A Humbling Milestone: Ancient Israel’s Women of Faith Reaches #3 on Amazon
I am thrilled to share that my new book, Ancient Israel’s Women of Faith: A Survey of the Heroines of the Old Testament, has reached Number 3 among newly released books on Amazon. This achievement is both humbling and deeply gratifying, especially given the book’s mission to illuminate the often-overlooked stories of remarkable women whose faith shaped biblical history.
Born in the Classroom
This book did not emerge in isolation—it grew organically from years of rich dialogue with my students in my course “Women in the Old Testament,” a course I taught at Northern Seminary. Their questions challenged me, their insights deepened my understanding, and their genuine curiosity about these ancient heroines reminded me why these stories matter so profoundly. Every chapter reflects not just my research, but also the collective exploration we undertook together in the classroom.
I owe an immense debt of gratitude to those students who engaged so thoughtfully with the material, who pushed back when something did not resonate, and who helped me see these biblical women through fresh eyes. Their fingerprints are on every page of this work.
Why These Stories Still Matter
The initial reactions from readers have been wonderfully encouraging. Many have shared how surprised they were to see the complexity, courage, and agency these women showed in settings that were often restrictive and patriarchal. From Deborah’s leadership to Ruth’s loyalty, from Esther’s bravery to Rizpah’s devoted love for her sons, these stories reveal women who were much more than passive figures in salvation history.
These ancient heroines embodied a faith that was:
• Courageous in the face of impossible odds
• Resilient through persecution and uncertainty
• Sacrificial when God’s purposes demanded it
• Transformative in their families, communities, and nations
A Message for Today
What strikes me most powerfully is how directly these millennia-old stories speak to contemporary life. The struggles these women faced—questions of identity, purpose, justice, and faithfulness—resonate across the centuries. Their examples of standing firm in conviction, advocating for the vulnerable, navigating complex family dynamics, and trusting God through uncertainty feel remarkably relevant to readers navigating the complexities of twenty-first-century life.
Whether you are a student of Scripture, a woman seeking biblical role models, a teacher looking for fresh perspectives, or simply someone interested in the untold stories of history, I hope this book offers you the same sense of discovery and inspiration that my students and I experienced together.
An Invitation
My deepest hope is that readers will encounter these women not as distant historical figures, but as sisters in faith whose testimonies continue to challenge, encourage, and inspire us. May their stories remind us that God has always worked through faithful people—including and especially women—to accomplish his purposes in the world.
May their faith inspire and motivate us today, just as it has inspired generations before us.
Ancient Israel’s Women of Faith: A Survey of the Heroines of the Old Testament is now available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. To order the book, visit my author page on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0825449502].
Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary
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If you are looking for other series of studies on the Old Testament, visit the Archive section and you will find many studies that deal with a variety of Old Testament topics.
