Bible Verses

The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Women In Leadership

Created:
February 9, 2025
|
Updated:
February 14, 2025
|
Author:
Joseph Cox

Women have played significant roles in the Bible, often stepping into leadership positions that shaped history. This article brings together 50 Bible verses that highlight these moments.

From judges to prophets, these verses show the strength and wisdom of women in leadership. They offer a glimpse into how women have been pivotal in guiding and inspiring others.

50 Bible Verses About Women In Leadership

10 Bible Verses on Women In Leadership Roles

Exodus 15:20
  • "Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances." — Exodus 15:20
  • "Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment." — Judges 4:4-5
  • "Then David said to Abigail: 'Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand.'" — 1 Samuel 25:32-33
  • "So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter. And they spoke with her." — 2 Kings 22:14
  • "My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid." — Nehemiah 6:14
  • "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" — Esther 4:14
  • "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her

10 Bible Verses on Biblical Examples of Women Leaders

Miriam (Exodus 15:20)
  • "Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances." — Exodus 15:20
  • "Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment." — Judges 4:4-5
  • "Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died." — Judges 4:21
  • "So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter. And they spoke with her." — 2 Kings 22:14
  • "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" — Esther 4:14
  • "I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea." — Romans 16:1
  • "So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." — Acts 18:26
  • "Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, 'If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.' So she persuaded us." — Acts 16:14-15
  • "Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God."' Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her." — John 20:17-18
  • "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." — Romans 16:7

10 Bible Verses on Empowering Women In Leadership

Proverbs 31:25
  • "Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come." — Proverbs 31:25
  • "But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." — Isaiah 40:31
  • "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions." — Joel 2:28
  • "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." — Galatians 3:28
  • "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." — Ephesians 4:11-12
  • "Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control." — 1 Timothy 2:15
  • "When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also." — 2 Timothy 1:5
  • "And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life." — Philippians 4:3
  • "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." — 1 Peter 4:10
  • "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all." — 1 Corinthians 12:7

10 Bible Verses on Women In Leadership and Authority

Matthew 28:18-20
  • "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen." — Matthew 28:18-20
  • "After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, 'The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" — Luke 10:1-2
  • "But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: 'We ought to obey God rather than men.'" — Acts 5:29
  • "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach." — 1 Timothy 3:1-2
  • "The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." — Titus 2:3-5
  • "But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved." — 1 Corinthians 11:5
  • "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body." — Ephesians 5:22-23
  • "And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence." — 1 Timothy 2:12
  • "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." — Hebrews 13:17
  • "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols." — Revelation 2:20

10 Bible Verses on Women In Leadership in Ministry

Luke 2:36-38
  • "Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem." — Luke 2:36-38
  • "On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied." — Acts 21:8-9
  • "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." — Romans 12:6-8
  • "How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." — 1 Corinthians 14:26
  • "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." — 2 Corinthians 5:20
  • "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." — Ephesians 3:20
  • "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." — Colossians 3:23-24
  • "And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves." — 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
  • "The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth." — 2 John 1:1
  • "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." — Revelation 12:11

What Does the Bible Say About Women In Leadership

The Bible offers a rich tapestry of stories and teachings about women in leadership. These verses show that women have always been integral to God's plan, stepping into roles that require wisdom, courage, and faith. From prophets to judges, the Bible highlights the significant impact women have had in guiding and inspiring others.

One key theme is the strength and wisdom of women in leadership roles. Verses like Judges 4:4-5, which talk about Deborah judging Israel, and Proverbs 31:25, which describes a woman clothed in strength and honor, show that women have been trusted with great responsibilities. These examples encourage us to recognize and support the leadership qualities in the women around us.

Another theme is the empowerment of women through faith. Verses such as Galatians 3:28, which states that we are all one in Christ Jesus, and Joel 2:28, which speaks of daughters prophesying, highlight that spiritual gifts and leadership are not limited by gender. This reminds us to value and nurture the spiritual gifts in everyone, regardless of gender.

Lastly, the Bible also addresses the challenges women face in leadership. Verses like 1 Timothy 2:12, which restricts women from teaching or having authority over men, and Ephesians 5:22-23, which calls for wives to submit to their husbands, reflect the cultural context of the times. However, these verses also invite us to reflect on how we can support and uplift women in leadership today, balancing tradition with the call for equality and respect.

In summary, the Bible's teachings on women in leadership are both inspiring and challenging. They call us to recognize the strength, wisdom, and spiritual gifts of women, while also encouraging us to reflect on how we can better support and empower women in our communities. Let's take these lessons to heart and apply them in our daily lives.

How to Apply These Bible Verses About Women In Leadership

Applying Bible teachings about women in leadership to daily life is important. It helps us live out our faith and support the women around us.

  • Encourage women in your community by acknowledging their contributions and offering support.
  • Pray for wisdom and strength for women in leadership roles, both in your personal prayers and in group settings.
  • Adopt an inclusive attitude by valuing the opinions and ideas of women in your workplace, church, and social circles.
  • Read and discuss Bible verses about women in leadership with friends or family to deepen your understanding and inspire action.
  • Get involved in community programs that empower women, such as mentorship or volunteer opportunities.

Remember, God is always with us, guiding and supporting our efforts. Faith-driven actions can lead to real change. Explore more prayers and Bible verses on PrayersFor or use our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your faith.

Start Your Day with Faith and Inspiration!
Sign up to receive a daily prayer and Bible verse straight to your inbox. Begin each morning with words of hope and guidance.
Thank you! 🙏
Oops! Something went wrong, please try again.
OTHER RELATED PRAYERS & VERSES