• Wolf
    Aid to Bible Understanding

    • WOLF

      A carnivorous animal resembling a large German shepherd dog but having longer legs, larger feet, a broader head and stronger jaws. It is reported that in Palestine and Syria wolves usually hunt singly or in twos or threes, not in packs. They seek their prey under the cover of darkness, remaining in hiding during the day. (Hab. 1:8; Zeph. 3:3) Wolves are fierce, voracious, bold and greedy, often killing more sheep than they can eat or drag away. The shepherd of ancient times therefore had to be courageous and resourceful to protect the flock from wolves.—John 10:12, 13.

      Most of the Scriptural references to the wolf are illustrative. In his deathbed prophecy, Jacob likened his son Benjamin to a wolf, this undoubtedly with reference to the tribe’s fighting abilities. (Gen. 49:27; see BENJAMIN No. 2.) The unscrupulous princes of Judah (Ezek. 22:27), false prophets (Matt. 7:15), vicious opposers of the Christian ministry (Matt. 10:16; Luke 10:3), as well as false teachers that would endanger the Christian congregation from within (Acts 20:29, 30), are compared to wolves. In contrast with the well-known despoilings by wolves (Jer. 5:6), the wolf and the lamb are depicted as being at peace during Messiah’s rule, feeding together as one, a prophetic picture that doubtless relates primarily to people.—Isa. 11:6; 65:25.

  • Woman
    Aid to Bible Understanding

    • Woman

      [Heb., ʼish·shahʹ (literally, female man), woman, wife; Gr., gy·neʹ, woman, wife].

      The adult human female, one beyond the age of puberty.

      CREATION

      BEFORE THE MAN ADAM EVER ASKED FOR A HUMAN COMPANION, GOD HIS CREATOR MADE PROVISION. AFTER PLACING ADAM IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN AND GIVING HIM THE LAW RESPECTING THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND BAD, JEHOVAH SAID: “IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE MAN TO CONTINUE BY HIMSELF. I AM GOING TO MAKE A HELPER FOR HIM, AS A COMPLEMENT OF HIM.” (GEN. 2:18) HE DID NOT OBLIGE THE MAN TO GO SEEKING A COMPANION AMONG THE ANIMALS, BUT HE BROUGHT THE ANIMALS TO ADAM FOR NAMING. ADAM WAS NOT INCLINED TOWARD BESTIALITY, AND WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THERE WAS NO SUITABLE COMPANION AMONG THEM. (GEN. 2:19, 20) “HENCE JEHOVAH GOD HAD A DEEP SLEEP FALL UPON THE MAN AND, WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING, HE TOOK ONE OF HIS RIBS AND THEN CLOSED UP THE FLESH OVER ITS PLACE. AND JEHOVAH GOD PROCEEDED TO BUILD THE RIB THAT HE HAD TAKEN FROM THE MAN INTO A WOMAN AND TO BRING HER TO THE MAN. THEN THE MAN SAID: ‘THIS IS AT LAST BONE OF MY BONES AND FLESH OF MY FLESH. THIS ONE WILL BE CALLED WOMAN, BECAUSE FROM MAN THIS ONE WAS TAKEN.’”—GEN. 2:21-23.

      POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

      The woman, being created out of the man, was dependent upon the man for being brought into existence. Being part of the man, “one flesh” with him, and a complement and helper to him, she was subject to him as her head. She was also under the law that God had given Adam about the tree of the knowledge of good and bad. She was responsible to work for the good of the man. Together they were to have children and to exercise dominion over the animals.—Gen. 1:28; 2:24.

      Since the normal course for women in Bible times was to marry, the scriptures that treat of the woman’s responsibilities usually have reference to her position as a wife. The primary duty of all women in Israel was to serve Jehovah God in true worship. Abigail, who became the wife of David after her good-for-nothing husband Nabal had died, was an example of this. Even though Nabal took a bad course, refusing to use his material goods to help David, the anointed of Jehovah, Abigail realized that she, as Nabal’s wife, was not obligated to follow her husband in such action contrary to Jehovah’s will. Jehovah blessed her in her following of right worship by assisting His anointed one.—1 Sam. 25:23-31, 39-42.

      Secondarily, the woman was to obey her husband. She was responsible to work hard for the good of the household and to bring honor to her husbandly head. This would bring the greatest glory to her. The wise man says: “The truly wise woman has built up her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.” (Prov. 14:1) She should always speak well of her husband and increase the respect of others for him, and he should be able to take pride in her. “A capable wife is a crown to her owner, but as rottenness in his bones is she that acts shamefully.” (Prov. 12:4) The honorable position and the privileges she has as a wife, together with the blessings to her because of faithfulness, industriousness and wisdom, are described at Proverbs chapter 31.—See WIFE.

      A Hebrew woman who was a mother had much to do with the training of her children in righteousness, respectfulness and industriousness, and often in counseling and influencing older sons for good. (Gen. 27:5-10; Ex. 2:7-10; Prov. 1:8; 31:1; 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14, 15) Girls, especially, were trained to be good wives by learning from their mothers the arts of cooking, weaving and general household management, while the father taught the son a trade. Wives also were free to express themselves to their husbands (Gen. 16:5, 6) and at times aided their husbands in arriving at right decisions.—Gen. 21:9-13; 27:46–28:4.

      The bride was usually selected for a man by the parents. But, doubtless under the Law, as it was earlier in Rebekah’s case, the girl had an opportunity to voice her feelings and will in the matter. (Gen. 24:57, 58) Although polygamy was practiced, God not yet acting to restore the original state of monogamy until the Christian congregation was established (Gen. 2:23, 24; Matt. 19:4-6; 1 Tim. 3:2), polygamous relationships were regulated.

      Even the military laws favored both wife and husband in exempting a newly married man for one year. This gave the couple the opportunity to exercise their right to have a child, which would be a great comfort to the mother when the husband was away, and even more so if he should die in battle.—Deut. 20:7; 24:5.

      However, the law applied with equal force to both men and women who were guilty of adultery, incest bestiality and other crimes. (Lev. 18:6, 23; 20:10-12; Deut. 22:22) Women were not to wear the clothing of a man or a man the clothing of a woman, a practice that might open the way for immorality, including homosexuality. (Deut 22:5) Women could participate in the benefits of the sabbaths, the laws governing Nazirites, the festivals and, in general, all the provisions of the Law. (Ex. 20:10; Num. 6:2; Deut. 12:18; 16:11, 14) The mother, as well as the father, was to be honored and obeyed.—Lev. 19:3; 20:9; Deut. 5:16; 27:16.

      PRIVILEGES IN THE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION

      For those called by God to the heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1) to be joint heirs with Jesus Christ, there is no distinction between men and women in a spiritual sense. The apostle writes: “You are all, in fact, sons of God through your faith in Christ . . . there is neither male nor female; for you are all one person in union with Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:26-28) These all must receive a change of nature at their resurrection, being made partakers together of “divine nature,” in which state none will be women, for there is no female sex among spirit creatures, sex being God’s means for reproduction of earthly creatures.—2 Pet. 1:4.

      Gifts of the spirit

      Women, spoken of as “daughters” and “women slaves” in Joel’s prophecy, were among those receiving the gifts of holy spirit on the day of Pentecost, 33 C.E. From that day forward the Christian women who were favored with these gifts talked in foreign tongues that they had not understood before, and ‘prophesied,’ not necessarily making predictions of important future events, but speaking forth Bible truths.—Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 1:13-15; 2:1-4, 13-18; see PROPHETESS.

      In congregational meetings

      There were meetings when these women could pray or prophesy, provided they wore a head covering. (1 Cor. 11:3-16; see HEAD COVERING.) However, at what were evidently public meetings, when the “whole congregation” as well as “unbelievers” assembled in one place (1 Cor. 14:23-25), women were to “keep silent.” If ‘they wanted to learn something, they could question their own husbands at home, for it was disgraceful for a woman to speak in a congregation.’—1 Cor. 14:31-35.

      While not permitted to teach in congregational assembly, a woman could teach persons outside the congregation who desired to learn the truth of the Bible and the good news about Jesus Christ (compare Psalm 68:11), as well as be a ‘teacher of what is good’ to younger women (and children) within the congregation. (Titus 2:3-5) But she was not to exercise authority over a man, or dispute with men, as, for example, in the meetings of the congregation. She was to remember what happened to Eve, and how God expressed the matter of woman’s position after Adam and Eve had sinned.—1 Tim. 2:11-14; Gen. 3:16.

      Only men serve as overseers, ministerial servants

      In the discussion of “gifts in men” given by Christ to the congregation, there is no mention of women. The words “apostles,” “prophets,” “evangelizers,” “shepherds and teachers” are all in the masculine gender. (Eph. 4:8, 11) Ephesians 4:11 is rendered by An American Translation: “And he has given us some men as apostles, some as prophets, some as missionaries, some as pastors and teachers.”—Compare Mo, NW; also Psalm 68:18, NW.

      In full accord with this, when the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy about the qualifications for the service positions of “overseers” (e·piʹsko·poi), who were also “older men” (pre·sbyʹte·roi), and of “ministerial servants” (di·aʹko·noi) in the congregation, he specifically states that they must be men, and, if married, ‘the husband of one wife.’ No discussion by any of the apostles discusses any office of “deaconess” (di·a·koʹnis·sa).—1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; compare Acts 20:17, 28; Philippians 1:1.

      Although Phoebe is mentioned (Rom. 16:1) as a “minister” (di·aʹko·nos, without the Greek feminine article he), it is not stated in what way she was a minister; but likely it was in the basic sense of di·aʹko·nos, that is, as an attendant or one waiting on another, thus ministering in the way that Luke 8:1-3 describes certain women as ministering to Jesus from their belongings. Phoebe had been “a defender of many, yes, of [Paul himself].” She had therefore proved herself trustworthy, but she did not necessarily render her defensive or protective service in any official ministerial capacity. And the apostle did not tell the congregation to receive instructions from her, but, rather, to receive her well and to “assist her in any matter where she may need you.”—Rom. 16:2.

      In the home

      The woman is described in the Scriptures as “a weaker vessel, the feminine one.” She is to be treated accordingly by her husband. (1 Pet. 3:7) She has many privileges, such as sharing in teaching the children and generally managing the internal affairs of the household, under her husband’s approval and direction. (1 Tim. 5:14; 1 Pet. 3:1, 2; Prov. 1:8; 6:20; chap. 31) She has the duty of submission to her husband. (Eph. 5:22-24) She owes him the marital due.—1 Cor. 7:3-5.

      Adornment

      The Bible throughout does not condemn adornment in clothing or the wearing of jewelry, but commands that it be governed by modesty and propriety. The apostle instructs that feminine dress should be well arranged, and that women adorn themselves “with modesty and soundness of mind.” Emphasis should not be put on hairstyles, ornaments and expensive clothing, but on the things contributing to spiritual beauty, namely, “good works,” and “the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit.”—1 Tim. 2:9, 10; 1 Pet. 3:3, 4; compare Proverbs 11:16, 22; 31:30.

      The apostle Peter tells such submissive women who display chaste, respectful, godly conduct that “you have become [Sarah’s] children, provided you keep on doing good and not fearing any cause for terror.” So these wives have a grand opportunity, not by being descended from faithful Sarah in a fleshly way but by imitating her. Sarah was privileged to bear Isaac and become an ancestress of Jesus Christ, who is primarily the ‘seed of Abraham.’ (Gal. 3:16) Thus Christian wives, proving themselves to be figurative daughters of Sarah even toward unbelieving husbands, are sure to receive a rich reward at God’s hands.—1 Pet. 3:6; Gen. 18:11, 12; 1 Cor. 7:12-16.

      WOMEN MINISTERED TO JESUS

      Women enjoyed privileges in connection with Jesus’ earthly ministry, but not the privileges given to the twelve apostles and the seventy evangelizers. (Matt. 10:1-8; Luke 10:1-7) A number of women ministered to Jesus from their belongings. (Luke 8:1-3) One anointed him shortly before his death, and for her act Jesus promised that where the good news would