Women’s Rights and the Bible

"Richard Heirs has offered us a persuasive account of the view of women in the Bible, with special attention to the Old Testament. He focuses on the Old Testament because . . . the Christian community . . . has addressed this issue almost exclusively from a New Testament perspective. He argues that the overarching perspective of the biblical law is that women should be treated equally and fairly. His work is well researched, balanced, and integrative. This volume is timely, given the current discussion of women's rights."

--Duncan Ferguson

Retired Professor of Religious Studies, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida

author, Exploring the Spirituality of the World Religions(2010)



"Using a comprehensive catalogue of biblical evidence . . . , Richard Hiers successfully demonstrates that women's role in Old Testament times was more powerful, and their legal rights more secure, than the common wisdom would suggest. Modern advocates for women's rights worldwide should find this text helpful in setting straight the historical record on legal protections for women."

--Marie Failinger

Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Law and Religion

Professor of Law, Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota



"Once again, Richard Hiers . . . demonstrates the persisting pertinence of biblical writings--specifically the Old Testament--to our times. Drawing on specializations in both biblical studies and American law, he focuses on the precise status of women in these ancient texts. Granting exceptions, he finds the vast preponderance of the evidence portrays women as equal to men in cultural significance and legal standing. His sharp conclusion: we have yet in the modern age to meet that high standard."

--Douglas Sturm

Presidential Professor Emeritus of Religion and Political Science, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Former President, Society of Christian Ethics