There are so many scriptures about women of power in the bible and women in power and in this article, I mention only a few.
The Bible talks about women who were leaders of nations (e.g. Deborah), women warriors (e.g Jael), women in business (e.g. Lydia), women managers (e.g. Joanna), women in high positions (e.g. Queen of Sheba), wealthy women (e.g. The Shunamite woman), women musicians (e.g. Miriam), prayerful women (e.g. Queen Esther), women who were worshippers and even women in the prophetic ministry.
As women, we were not meant to take the backseat but to influence destinies. I hope that this will encourage you to find your purpose in life.
I also recommend that you read about the power of a woman in the bible.
Women Of Power In The Bible
1. The Queen of Sheba in 1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of Sheba, was one of the women of power in the bible. The Bible says that when she heard about Solomon’s fame and his relationship with God, she went to test him with hard questions.
She even gave him gold, spices, and precious stones and the bible also says that never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to Solomon.
“When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the Lord, she came to test Solomon with hard questions. Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.” 1 Kings 10:1-5, 10
2. Mary Magdalene who was rich in John 12:3-5
Mary Magdalene was also a woman of power in the bible. She is said to have anointed Jesus with perfume which is worth a year’s wages. This means that she was a wealthy woman and she was good at investing and saving money.
“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” John 12:3-5
The Bible also says that Mary was part of the women who financially supported the ministry of Jesus.
“and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Luke 8:2-3
3. Joanna who managed the king’s household in Luke 8:1-3
The Bible says that Joanna the wife of Chuza was the manager of Herod’s household. This means that she was in a position of power as she managed the household of the king.
“and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Luke 8:2-3
4. Deborah the leader, prophet and judge in Judges 4:4-14
Deborah a woman, was a prophet and even a leader of Israel. God had vested upon her so much power.
“Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.” Judges 4:4-5
She would hear from God and command men on how they should fight. And she also went with the men to battle, meaning that she was a fearless woman of power and a warrior.
She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’” Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. Judges 6-9
The Bible further says Deborah had so much authority and she was able to encourage people to fight that is why Judges 5:7 says, “Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.”
5. Miriam the leader, musician and prophet in Exodus 15:20-21
Another woman of power was Miriam, the sister of Aaron and Moses. The Bible says that she lead all the women in praise. This means that she was a leader because all the women followed her and she used her voice to serve in ministry.
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.” Exodus 15:20-21
6. Lydia an entrepreneur and worshiper in Acts 16:14-15
Lydia was also one of the women of power also spoken about in the bible. The Bible says that she sold purple cloth and she was also a worshiper. She also accommodated Paul at her house.
This means that Lydia was a business woman with her own assets.
“One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.” Acts 16:14-15
7. The Shunamite woman who was wealthy in 2 Kings 4:8-13
Another woman of power in the bible was the Shunamite woman who persuaded Elisha to eat at her home when he was around the area. The Bible says that she was a well-to-do, notable, or wealthy woman.
One day she even convinced her husband that they should build a room for Elisha on the roof so that he can sleep there whenever he is around.
When Elisha wanted to thank her for her effort, he even said that he could speak to the king on her behalf. But she said to him that there was no need, meaning that she was sorted.
This woman was so powerful because even a powerful man of God would choose to stay at her home. And because of this, Elisha prayed for her to have a child since she was barren.
“One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.” Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’” She replied, “I have a home among my own people.” 2 Kings 4:8-10, 13
Read more: 20 Bible verses about being a good wife
8. Queen Esther who reversed a decree in the book of Esther
Queen Esther already had the highest position of being a queen. When there was a decree that the Jews should be destroyed, Mordecai asked her to step in and speak to the king.
Esther said that the king has not called her in over 30 days meaning that she felt like her power was gone although she was queen.
She then advised all the Jews to fast for her while she also fasted so that she can go to the king.
This means that although she was a woman of power, she trusted the highest power which was the power of prayer and fasting.
And because she did this, she found favor before the king and she was able to reverse the decree.
“Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15-16
“If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces.
Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.” Esther 8:5,8
