Gender Bias in the Bible? Yeah, but wait…
Is the Bible gender biased? Are there examples in the Bible which confirm that God does not have a bias among the sexes? I have struggled with these questions and have found hope ultimately in the example Jesus gave in how he treated both sexes when he walked the earth. Reading Pragya Agarwal’s book Sway: Unveiling Unconscious Bias, unearthed some of the struggles I have had regarding bias, specifically gender bias. Agrawal, a behavioral scientist, writes to address current issues related to bias. Her goal is to “view our contemporary society through a lens that enables us to reflect on and consider the forces that shape us.” [1] In this blog I will draw from Agarwal’s current text as well as verses from the Old Testament which will support the view that God does not wish for there to be bias among the sexes. I believe that the Bible has been a force to shape us and should continue to be a primary shaper of our lives. There are four verses in the book of Joshua where we find a strong relationship between a daughter and her father; this relationship provides a beacon of hope for how God views the relationship between the genders.
Bias in the Bible
It can be argued that the Bible reveals bias as men are primary characters and there are more books in the Bible written by men. It is important to maintain a historical/ancient lens when reading the Bible. Lindsey Freeman in her book Bible Women reports “1.2 percent of the words of the Bible are said by women,” and there are two ways that this sum can be viewed. We might choose to stomp off in anger and throw the Bible to the curb or we can “pay more attention to what the verbal minority says.”[2]
Even if we give the minority a voice, it is difficult to find the female voice in the text when men lead in Scripture. Agarwal, in her discussion on academic writing, states:
“Male firstness is not an overt but a more latent (unconscious) form of gender bias– a stronger and more harmful form of sexism than that which is easily recognized and explicit. Seeing male firstness in texts also reinforces the implicit bias that men are more important and have to be given a premium position.” [3]
My argument would be, there is value in the role women played in the Biblical text. Women may not come first, but they come on the scene in poignant and powerful ways. It is Mary who Jesus listens to at the wedding, before he performs the first miracle, turning water to wine (John 2:1-11). It is Abigail who intervenes in the high stakes conflict between King David and the insolent Nabal (I Samuel 25:24-25). It is a servant girl who speaks up and provides a way for Naaman to receive healing (2 Kings 5:2-4). What importance is there in being first when having a powerful and meaningful role is greater?
Bias Destroyed in the context of healthy relationship
In a quick four verses (Joshua 15:15-19), bias must be reevaluated. Achsah is Caleb’s daughter, and their relationship is not characteristic of the stereotypes of ancient Biblical times. Here is an account of the four verses:
12 And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Achsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.” Othniel, son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it; so, Caleb gave his daughter Achsah to him in marriage. 14 One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?”15 She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So, Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.”
Caleb, the father in this story, has an incredible history as a proven leader among the Israelites. Caleb had been the one to silence all of Israel and had the boldness to sound a rallying cry to defeat the enemies of Israel (Numbers 13:30). Caleb’s one and only daughter had been raised by this fearless conqueror. Freeman describes Achsah– “Her bravery and willingness to speak up for herself are traits she shares with her father, Caleb.”[4] Achsah had wanted her husband to speak up and ask for land as an inheritance, but she ended up using her own voice. Was Achsah in a vulnerable position in asking? Vulnerability can be defined as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.” [5] Trust and freedom in communication must have been characteristic of Achsah’s and Caleb’s relationship for her to request a piece of land with high value (land with springs). Caleb asked her directly, “What can I do for you?” and this gave her reassurance that she could ask what she pleased. This kind of confidence in being heard might be described like the psalmist who cries out to God and knows that his request will be attended to. Brueggemann describes this well: “Self-announcement counts only if it is addressed to someone in whom there is confidence of being taken with utmost seriousness. Utmost seriousness on the part of God grounds this daring, unrestrained speech of the self who is ready to risk full exposure.”[6] Achsah did not feel overly vulnerable if she knew her caring father was a faithful listener.
Thank you, Achsah and Caleb
Caleb was willing to give two springs as an inheritance, going against the norms of his culture where the sons typically received the best or first of what the father would give. Achsah was a daughter and came after three males in her family. It can be assumed that Achsah had a healthy self-concept, so possibly this close familial bias between father and daughter might make Argawal reconsider this: “We are reluctant to re-evaluate our beliefs and like to believe that we are all egalitarian and carry no biases. Biases are linked to our notion of self-concept and self-identity, which is why it is often so difficult to shake them off.[7] The relationship between Caleb and Achsah allowed for a free interchange between them. Caleb had confidence in his daughter and trusted her with what he gave her. Men typically were given control and authority, but not in this case– Achsah was given the land. Aragwal states, there is a “gender authority dichotomy (creating) a generalized belief that men are better at controlling resources and should have access to more authority.[8] Caleb puts the gender authority dichotomy to rest as he puts resources and authority in Achahs hands, more than she asks for.
Bible reframed
At first glance, the Bible may appear to be biased, favoring men. I hope this blog has helped to take a second look at this bias. I hope a quick response won’t be the one that is held on to when looking at the four verses in Joshua 15:15-19. “Immediate responses have their place, but they will never replace deep thought (and problems that become reframed) through reconsideration of our deepest assumptions and biases.” [9] It would be a great loss to not consider what the Bible might share with us, even if it is just four verses.
[1] Pragya Agarwal Sway: Unveiling Unconscious Bias, 2020, p.23
[2] Lindsey Hardin Freeman, Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter, 2014, p.9
[3] Pragya Agarwal, p.209
[4] Lindsey Hardin Freeman, p.114
[5] Brene Brown, Daring Greatly, p.34
[6] Walter Brueggemann, The Bible and Mental Health: Truth Telling as Well-Making Chapter 8, 2020, p.109
[7] Pragya Agarwal, p.13
[8] Ibid. p.221
[9] Daniel Patrick Forrester, Consider: Harnessing the Power of Reflective Thinking in Your Organization, 2011, p.10
About the Author
Kristy Newport
7 responses to “Gender Bias in the Bible? Yeah, but wait…”
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Kristy,
Thank you for your post. I think it’s pretty amazing that the first person Jesus verbally said that He was the Messiah was a woman. Photina (lady at the well, John 4) became a great Evangelist and leading a team down into Crown Tooth of Africa.
We also know from Church history there was many women Apostles and Prophets that ministered in the early church. It is unfortunate that many denominations have used Paul’s letter to Timothy to correct a certain problem in Ephesus and used it at global level that women are cannot have a place of spiritual authority.
I strongly believe that a woman or wife can be in loving submission to her husband and wield the power and authority of God from the pulpit. God looks at the heart.
You are a blessing Kristy.
Kristy, What a great post. There are so many nuggets that caught my attention. I love how you highlighted the story or Achsah and Caleb to talk about the special relationship between father and daughter. Does this topic that you have highlighted about gender bias or Agarwal’s theme, in general, on implicit bias, intersect with your NPO in any way?
Jenny,
Thank you for your thoughts and question.
I believe Agarwal’s work relates to my NPO. What comes to my mind is the story of Mary who comes to the home of Simon (a leader in the church) and begins to wash Jesus feet with her tears. Jesus asks the men around him- “Do you see this woman?” I believe Jesus was wanting to reveal to them the bias that they had in their hearts….bias against women/and or those with sinful (sexual sin). When Jesus asks questions, He is raising awareness of the sin in each of our hearts. This is one purpose of His asking questions.
Thx Jenny
Awesome post, Kristy! What a great topic and your post is loaded with fantastic sources and areas to dive into. For the sake of a small reply box, I want to comment on the overall gender bias in the Bible. I agree it can appear to be extremely sexist and many things are often taken out of context but I think it’s important to go back to Jesus in any controversial situation. Was he gender biased? no. Did he have women in his crew? Yes. Did many great women emerge from his teaching and help build the church? Yes. Jesus is the center of the Bible and the best example we could ever have on any controversial subject.
Thanks for the great post and perspective.
Kristy – Thanks for bringing the best resource of to help us live well (The Bible). God as the creator of all can best help us love them all. I agree with you “It would be a great loss to not consider what the Bible might share with us, even if it is just for verses”.
Kristy! Amazing post… I wonder: How can we ensure we are looking at the Bible in a balanced way that takes into account both our possible biases and potential insights?
Alana,
I am intrigued by your question!!
Would you mind sharing what you were thinking/context to this question? or, Give me an example of how you think this might be possible?
As I think about this…I believe seeing the Bible in light of the history and cultural frames it was written in are important.