Servant, queen, mother, prophetess, prostitute, priestess, heroine, exile . . . Jacques Duquesne demonstrates the crucial roles played by women in the Bible. From The Red Tent to Marek Halter’s Canaan trilogy, biblical women have inspired numerous contemporary writers—who, in turn, have captivated millions of readers. Duquesne returns to the original scriptures to evaluate the often controversial roles, responsibilities, and relationships of women in the Old and New Testaments. In doing so, he shows the significant contribution women made to life in ancient Israel and their importance in spreading the Christian word throughout the Western world. Well-known figures such as Eve, Esther, and Mary rub shoulders with less familiar characters such as Rahab, Meirav, and Huldah. Each portrait is accompanied by a bible extract and illustrations from religious art throughout the centuries.