Women in Genesis and Exodus

Women in Genesis and Exodus
The role of women has changed tremendously since the era of Adam and Eve. During those times, women were subservient to men and their primary role was to bear children. This role was outlined when God said to Eve after she had eaten the forbidden fruit, “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband; And he shall rule over you” (4). The books of Genesis and Exodus contain multiple slanders and insults to women. Women never questioned their role and the thought that they could fight for their rights and perhaps become equal with men never even occurred to them. They accepted their role of subservient child-bearer and had no qualms about trying to obtain more rights and freedoms. In Genesis, most of the insults to women can be found in the stories of Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Tamar and Dinah. The way these women are portrayed is both degrading and insult...