instances of inspiring female leadership in the Hebrew Scriptures?

Answer 1

Queen Esther. Her adopted father saved her husband, the King's, life and was repaid with having a man who angry that an Israelite had gained favor with the king convincing him to make it legal to kill all Israelites. Esther was then able to save her people by convincing the king that he was wrong and got him to repeal the law.

At least, that's the jist of what I remember. :D

Answer 2

A prophetess, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. Her name is the Greek form of Hannah.

Anna had become a widow after just seven years of married life and, at the time of the child Jesus’ presentation at the temple, was 84 years of age. Nevertheless, she was constant in her attendance at the temple, evidently from the time of the morning service until the evening service and, as a result, was privileged to see the young child Jesus and bear witness about him. Her “fastings and supplications” indicate a mourning attitude and an earnest longing on her part. The centuries-long period of Jewish subjection, coupled with the deteriorating religious conditions that reached even to the temple and its priesthood, could well explain this. At any rate, though she might not have expected to be alive when the child became grown, she now joyfully witnessed to others of the liberation due to be effected through this coming Messiah.—Lu 2:36-38.

Answer 3

Hi, Valyn:

Although Judges tells of Deborah, a Judge who led the people in conquest, there were no ladies in the priesthood, symbolic of our Savior. Hulda was a prophetess, as was Anna who blessed the Infant. Acts 21:8 "...we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was [one] of the seven; and abode with him.
21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. , but again, none were ordained to the priesthood.

Let us not forget Mary, of whom the Bible says she will be called blessed. But...

One church exalts Mary to the same level as our Savior. Because her heart was rent at the cross, she is called the co-redemptix. This is quite dangerous and opens the door for spiritualism. You can see this when you break a Bible code at http://abiblecode.tripod.com

Believe it or not, Ester marks the central point in the Cosmic Conflict--quite an important book.

Shalom, peace in Jesus, Ben Yeshua

Answer 4

Judges 4/5 -- "Deborah" -- God's Prophetess/warrior/leader.
Exodus 15 -- "Miriam" -- God's Prophetess.
1 Samuel -- "Hannah" -- God's Poetess/Samuel's mother.
2 Kings 22 -- "Huldah" -- God's Prophetess.
Ruth -- "Naomi & Ruth"
Esther -- "Esther Jewish Queen of Iran"
1 Kings 17 -- "Widow of Zarephath, who fed Elijah during the famine"
2 Kings 4 -- "The Shunammite woman, who gave hospitality to Elisha".

Answer 5

Miriam, Ruth, Leah and...whoever that prostitute was who helped the Hebrews sack Jericho.

And there's Ester, though there's some debate as to whether the story of Perum is true or just made up.

Answer 6

According to the bible a woman is prohibited to act as preacher or leader of any religious congregation. She should give it to a man and she should keep herself silent on the matter, because her head is the
man while the head of the man is Jesus Christ and the head of Jesus Christ is God, the Father.It means the head of the church is Jesus Christ but not the Pope of the catholics.
jtm
jtm

Answer 7

What about Sara, Abraham's wife, who was the mother of Isaac who was the father of Jacob--the line of the Messiah?

And Hagar...his wife's servant, who gave birth to Ismael. (wife condoned).

The woman who gave them refuge was Rahab (BTW, she may have been a hotelkeeper, and not a prostitute).

Answer 8

The classic is Deborah in Judges.

Answer 9

Esther - Deborah- Rahab-

Answer 10

The main one would be Deborah, who created and ordered around an entire army. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah