Including all the women in the Bible—named and unnamed—makes the list extensive. Here’s a detailed attempt to list them chronologically, encompassing named women and notable unnamed ones with roles or stories.
List of Women in the Bible in Chronological Order
Genesis
- Eve – First woman, wife of Adam (Genesis 2–4).
- Adah and Zillah – Wives of Lamech (Genesis 4:19).
- Naamah – Sister of Tubal-Cain (Genesis 4:22).
- Sarai/Sarah – Wife of Abraham, mother of Isaac (Genesis 11–23).
- Hagar – Sarah’s maidservant, mother of Ishmael (Genesis 16).
- Lot’s Wife – Turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26).
- Lot’s Daughters – Mothers of the Moabites and Ammonites (Genesis 19).
- Rebekah – Wife of Isaac, mother of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 24–27).
- Leah – First wife of Jacob (Genesis 29–30).
- Rachel – Beloved wife of Jacob, mother of Joseph and Benjamin (Genesis 29–35).
- Bilhah – Rachel’s maidservant, mother of Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30).
- Zilpah – Leah’s maidservant, mother of Gad and Asher (Genesis 30).
- Dinah – Daughter of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 34).
- Tamar (Judah’s Daughter-in-law) – Disguised herself as a prostitute to secure offspring (Genesis 38).
- Potiphar’s Wife – Attempted to seduce Joseph (Genesis 39).
Exodus
- Jochebed – Mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (Exodus 2).
- Miriam – Sister of Moses, prophetess (Exodus 2, 15; Numbers 12).
- Pharaoh’s Daughter – Rescued and adopted Moses (Exodus 2).
- Zipporah – Wife of Moses, daughter of Jethro (Exodus 2; 4).
Leviticus and Numbers
- Shelomith – Mother of the blasphemer (Leviticus 24:10).
- The Daughters of Zelophehad – Advocated for inheritance rights (Numbers 27).
Joshua
- Rahab – Canaanite prostitute who helped Israelite spies (Joshua 2; 6).
Judges
- Deborah – Judge and prophetess (Judges 4–5).
- Jael – Killed Sisera with a tent peg (Judges 4).
- The Woman of Timnah – Samson’s first wife (Judges 14).
- Delilah – Betrayed Samson for money (Judges 16).
- The Levite’s Concubine – Victim of abuse, leading to conflict (Judges 19).
Ruth
- Naomi – Mother-in-law of Ruth (Ruth 1–4).
- Ruth – Moabite woman, married Boaz, ancestor of David (Ruth 1–4).
1 Samuel
- Hannah – Mother of Samuel, known for her prayer (1 Samuel 1–2).
- Peninnah – Rival wife to Hannah (1 Samuel 1).
- Michal – Daughter of Saul, wife of David (1 Samuel 18).
- Abigail – Wise wife of Nabal, later married David (1 Samuel 25).
2 Samuel
- Tamar (David’s Daughter) – Victim of rape by Amnon (2 Samuel 13).
- Bathsheba – Wife of Uriah, later married David; mother of Solomon (2 Samuel 11–12).
1 Kings
- The Queen of Sheba – Visited Solomon to test his wisdom (1 Kings 10).
- Jezebel – Wicked queen, wife of Ahab (1 Kings 16–21).
2 Kings
- Athaliah – Usurping queen who killed royal heirs (2 Kings 11).
- Huldah – Prophetess consulted about the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22).
Esther
- Vashti – Disposed queen of Persia (Esther 1).
- Esther – Jewish queen who saved her people (Book of Esther).
Gospels
- Elizabeth – Mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1).
- Mary (Mother of Jesus) – Central figure in Jesus’ birth narrative (Luke 1–2).
- Anna – Prophetess who recognized Jesus as the Messiah (Luke 2).
- The Samaritan Woman – Met Jesus at the well (John 4).
- The Woman with the Issue of Blood – Healed by touching Jesus’ garment (Mark 5).
- Martha and Mary – Sisters who hosted Jesus, Lazarus’ siblings (Luke 10; John 11).
- Mary Magdalene – Witness to Jesus’ resurrection (Luke 8; John 20).
- The Syrophoenician Woman – Asked Jesus to heal her daughter (Mark 7).
- The Widow of Nain – Whose son Jesus resurrected (Luke 7).
Acts and Epistles
- Priscilla – Early Christian teacher with Aquila (Acts 18).
- Lydia – First European convert to Christianity (Acts 16).
- Dorcas (Tabitha) – Known for good works; resurrected by Peter (Acts 9).
- Phoebe – A deaconess commended by Paul (Romans 16:1).
Conclusion
The Bible presents a rich list of women, each playing unique roles in God’s unfolding plan throughout history. From Eve, the first woman, to Phoebe, the deaconess in the early church, these women reflect diverse experiences, challenges, and contributions—ranging from acts of courage and faith to moments of weakness and sin.
They were mothers, wives, leaders, prophets, queens, and disciples, shaping biblical history in profound ways. Their stories teach valuable lessons about faith, resilience, obedience, wisdom, and redemption. Together, they illustrate that God works through all people, regardless of gender or status, to fulfill His divine purposes. This inclusive narrative of women enriches the Bible’s message of love, grace, and salvation for all.