The Womans Study Bible, NKJV

1825 Pages·2012·49.959 MB·English

by  Thomas Nelson

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T W
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N E W K I N G J A M E S V E R S I O N
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T W
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N E W K I N G J A M E S V E R S I O N
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Dorothy Kelley Patterson Rhonda Harrington Kelley
General Editor, First Edition Managing Editor, First Edition
Jan Dargatz Helen Rhea Stumbo Ann L. Bowman
Topical Notes; Contributing History Gospels, Acts
Editor, Second Edition
Jeanne Hendricks Constance N. Wieler Patty Comber
Portraits Poetry Pauline Epistles
Janice Meier Paula Rinehart Mary Kassian
General Consultant Major Prophets General Epistles, Revelation
Sharon Sterrenburg Karen H. Jobes Carmen Leigh Howell
Pentateuch Minor Prophets Index
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TTHHEE WWOOMMAANN’’SS SSTTUUDDYY BBIIBBLLEE,, SSEECCOONNDD EEDDIITTIIOONN
Copyright © 1995, 2006 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
TThhee HHoollyy BBiibbllee,, NNeeww KKiinngg JJaammeess VVeerrssiioonn
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
The text of the New King James Version® (NKJV®) may be quoted or reprinted without prior written permission
with the following qualifications: (1) up to and including 1,000 verses may be quoted in printed form as long as
the verses quoted amount to less than 50% of a complete book of the Bible and make up less than 50% of the total
work in which they are quoted; (2) all NKJV quotations must conform accurately to the NKJV text.
Any use of the NKJV text must include a proper acknowledgement as follows:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.
However, when quotations from the NKJV text are used in church bulletins, orders of service, Sunday school les-
sons, church newsletters, and similar works in the course of religious instruction or services at a place of worship
or other religious assembly, the following notice may be used at the end of each quotation: NKJV.
For quotation requests not covered by the above guidelines, write to Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attention: Bible Rights
and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000.
All Rights Reserved
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 — 12 11 10 09 08
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F O R E W O R D
P
raise God for His Story as it is recorded in His Word. My sincere prayer is that this vol-
ume will become a tool to guide you in listening to the voice of God as He speaks
through His Word.
The thrill of hearing Him speak today from this old Book, His Holy Word, has not left me.
It has been life-changing. However, for many the Bible may be something of a closed door.
Although its stories are all fairly familiar, there seems to be a great void of understanding
exactly what these stories can mean for Christians living in the present day. Many people
who read God’s Word believe it; they just don’t believe it works for them today. It does! You
will find the factual information in introductory materials, annotations, topical notes, por-
traits, charts, and maps in The Woman’s Study Bibleto be helpful in showing you how it
works.
Truth does not change (2 Tim. 3:16). While experts in science, technology, geology, and
theology are constantly changing their findings and conclusions, God’s Word has remained
unchanged since it was written thousands of years ago. Various challenges may be made to
the historical accounts found in the Bible, but you are going to be excited as you begin to
read reasonable explanations for many of your questions. There will, of course, be some
things, that is, the mysteries of God, for which there are no answers at this time, in this life.
The challenge of these mysteries will lead you to worship a God whose ways are past finding
out, whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Rom. 11:33; Is. 55:9).
Ask God to open your eyes that you might see Him in a fresh way and open your ears that
you might hear His voice speaking to you as you read His Word, and let The Woman’s Study
Biblebe your guide.
—Anne Graham Lotz
Foreword to the Second Edition
Dear Reader,
The Woman’s Study Bible has blessed and touched countless women since it was first pub-
lished over ten years ago, and we justly felt that a new, updated edition was long overdue. Our
review of the features and study notes resulted in our keeping all of the same study helps,
condensing a few articles and verse notes for a more effective and user-friendly layout. Next,
we added an all-new set of articles called Perspectives,written by noted female authors,
which touch on the importance of reading and studying God’s word. Finally, we chose to give
our Bible a beautiful new design—inside and out. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that
we present to you The Woman’s Study Bible, Second Edition.Our prayerful hope is that you
will grow in a deeper knowledge and love for the Lord as He reveals Himself to you through
these pages.
In Christ,
The Publishers
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The Woman’s Study Bible Contributors
FIRST EDITION
Aduke Akinola Karen J. Hayter Anne Ortlund
Myrna Alexander Kristina Hemphill Dorothy Kelley Patterson
Emilie Barnes Jeanne Hendricks Anabel Cantu Reimann
Shirley Cothran Barret Kay Ho Paula Rinehart
Susan Wise Bauer Shari Lee Witt Hofstetter Alice George Rogers
Judy Blue Carmen Leigh Howell Dale Evans Rogers
Mary Ellen Bork June Hunt Joyce Rogers
Ann L. Bowman Susan Hunt Kristi Sberna
Vonette Bright Katherine Hyde Edith Schaeffer
Jill Briscoe Kay Coles James Faye Short
Linda Buhler Karen H. Jobes Marsha A. Ellis Smith
Nancie Carmichael Mary Kassian Sharon Sneed
Annie Chapman Rhonda Harrington Kelley Gayle Somers
Grace Chavis Grace Ketterman Delores Steele
Debbie Church Diane Knippers Sharon Sterrenburg
Ann Coker Beverly LaHaye Helen Rhea Stumbo
Patty Comber Tammi Ledbetter Eleonore Stump
Dorian Coover Cox Marilyn Lewis Joni Eareckson Tada
Jan Dargatz Eta Linnemann Amanda Shao Tan
Melinda Delahoyde Florence Littauer Gigi Tchividjian
Beverly Demaurex Karen Mains Laverne Bell-Tolliver
Joy Griffin Dent Hilary McFarlane Noemi Vera
Linda Dillow Linda McGinn Diana Vermillion
Elisabeth Elliot Janice Meier Mary Whelchel
Denise George Erika Moore Constance N. Wieler
Sharon Gritz Miriam Neff Georgalyn Wilkinson
Margaret D. Hawley Barbara O’Chester Miltinnie Yih
SECOND EDITION
Emilie Barnes Nancy Leigh DeMoss Anne Graham Lotz
Dee Brestin Linda Dillow Stormie Omartian
Kimberly Daniels Roberta Hromas Kathy Troccoli
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C O N T E N T S
Foreword......................................................................................................................................................v
Contributors.............................................................................................................................................vi
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................viii
A Word from the Translators of the New King James Version.................................................x
List of Special Definitions and Abbreviations............................................................................xiv
God Cares for Women...........................................................................................................................xv
Eta Linnemann
The Balanced Life: Reconciling Personal Faith with Practicing Dogma..........................xvii
Hilary McFarlane
TTHHEE OOLLDD TTEESSTTAAMMEENNTT
Genesis.........................................1 2 Chronicles..........................540 Daniel....................................1078
Exodus.......................................73 Ezra..........................................577 Hosea.....................................1100
Leviticus..................................134 Nehemiah...............................592 Joel...........................................1116
Numbers..................................173 Esther.......................................613 Amos.......................................1123
Deuteronomy........................222 Job.............................................629 Obadiah.................................1136
Joshua......................................270 Psalms.....................................668 Jonah......................................1140
Judges......................................303 Proverbs..................................777 Micah......................................1145
Ruth.........................................342 Ecclesiastes............................827 Nahum....................................1154
1 Samuel..................................353 Song of Solomon.................843 Habakkuk..............................1159
2 Samuel.................................395 Isaiah.......................................859 Zephaniah.............................1165
1 Kings.....................................431 Jeremiah..................................937 Haggai.....................................1171
2 Kings.....................................471 Lamentations.....................1009 Zechariah...............................1175
1 Chronicles...........................509 Ezekiel...................................1018 Malachi..................................1189
Flowers of the Bible............................................................................................................................1196
Vegetables of the Bible......................................................................................................................1198
Bitter Herbs of the Bible..................................................................................................................1199
Herbs of the Bible..............................................................................................................................1200
TTHHEE NNEEWW TTEESSTTAAMMEENNTT
Matthew................................1205 Ephesians..............................1526 Hebrews................................1599
Mark......................................1260 Philippians...........................1540 James.......................................1619
Luke.......................................1294 Colossians.............................1552 1 Peter....................................1627
John........................................1346 1 Thessalonians....................1561 2 Peter....................................1641
Acts.........................................1389 2 Thessalonians...................1567 1 John......................................1647
Romans..................................1442 1 Timothy...............................1571 2 John.....................................1657
1 Corinthians.......................1468 2 Timothy..............................1581 3 John.....................................1660
2 Corinthians.......................1497 Titus.......................................1589 Jude.........................................1662
Galatians................................1516 Philemon...............................1595 Revelation.............................1666
Money and Measurements in the Bible.......................................................................................1701
What They Left Behind: Women, Archaeology, and the Bible............................................1703
Marsha A. Ellis Smith
Women and Children in Biblical Narrative................................................................................1707
Eleonore Stump
Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................1711
Index........................................................................................................................................................1714
Maps and Charts in The Woman’s Study Bible..............................................................................1738
Concordance...............................................................................................................................................1
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INTRODUCTION
The Woman’s Study Bibleis a unique tool for verses she considered tainted with a male bias.
opening God’s Word to women through a com- She was motivated by an agenda based on her
prehensive study of Scripture prepared by own experience and was grasping for a posi-
women for women on subjects important to tion that would place her overScripture. This
women. Recent history has awakened a grow- position helped lay the ideological foundation
ing awareness of and sensitivity to women and for a feministic theology that makes individual
their concerns—their value in being made in conscience and personal experience the ulti-
the image of God, their innermost personal mate basis for interpreting Scripture. A centu-
needs, and their challenging opportunities to ry later, the editorial committee of The
serve the Lord. The Bible is one of the most Woman’s Study Bible has chosen to line up
important means by which a woman’s identity underthe authority of Scripture. We have fol-
and her place in society should be defined. The lowed an objective approach. We have sought to
Creator presented His perfect plan, but Satan understand the message of the Bible, while
used his wiles through a woman to bring sin committing ourselves to live out its principles
into the world. God countered this satanic in faith and practice. We are bound to the
attack by using a woman to give birth to the absolute veracity and uniqueness of God’s
Savior who would provide redemption. A world Word. We do not need to twist or rewrite
distorted by the presence of sin and evil is full Scripture, to redefine its words, or to choose
of suffering and pain, but God and His Holy what we will accept as authoritative, which
Word are not responsible for creating the would exalt human reason. Rather we are com-
injustices and tragedies suffered by women or mitted to dig deep into Scripture in order to
men. find a word from God about who we are and
Women in the ancient world did not have an how we are to live.
easy or perfect life, but Israelite women were More than eighty women from many differ-
better off than their contemporaries. The Law ent denominations, ethnic backgrounds, and
of Israel was designed to protect women, their occupations comprised the editorial team.
rights, and their freedom (Deut. 21:10–14; 22:13, Women have worked through every step of pro-
28). Israelite women did have certain rights as duction—design and layout, typesetting,
well as greater freedom, more varied pursuits, proofreading, marketing, and sales. Singles,
and better social status than the women from wives, mothers, and grandmothers—all have
pagan nations. The vast majority of women combined their training and giftedness to
primarily administered their households and expend the time, energy, and creativity to pro-
cared for their husbands and children. duce a timeless and Christ-honoring study tool
Jesus did not hesitate to teach women and uniquely designed to meet the needs of women
to use them in parables and illustrations. whatever their situation in life—whether over-
Women were present at the Crucifixion (Luke whelmed with family problems, frustrated
23:49); they prepared the Lord’s body for burial from career injustices, burdened with the tri-
(Luke 23:56); they were first at the tomb on als of everyday living, challenged with making
Resurrection morning (Luke 24:1); they were life-changing decisions, or merely motivated to
the first to bear testimony to the Resurrection seek a word from God.
(Luke 24:9, 10); their faith and prayers were Before any research was begun or manu-
vital to the growth of the early church (Rom. script written, these guidelines were prayerful-
16:1). Everywhere Christianity has gone, the ly adopted:
status of women has improved.
• A distinctive exegesis pulls out the
In 1895, Elizabeth Cady Stanton published
meaning of the text instead of reading
The Woman’s Biblewith intent to achieve free-
into the text personal whims.
dom from what she alleged to be the “oppres-
sion” of Scripture. She commented on passages • Intuitive scholarshipcombines the dis-
of particular interest to women and removed cernment of intuition with the disci-
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introduction
ix
pline of scholarship, bringing a new are written by noted authors Emilie Barnes,
dimension to evangelical interpreta- Dee Brestin, Kimberly Daniels, Nancy Leigh
tion. DeMoss, Linda Dillow, Roberta Hromas, Anne
Graham Lotz, Stormie Omartian, and Kathy
• Nurturing sensitivitybrings new and
Troccoli.
exciting ways to encourage and inspire.
The charts and mapshave been prepared
• Mentoring friendshipsundergird spir-
for the unique focus of this volume. The travels
itual bonding, finding more common
of Ruth and Mary and the events in Christ’s
ground than polarity in a quest to
ministry are among the general subjects of
understand and interpret Scripture.
maps that have been carefully designed to
• Creative servicelinks mind and heart reflect the presence of women. Charts include
to present inspiration and guidance the development of family trees and treatment
that is fresh and relevant. of other subjects with special prominence
given to women.
The features of The Woman’s Study Bible
Inspirational quotations from women of
are skillfully woven together and easily
many generations are found throughout, accom-
accessed through an extensive referencing sys-
panied by planned space for preserving your
tem. The articles provide thought-
own insights of application of the text to your
provoking scholarship, devotional meditation,
own life. The most important part of studying
and the practical development of faith.
God’s Word is always a personal reading of the
Introductory material accompanies each
text of Scripture and a willingness to let its
book of the Bible with information about the
words speak to you and perhaps change your life.
author, date, setting, purpose, audience, liter-
Binding all these elements together is an
ary characteristics, and themes. The outline
index,an alphabetical guide to the special fea-
will lead you through a study of the book in a
tures—all the topical notes, portraits, charts,
systematic way. The annotationsplaced in side-
maps, and many of the subjects covered in
bars are helpful in drawing out of the text nec-
annotations. In the extensive cross-referencing
essary information to explain difficult pas-
system, topical notes and portraits are noted
sages, idiomatic phrases, or obscure words as
by book and chapter at the point of reference;
well as in identifying places and people.
charts and maps can be easily located through
The topical noteson subjects of interest to
the alphabetical guide. A brief concordanceof
women of all ages and in all stages of life have
been prepared based upon principles found in important words in the Bible is also included.
Scripture, enabling and motivating you to This volume will provide rewarding study
make personal application of God’s truth to for the serious Bible student, while also offer-
your own problems. ing a meaningful introduction to the study of
More than one hundred portraitsbring to God’s Word for any woman who would come
life the women of the Bible, giving a brief reverently to Scripture with an open heart.
glimpse of life in the ancient world, presenting The inexhaustible Word of God will introduce
their problems and how they solved them, you to the Father and His love; it will unveil
showing both the good and the bad, sharing and give understanding of His will; it will
the results of doing something God’s way in reveal His Law and principles for living; it will
contrast to going your own way (Is. 53:6). We offer intellectual challenges for your mind,
are awed by the faithfulness of many of these moral values for your will, and spiritual
women to doing God’s work, to obeying His refreshment for your heart. For every woman
Word, and to making significant contributions who opens the Holy Word of God, His/storyof
to the kingdom. Many of these Bible women redemption can become her/storyof deliver-
will become your examples, your inspiration, ance. Let The Woman’s Study Biblebecome a
your mentors, and your friends. catalyst for changing your life by helping you
The twelve Perspectives articles shed light unlock God’s Word, share His promises, and
on the significance of the Bible and how to offer His challenges.
study God’s word effectively. What’s more, they —Dorothy Kelley Patterson