Hidden Women of the Bible: Shiphrah, Puah, Rahab, and Phoebe
When we think about the most important people in the Bible, most of us were taught the stories of men: Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, Paul. But women have always been part of God’s story. In this episode we highlight three women in scripture whose courage and leadership helped shape the story of God’s people—women whose stories are often overlooked or reduced to a single line. You’ll meet: Shiphrah and Puah, the Hebrew midwives who resisted Pharaoh’s command to kill Hebrew baby boys and helped make the Exodus story possible. Rahab, the courageous woman in Jericho who protected the Israelite spies and negotiated safety for her family. Phoebe, a deacon of the early church who likely carried—and may have been the first to interpret—Paul’s letter to the Romans. Together, these women remind us that God has always been working through women: through courage, resistance, leadership, and faith. In honor of International Women’s Day, this episode invites us to read scripture a little more closely and rediscover the women who were there all along. Scripture Referenced: Exodus 1:15–21 Joshua 2 Romans 16:1–2 Matthew 1 (Genealogy of Jesus) Books for further reading: A Womanist Midrash and The Womanist Lectionary by Wilda C. Gafney — powerful retellings and interpretations of biblical stories through a womanist lens. Books by Claire K. McKeever-Burgett, including Blessed Are the Women and In the Beginning Were the Women which explore the stories and theological significance of women in scripture. Books by Alice Connor, including Brave and Fierce , which highlight bold women of the Bible and the ways their stories still inspire faith today. Connect with us: Website: moveyourfaith.org Subscribe to our weekly devotional: Embody Faith Instagram: @faithinmotion.pod and @pastorkelseyb Support our ministry: moveyourfaith.org/give