TL;DR:
This Bible crossword challenges readers to identify 36 noteworthy women in Scripture. Suitable for Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day, or general Bible study, the page also includes a reflection on biblical support for equality between women and men and an acrostic describing how God sees women.
Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, and International Women’s Day is March 8.
Challenge: Can you identify these 36 noteworthy women in Scripture?
1. Mary's sister (John 12:2)
4. A dealer in purple cloth who hosted Paul and his missionary team when they were in Philippi (Acts 16:14, 40)
8. Sarah's servant and mother of Ishmael (Genesis 16:15)
10. Chuza's wife and supporter of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3)
11. She married Isaac and became the mother of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 24:67)
13. Sister and helper to Moses (Numbers 26:59)
14. Prophetess and judge (Judges 4:4)
16. Mother of Moses (Exodus 6:20)
19. One of the women who cared for the needs of Jesus and his disciples (Mark 15:40-41)
20. Protected Israel's spies in Jericho (Joshua 2; 6:25)
21. One of three women whom Paul complimented by saying they "work hard in the Lord" (Romans 16:12)
24. Ananias' wife, who sold a piece of property and lied about its sale price (Acts 5:1)
26. Timothy's grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5)
28. Samuel's mother (1 Samuel 1:20)
29. God used Peter to raise her from the dead (Acts 9:36-41)
32. Timothy's mother (2 Timothy 1:5)
34. Mother of King Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24)
1. An angel said to her, "Greetings, you who are highly favored" (Luke 1:27-28)
2. Prophetess in King Josiah's time (2 Kings 22:14)
3. Mother of Isaac (Genesis 21:3)
5. Younger daughter of Laban (Genesis 29:16)
6. Ruth's mother-in-law (Ruth 1:3-4)
7. Her daughter danced for Herod on his birthday (Matthew 14:6)
9. The queen who saved the Jewish people (Esther 4–8)
10. Esau married her when he was 40 years old (Genesis 26:34)
12. Daughter of Saul and wife of David (2 Samuel 3:13-14)
15. The daughter of Potiphera who became Joseph's wife (Genesis 41:45)
16. She was with King Agrippa when Paul pleaded his case (Acts 25:23)
18. Samson fell in love with this treacherous woman (Judges 16:4)
22. She and her husband Aquila helped spread the gospel (Acts 18:2, 18, 26)
23. Mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-60)
25. Daughter of Leah (Genesis 30:19-21)
27. Paul said she was a deacon or servant in the church at Cenchrea (Romans 16:1)
30. Elderly prophetess who rejoiced at the sight of the infant Jesus (Luke 2:36-38)
31. The older daughter of Laban (Genesis 29:16)
33. The mother of Cain, Abel, and Seth (Genesis 4:1-2)
— Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu
The Bible, particularly in the New Testament, promotes principles of gender equality that challenge the traditional societal norms of its time. Jesus treated women with respect and dignity. He engaged with them as equals in a cultural context where they were often marginalized. Though sometimes interpreted as restrictive, the apostle Paul’s writings contain passages that speak of mutual respect and partnership between husbands and wives. In his letter to the churches of Galatia, located in what is now Turkey, Paul declares, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Those words in Galatians 3:28 affirm the equal standing of all believers in Christ.
Throughout biblical narratives, women such as Deborah, Esther, Mary, and Priscilla are portrayed as strong, influential figures with agency and significance. While interpretations vary, the Bible’s “seeds of gender equality” have inspired efforts to promote justice and dignity for everyone, regardless of gender.
W – Worthy vessels of grace, crowned with dignity and strength.
O – Ornaments of wisdom, reflecting God’s beauty and truth.
M – Mothers of faith, nurturing life with love and devotion.
E – Emboldened by God’s Spirit, walking in courage and compassion.
N – Noble in character, called to serve with gentle power.
Like acrostics? Here are more of them.
