a woman who lives with a man, and has relations with him, but has a lower status than his wife or wives

the scattering of communities of Jews outside of ancient Israel after exile

the removal of people or a person from their homeland

an ancient empire where many Jews were living after exile from ancient Israel

a society or culture where men generally hold positions of power and authority

The Book of Esther

Religious education

In this unit pupils will take a hermenutical reading of scripture to assess the status of women in the Bible. Through a series of key stories they will analyse how women are portrayed and how these stories have been interpreted and re-interpreted over the centuries.

Matriarchs: are the women of the Bible victors or victims?

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

References to forced marriage, violence against women and girls.

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

The Book of Esther is a biblical story set in ...

The Jewish {{}} refers to the communities of Jews living outside of the land of ancient Israel following exile. 

Esther, a Jew, was taken to be a __________ for King Xerxes and was then promoted to his wife. 

reasoned with Haman, who agreed to stop it.

When Esther heard of Haman's plot, she ...

The term {{}} is formed from words meaning 'father' and 'to rule'.

they were of lower status than their male companion's wives.

Feminist theologians interpret the concubines named in the Bible, with the exception of Esther, as victims because ...

The story of Deborah is told in the Old Testament part of the Bible, in the Book of {{}}.

In the Israelites' battle against an enemy army, the final blow of the battle was delivered by {{}}.

A complementarian would view men and women as {{}} one another. 

An egalitarian would view men and women as being {{}} in the eyes of God.

Dr Sandy Richter is an example of someone who holds an {{}} view about women and men in the Church.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz