The Old Testament names over 120 women and, without naming them, refers specifically to more than another 33,650. Besides bearing children, through their courage, risk, prayer, and initiative, God used women in significant ways as his story progressed toward Christ.
We find role models and principles to apply from Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Elijah, Daniel, and others. God also gave us role models in women with principles to apply from Sarah, Hagar, Deborah, Naomi, Hannah, Abigail, and Esther, to name a few. Regarding Matthew’s genealogy of Christ, many have said the inclusion of women is unusual, which testifies either to our overlooking Old Testament women or not reading the genealogies carefully.
However, contrary to overlooking them, God used at least four women whose actions rescued the messianic line to Christ from extermination. Did you know a woman was first to express God’s immanence, and another was the first to reveal God’s principle of reversal? The Lord reveals he used unloved and oppressed women to accomplish plans throughout history. Although he does not excuse it, God even used the miscalculations of women of faith in his plans throughout history. In his desire to bless the world, the first recorded acts of Gentiles converting to him were women, and another woman’s words eventually led to the first recorded act of a male Gentile conversion. Were it not for the bold actions of two women, a couple men would be absent from the Hall of Fame of Faith in Hebrews 11. The greatest story ever told remains incomplete if we fail to highlight the contributions of the women of the Old Testament.
Join us as we explore the amazing stories of these Old Testament women and learn what God said through them. Criswell College will offer OTS 315/615, Topics in Old Testament: Women in the Old Testament, beginning January 22, 2026, on Thursday afternoons, 4:45–7:15 p.m. Dr. David Brooks, Senior Professor of Hebrew & Old Testament, and his team of 10 highly capable, female scholars will deliver some often-overlooked principles from the silenced voices of several dozen Old Testament women of faith.
Topics in Old Testament: Women in the Old Testament Brochure
The College welcomes visitors to this class at no cost. The class will meet in Room E208 on the second floor of the main building.
Parking is available in the lot between Bird and Junius Streets, next to the residence hall. Please enter the College through the Bird Street entrance. No key card is required for the West Entrance, which is closest to Hill Street.
From the Receptionist’s desk, turn right down the hallway. Off this hallway is another hall to the left that leads to a stairwell to the 2nd floor; or, at the end of the hallway is an elevator to the left and a stairwell on the right.
For parking and visitor information, please visit https://www.criswell.edu/life-at-criswell/housing-and-location/campus-safety/vehicle-parking-information/
or contact the College during our office hours Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., at (214) 821-5433.
As a part of Criswell College, the course will adhere to biblical inerrancy and authority, with close attention to detailed observation of grammatical, syntactical, literary, historical, and cultural content and contexts, as well as justifiable interpretation. Applications will be suggested, but Topics in Old Testament: Women in the Old Testament is an academic class, not a home Bible study, Sunday School class, or church service.
