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5 Inspiring Stories of Single Woman in the Bible and How They Reveal God's Heart

8/5/2022

17 Comments

 
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When I was a girl, the women in my life who were mentors and role models were women who had gotten married by the end of their twenties. They were wives and moms, and this shaped the examples they set for me of being a godly woman.

My life has looked different from their’s, as I’m now 30 and still single. Through all these years of singleness, I haven’t had many examples of what it looks like to be a single godly woman.
I desire to make a difference with my life. I desire to live with purpose. I desire to walk in God’s plans for me.

But there are times when I wonder if my singleness is a hinderance to me truly doing so.

I’m sure many of us have been told that singleness is a gift, a season in which we have “extra” time and energy, in which we are “free” from worries and constraints, in which we can live more fully devoted to the Lord and more focused on building His Kingdom.

And yet, while I wholeheartedly believe singleness is a gift, when we don’t have many examples of single women living this devoted life, when our culture portrays romance as the ultimate form of love, when our family and friends show more interest in our relationship status than other areas of our lives, when the church shrinks godly womanhood to only being a wife and mother, we can feel unqualified and inadequate in our singleness for participating in the Body of Christ and truly making a difference in God’s Kingdom.

And maybe we wonder, Do we as single women really have a place? A place in God’s plan, in God’s family, in God’s heart?

In answer to these wonderings, I’ve found encouragement from the stories of women in the Bible - single women in the Bible!

In their stories, we find examples of godly womanhood in singleness and we see God’s heart for single women: His heart that pursues us in love, that includes us in His plan, that values our presence, and that empowers us to be the women He created us to be.

Single Woman in the Bible

The (*) indicates women whose marital status is unknown or debated. Yet in Scripture, there is no reference to them being married. In a time and culture when a woman’s status was often determined by whose daughter or wife she was, I think it’s telling that the Biblical writers don’t include information about a spouse even if there was one; it conveys that these women (and all women) have significance beyond their relationship status.

Miriam*

Exodus 2:1-10; Exodus 15:19-21; Numbers 12:1-16, 20:1; Micah 6:4
We first meet Miriam as a girl, standing on the banks of the Nile, watching over her brother Moses, who was placed in basket in the river in hopes of hiding him from certain death. When Pharaoh’s daughter finds the baby, Miriam bravely speaks up and offers to find a wet nurse for him.

The Exodus narrative continues to follow Moses’ life, but when we fast forward 80 years, we meet Miriam again. This time, she is standing on the banks of the Red Sea, having helped her brothers lead the Israelites through its parted waters as they escape Pharaoh’s army and slavery in Egypt.

In celebration, Miriam, who is known as a prophet among her people, leads the other women in songs of worship.

Miriam had her imperfections. At one time, in prejudice and jealousy, she spoke against Moses as God’s chosen leader and his choice of a wife. Because of her sin, she was punished, and because of God's grace, she was forgiven.

In Micah, God names Miriam right alongside Moses and Aaron as one He sent to lead His people out of slavery and into a new life of freedom.

Zelophehad's Daughters

​Numbers 26:33, 27:1-11, 36:1-11
​The story of Zelophehad’s daughters is short, yet it’s one of my favorites!

Zelophehad had 5 daughters and no sons. At the time of his death, none of his daughters were married. This was during a time when the inheritance was traditionally passed from father to son.

Yet this didn't stop the daughters from going to Moses and the other leaders, saying, “Why should our father's name disappear from his clan because he has no son? Give us property among our father's relatives.”

So Moses brought their case before the Lord, and God replied, “What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance and turn their father's inheritance over to them.”

Because of these women’s boldness, they received their inheritance, and God gave the Israelites new laws that would provide for future women who found themselves in similar situations.

Martha & Mary of Bethany

​Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-44; John 12:1-8
​Martha and Mary were sisters who often get compared to each other. But I think we’re better served not to look at them in relation to one another, but to instead look at their relationships with Jesus.

Scripture speaks of Martha as a woman of generous hospitality, who regularly opened her home and served meals to Jesus and His disciples. When the stress of hosting got to be overwhelming, Jesus affirmed that He saw Martha in her frustration and worries and reminded her that he didn’t need perfect performance; her presence with Him was enough.

Mary was commended by Jesus on two occasions for her devotion: once when she defied cultural expectations to sit at His feet and listen to His teaching; and once when she poured out her best perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet in worship and adoration.

Both women received comfort from Jesus when their brother died, and both witnessed Jesus raise that some brother to life again.

Mary Magdalene*

​Matthew 27:55-61, 28:1-11; Mark 15:40-47, 16:1-11; Luke 8:1-3, 24:1-11; John 19:25, 20:1-18
​The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Mary Magdalene’s past, but we do know that after Jesus freed her from seven demons (this could mean literal demonic oppression or symbolize some form of illness), she became one of His followers. She is named among other women who financially supported Jesus out of their own means.

Along with other women, Mary stayed near the cross as Jesus died, saw His body buried, and went to the tomb to anoint His body on the third day, finding it empty with the stone rolled away.

Mary Magdalene was the first person Jesus appeared to after He rose from the dead, and He entrusted her with sharing the good news of His resurrection with His other disciples.

Lydia*

Acts 16:12-15, 16:40
We meet Lydia only once in the Bible, when she meets Paul and his companions. These men have traveled to Philippi and go to the river to find a place of prayer. They begin speaking with the women who had gathered there, sharing the gospel.

One of those listening is Lydia. She is a dealer in purple clothe - a businesswoman, and more than likely a successful one.

Her heart is receptive to the gospel, and after she and her household are baptized, she opens her home to Paul and his companions, and her home becomes the gathering place for the new church in Philippi.

These are just 5 stories of single women we find in Scripture. (I was originally going to write about 10!)

These women encountered the love and power and grace of God, and by His love and power and grace they participated in His body and made a difference in His Kingdom.

And by His love and power and grace, so can you.

Sources:

Women & Christianity Vol. 1 by Mary T. Malone
The Many Facets of Miriam
​Who was Mary Magdalene?
Was Lydia a Leader of the Church in Philippi?
​Mary and Martha: Sitting at the Feet of Jesus
17 Comments
Erica Anderson
11/8/2023 08:00:26 am

Thank you for sharing this. As a woman in my late 30s, not constantly surrounded by single Godly women, it has been difficult. Constantly asked when it's my turn. When my husband is coming? Children? I just pray for peace in this time and encouragement because I feel as if I'm losing myself. But I am constantly reminded I have God when I start to lose control which is more often than not I hate to say. All the lobe sister and God bless

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Vicki Campbell
1/9/2024 06:57:41 am

This article resonated with me. As a sister in Christ of “seasoned” age and never having married, I am often perplexed by the church’s lack of recognition of single women as capable ambassadors for Christ. A recent missed opportunity encouraged ladies in church that they’re never too old, but by inference we may be “too single”. I don’t get it. But Lord bless you for your sharing and for encouraging the rest of us.

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T
2/10/2024 11:17:26 am

Vicki, well stated. As a "seasoned" single woman(not widowed or divorcee) believer in Christ, I am often sadden by church's, lack of support for single women and recognition that as you stated we are capable ambassadors for Jesus Christ.

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Shea
3/1/2024 03:11:07 pm

Thank so very much for this article! I was looking for some biblical references for single women for a Christian conference for single women that I'm coordinating because I'm single and because of many of the reasons you listed I know many of us experience. This article was an answer to prayer. I'm going to do a deeper study on each of these women and maybe I'll find the other five ;-). Blessings to you my sister in Christ.

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Janet Haskin
6/1/2024 11:35:33 pm

An “old spinster” myself, I’m so very grateful to my dear Savior for Corrie Ten Boom. Her life has given me great hope! I’ve always felt persecuted as a single woman, having never married! Most people think you’re queer or something! But, PTL, God knows better!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

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Brooke
12/9/2024 09:33:37 pm

Thanks for writing this Jessica! This is encouraging! When I read 1 Cor 7 a couple weeks ago I see that being single serving the Lord is the greater gift. It is sad that the church puts marriage and bearing children so high. Really if the truth was taught can you imagine how many people would be affective in the kingdom! Wow!!

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Monette
12/31/2024 08:14:34 pm

Thank you for this great reminder. Many times when we look around us, especially the world, we forget what the Word of God says about being a single lady. Thank you and God bless you.

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Sharon Raines
3/20/2025 08:18:11 am

I am 65 years old and about to retire. I come from a family w/5 siblings, whose father died when we were all under 5 yrs old. All of them are married or with mate for over 10 years. I am the only one who has never dated ( unless you count 3 days) and never married. At my church, there are so many single women and few eligible men. Most functions are for youth, men or married couples. I gues to encourage them to keep coming. I realize we are strong. I want to thank you for opening my eyes to my own self thoughts and set backs. I want to use these words to encourage our single women.

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Jessica Faith link
5/13/2025 01:51:58 pm

I'm so glad this post encouraged you, Sharon! And I think it's so beautiful and awesome that you want to encourage single women at your church! We definitely need women who have gained the wisdom that comes with age to disciple younger women!

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Queen
4/12/2025 10:50:00 am

I am very encouraged by this write up because I am single. I am above 50. Though not bothered about it because I believe if you have Christ, you have everything. I want to live out my life serving him, though in African culture, single women are looked down upon.

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Jessica Faith link
5/13/2025 01:52:56 pm

You said it beautifully: if you have Christ, you have everything. Amen!

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Miriam Macharis link
5/7/2025 08:50:53 am

Thank you and praise the Lord. Am so much encouraged by articles on single ladies in the bible. I am 66 years old.When I was a young single mother of three, I was given an honour to be the single ladies ministry in our church. We did exploit by bringing singles to the Lord.The 5 daughters of Zelophehads in Numbers 26:33 became our motto that we have a place in all families and churches. Thank you thank

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Jessica Faith link
5/13/2025 01:54:08 pm

Thank you for ministering to single women in your church!

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NOVA LEWIS
5/12/2025 03:58:18 pm

As a divorcee for over 10 years, it just seems hard when other especially believer asked what are you waiting for to get married. Without understanding that waiting on God for your purpose partner requires being healed and be patient.

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Jessica Faith link
5/13/2025 01:56:17 pm

That is hard. You can trust the Lord's timing, and even as you wait on Him, you can still live with purpose and joy in Him!

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Rachel Nichols
5/13/2025 11:23:43 am

But Zelophahad's five daughters got married. Moses ordered them to only marry men from their father's tribe to keep the family inheritance where it belonged.
In today's church, single women over a certain age are not welcome. What can we do to bring about the Kingdom of God? Nothing. Worthless. As a childless single of 51 I believe God hates me and has me under a curse. What good are single women who can't have kids? Answer: We have no value at all. Worthless, leftover trash.
God deliberately created us as to be unlovable, ugly trash to glorify Himself by throwing away into the fire forever.
I am not a part of Christ's body. Not a part of His bride. Jesus NEVER loved me at all!! All the Christian men rejected me because God wanted them to show how much He Himself has always hated me. Just like His Son hates and rejected me.
I was sitting crying alone one day, asking why God gives families and blessings to my friends but nothing to me. My life is empty, painful and lonely. Suddenly I realized the answer. God loves them and hates me. For no apparent reason I can think of. God hates my guts no matter what because He formed me to be a Vessel of Wrath. This makes so much sense of my horrible life. If a woman is deformed or hideous that may be a sign that God rejected her as His child. God prefers beautiful women without blemishes whom He will send men to marry since their beauty proves how beloved by God they are. This will allow them to have children and serve God as He prefers women serve Him. Godly wives and mothers. If He makes a woman hopelessly ugly that shows He doesn't want her in His church or Heaven.

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Jessica Faith link
5/13/2025 02:30:32 pm

Rachel, I'm so sorry you're feeling worthless and unloved.
But even though you're feeling that way, it's not true. You have worth and you are loved because God created you in His image to have a relationship with Him.
Those beliefs that God hates you and created you as trash and throws you away are based on lies, not on the truth of the God's Word, the Bible. God is love, and HE LOVES YOU. In His Word, the Bible, He tells us this over and over and over.
The proof of His love isn't in whether or not we get married or have children, but in that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead to give us new life in Him, so that we could have a relationship with Him forever as His bride.
If you "confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead" you are saved. You are not rejected, but accepted by God. You are not an orphan, but a daughter of God. You are not under wrath, but under His grace.

I am praying that God will give you an assurance of His love and grace for you, and that He will bring people into your life who show you His love, who welcome you in, and who encourage you.

Here are some blog posts that talk more about our worth and identity in Christ as single women:

http://www.theoverflowing.com/blog/already-whole-why-being-single-doesnt-mean-youre-inferior-or-incomplete

http://www.theoverflowing.com/blog/redefining-single-how-your-identity-in-christ-changes-singleness-from-less-than-to-abundant

http://www.theoverflowing.com/blog/3-truths-about-your-worth-as-a-single-woman

http://www.theoverflowing.com/blog/a-new-creation-how-to-have-confidence-in-your-identity-in-christ-when-youre-just-not-feeling-it

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