Here’s a list of the ten most infamous women in the Bible, known for their wicked or morally complex actions:
- Jezebel – Known for promoting idol worship in Israel, manipulating her husband, King Ahab, and persecuting God’s prophets (1 Kings 16-21).
- Delilah – Betrayed Samson by revealing the secret of his strength to the Philistines, leading to his capture (Judges 16).
- Herodias – Conspired with her daughter toh have John the Baptist beheaded after he condemned her unlawful marriage to King Herod (Mark 6:17-29).
- Athaliah – The queen mother who seized power in Judah by killing her own grandchildren, attempting to eliminate the Davidic line (2 Kings 11).
- Potiphar’s Wife – Falsely accused Joseph of assault after he refused her advances, leading to his imprisonment (Genesis 39).
- Michal – Though she was King David’s wife, she mocked him for dancing before the Lord, showing a lack of respect for his devotion (2 Samuel 6:16-23).
- Lot’s Daughters – In a morally complex story, they got their father drunk and had children by him, attempting to preserve their family line (Genesis 19:30-38).
- Gomer – Though not wicked per se, her story of infidelity in the book of Hosea symbolizes unfaithfulness, mirroring Israel’s disloyalty to God (Hosea 1-3).
- The Witch of Endor – Consulted by King Saul to summon the spirit of Samuel, leading to his downfall by violating God’s command against witchcraft (1 Samuel 28).
- Sapphira – Alongside her husband Ananias, she lied about a donation to the early church, which led to her sudden death as divine punishment (Acts 5:1-11).
These stories serve as lessons on the consequences of disobedience, manipulation, and turning away from God’s commands, each with a unique context in biblical history.