Rebecca Rakow Ministries

If you think the Bible never shows women as shepherds... think again.

Most Christians have never been taught this.

Yet the Bible explicitly calls Rachel a shepherd.

"While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherd." — Genesis 29:9 (ESV)

The Hebrew word used is רֹעָה (ro'ah)—the feminine form meaning "shepherdess." This isn't an assumption or a modern interpretation. It's the word the biblical author chose.

And Rachel wasn't alone.

Exodus 2:16–17 tells us that the seven daughters of Jethro regularly came to water their father's flock, performing the work of shepherds until Moses stepped in to defend them from other shepherds.

So why have so many of us grown up believing shepherding was exclusively a man's job?

Sometimes our traditions shape the way we read Scripture more than Scripture shapes our traditions.

Read the passages for yourself:

📖 Genesis 29:9
📖 Exodus 2:16–17

What surprised you most?

🦋 Rebecca Rakow

Meet the Women of the Bible

Episode 3: Huldah

Who was she?

Huldah was a prophetess living in Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah. (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22)

What role did she serve?

• Prophetess (2 Kings 22:14)
• Messenger of God's word to the king and the nation (2 Kings 22:15-20)

What authority did she hold?

• King Josiah's officials sought her counsel concerning the Book of the Law that had been discovered in the temple. (2 Kings 22:14)
• She delivered God's message to the king's representatives. (2 Kings 22:15-20)
• Her words were received as the word of the Lord. (2 Kings 22:15-20)
• Her prophecy influenced King Josiah's response and the reforms that followed. (2 Kings 22–23)

What else do we learn about her?

• She lived in Jerusalem. (2 Kings 22:14)
• The high priest, royal officials, and the king's representatives were sent to consult her. (2 Kings 22:12-14)
• She delivered God's message concerning the Book of the Law. (2 Kings 22:15-20)
• She prophesied both coming judgment and mercy during Josiah's lifetime. (2 Kings 22:16-20)
• Her prophecy was fulfilled. (2 Kings 23; 24:1-4)

What does Scripture explicitly tell us?

The Bible describes Huldah as a prophetess. When the Book of the Law was discovered, King Josiah's officials sought her out to inquire of the Lord. She delivered God's message concerning both judgment and mercy, and her words were received as the word of the Lord. Scripture records that what she prophesied came to pass.

The goal of this series is to introduce you to the women God included in Scripture and let the Bible speak for itself.

Now it's your turn. Take a few minutes to read her story for yourself.

What stands out to you? What did you learn? What did you never notice before?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

Meet the Women of the Bible.

One woman at a time.