why are women reflected in the bible as inferior to men?

Question

why has society taken on the role also? what is it about women that men feel the need to degrade us and use us as objects?

Answer 1

The Bible doesn't show we are "inferior". Rather it refers to us as 'weaker vessels' that must be honored, safeguarded & tenderly treated. In Biblical times, the term 'vessel' many times referred to clay pottery. The term 'weaker vessels' doesn't mean we are weaker in mind or heart, but rather like fine china, that must be treated kindly, with care.
In addition, many women in the Bible are shown to have done amazing & courageous deeds and were greatly respected. Many of them are included in the list of faithful ones that Paul refered to in his account at Hebrews chapter 11, as faithful people to remember, admire & imitate.
In the account in the book of Proverbs, where it lists the qualities of a fine wife, it also shows the amount of responsibilities she had within the family arrangement, as well as within society. Clearly, someone who was viewed as 'inferior', would not be given such dignities.
In Paul's counsel for families in the book of Ephesians, he stated that 'husbands must love their wives as themselves', and that any husband that did not do so was in danger of having his prayers hindered.
We can also see how God views women, by how Jesus treated them. He was very kind & compassionate to them.
Even in just these few examples, this certainly does not show that women were viewed as 'inferior', by those that were Christians, in the Bible.

Answer 2

It has to do with the time period in which it was written.

I would argue that society didn't take on this role, the role was already defined that way in society, which is why the bible was writen the way it was written.

As for your last comment about men, this is an over generalization. I can use the same argument related to women and say things like what is it about women that they feel men have to pay for everything or why is it that women always want men to do the heavy work. Neither of which are true but they are normal generalizations.

Also, as children, males are told over and over again you have to be the provider, you have to be the protector, you have to be the this or that and when you are of dating age if your not the strongest or the smartest or the best looking or something else you get rejected left and right.

And if you are strong and or hansome and or smart, girls will fall all over you no matter how you treat them, which teaches men that they can get away with anything they want because of their attributes.

And if your a average guy you get ticked off and start to treat women the same way, just for a different reason since being nice didn't work at all.

You want guys to be nicer. Say no to the hansome, rich, strong guys a few hundred times and try saying yes to some of the average guys.

I can't tell you the number of times I was told no I don't want to go out with you because your too nice. grrrr.

Guys are simple, and we like to think we are in control even when we are not. But we are the way we are due to years of crap.

Answer 3

The world may never know why women are portrayed that way in the Bible, I mean, it was written such a long time ago that we can't know everything about the authors' motives. But I'm pretty sure it was written by a man! LOL

Seriously, though. Throughout human history until the last couple of centuries, it sucked to be a woman. Women were susceptible to all kinds of illnesses, more so than men - many related to childbirth and pregnancy. We can cure most of those diseases now. But back then, they couldn't. Not to mention that women were too busy raising families and keeping house to educate themselves or distinguish themselves in the "civilized" arts.
So it's easy to see why they thought women were inferior and/or the "weaker" sex.

Nowadays things are different. If a man called me inferior, I'd punch his lights out! LOL

Answer 4

The reason women in the bible are little more then property is that is the way the culture at that time thought. The reason it is still carried in our world is well people that follow religions are frankly lazy and stupid! They do not think for themself or reject a book that is rooted in the social biases of centuries ago!

The religious also think to question the bible is to question God. This is something they will not do even if this God is an absolute sadist! They do not care what happens to others so long as they are safe! How self centered!

Answer 5

I do not believe we are. Women held significat roles in the bible. Mary gave birth to Jesus w/o the help of a man. The first to see Jesus after he rose was Mary and Mary Magdalene. Esther was saved an entire race from death. By no means do I believe are women inferior. I just think people don't always know the whole story.

Answer 6

During that period of time, there were better than twice as many (some regions 3 to 4 times more) women as there were men due to women having longer life span--Warefare in ancient times had a high rate of fatality---Patriarchal societies made it nearly impossible for an unmarried woman to provide for herself because women were uneducated and untrained/unlearned (without father figure to guide them). Many were left to slavery, prostitution and starvation. This also explains the Polygamy, which enabled a faster expansion of humanity (another sad need at that time for male children), Thus-- God Commanded the Fathers, Brothers (kindsman) and Husbands to care for the needs of the their daughters (Numbers 27:1-11) and First Wife (Exodus 21:10-11).

Answer 7

Simple. Men wrote the Bible.

Answer 8

Because the bible was written by men who were afraid of women and the power they have; the power to create life.
Read about the inquisition and the "hexenhammer". Excellent examples of violence resulting from jealousy and fear.

Black Maria said it best I think.

Answer 9

I do not feel that women are reflected negatively in the bible... they simply are different than men and have different jobs and different responsibilities... they are not inferior by any strech.

Answer 10

If you read the book of Esther in the Bible, you will find that Esther saved all of her people and was respected by not only women, but men also.