Names with Meaning

Abigail's story can be found in 1 Samuel 25. She was described as discerning and beautiful. She was first married to Nabal who was known to be unpleasant. When Nabal got into a scrape with David, Abigail rushed in with grace and diplomacy to save Nabal and her household from harm. When Nabal suddenly died, David remembered Abigail's valiance, and the two were married.

Apphia is mentioned as part of those greeted by Paul in the book of Philemon. Likely the wife of Philemon, she played a role in the formation and continuation of the early church.

Chloe is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:11. A group, referred to as her people, reported to Paul about the serious divisions within the local Corinthian church at the time. This group cared deeply for the health and unity of the body of believers, enough to take action to address it.

You can read Deborah's gripping story in Judges 4 and 5. She was a prophetess and judge in Israel during a time of great fear and oppression. After prophesying that military leader Barak would lead the Israelites into battle over their oppressors, he agrees to move forward with the plan, but only if Deborah rides into battle with him.

Esther is one of two women to have books of the Bible named after them. Esther becomes queen of Persia and uses her influence to bring justice for the Jewish people, who face persecution.

Eve's harrowing story can be found in Genesis 1-3. The first ever woman, Eve knew what it meant to know God intimately and personally. After giving in to the influence of the serpent in the garden, Eve and her husband Adam's disobedience led to the separation of God and humanity.

Jael, whose story can be found in Judges 4-5, is known for being cunning and faithful to God's will. When the leader of the Canaanite army goes on the run after being defeated in battle with the Israelites, he comes to Jael's family's tent. Despite also being Canaanite, Jael acted against the oppression the Canaanites exercised over the Israelites. To fulfill God's will, Jael put an end to the oppression (and the army leader) with a tent peg and hammer.

Julia is mentioned in Romans 16:15, among those to whom Paul sent his greetings. Presumably, she was a member of the early Roman church.

Retellings of Martha's interactions with Jesus are found in both the books of John and Luke. Martha was a woman who cared deeply about her work and the people around her. Her desire to do things with excellence sometimes took her away from being in the moment with Jesus. She was also a person who didn't shy away from sharing her honest thoughts and questions with Jesus.

Miriam was the older sister of Moses, and her story can be found throughout Exodus and Numbers. She was instrumental in saving Moses' life when he was a baby, and later aided him throughout his calling to set the Israelites free from slavery in Egypt.

Rachel's story can be found through Genesis 27-30. She and Jacob fell in love, but by some conniving from her father, Jacob married Rachel's sister instead. She would finally be allowed to marry Jacob seven years later. Despite Jacob and Rachel's great love for one another, their journey of having children was a difficult one. Rachel's story was one of experiencing the difficultly of waiting.

Ruth is one of two books in the Bible named after women. She was originally from Moab, but later moved to Isreal with her mother-in-law, Naomi, after the deaths of her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law. She faced discrimination after moving. Staying faithful to Naomi, Ruth married Naomi's close relative, Boaz, allowing her to take care of the family and continue on Naomi's family line. This family line would eventually lead to the births of both David and Jesus.