Women in the time of Jesus

Women in the Time of Jesus

Susannah clearly has a very strong moral character. When the elders threatened to blackmail her if she didn't lie with them, her moral compass prevailed as she would rather have her reputation ruined than sin in the eyes of the lord. The dilemma that Susannah faced orbited around this situation, because she refused to sleep with the elders, they tarnished her reputation and her husband Joakim, was told about it and Susannah was going to be put to death. Daniel rescued Susannah by saying, "Are you such fools, you sons of Israel? Have you condemned a daughter of Israel without examination and without learning the facts? Return to the place of judgment. For these men have borne false witness against her." Daniel then separated the man and asked them detailed questions about what they had "witnessed"; once Daniel discovered that their stories didn't match up, that was all the proof he needed to convict them of bearing a false witness against Susannah.

2.Holofernes was the chief general of the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of the Assyrians. Joakim was the high priest. Uzziah was the son of Micah and one of the magistrates of the city. Achior was the leader of all the Ammonites. Judith is seen more in terms of her relationship with them.

3. The story of Babatha demonstrates how while she was schooled well in business dealings, Babatha was illiterate, which demonstrates how women were often limited with schooling and education in general. In spite of this, Babatha's story demonstrates how in the first and second century women could own land and could inherit land as well as join political revolts.

4. Ben Sira was indeed misogynistic, stating things to the effect of: "I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon than dwell with an evil wife. [17] the wickedness of a wife changes her appearance, and darkens her face like that of a bear. [18] Her husband takes his meals among the neighbors, and he cannot help sighing bitterly. [19] Any iniquity is insignificant compared to a wife's iniquity; may a sinner's lot befall her!" Essentially, according to Ben Sira, good women are those who work hard to make the lives of the men around them better. Ben Sira believes that good women work hard to please men. This simple notion is the truth which pervades the majority of his writing: "3] a good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord. [4] Whether rich or poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful. [13] a wife's charm delights her husband, and her skill puts fat on his bones. [14] a silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul."