An Evaluation of the Old Testament Women Against the Ideal Woman in Proverbs

Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. A Critical Observation on Proverbs 31:10-31. 3. An Evaluation of Abigail, and Michal and their Relationship with their Husbands. 4. An Evaluation of Miriam and Deborah’s Leadership. 5. An Evaluation of Jael and Rizpah and their Sacrificial Care. 6. Conclusion and Implications. Bibliography.

The scholarly work is meant to provide a platform for debates on Proverbs 31:10-31 as to whether this oracle describes: i) the tangible, feasible characteristics that wives should embody; ii) the epitome, the pristine principle of what wives should symbolize; iii) the personification of wisdom to which wives should attain. This present study critically examines the ideal woman/wife in the concerned Proverb along with selected OT women to yield results that will contribute to a better understanding of what it meant to be a biblically ideal wife.