The Bible features several anointed women of God who were used by the Lord in powerful, influential, and sometimes unexpected ways. These women demonstrated faith, courage, obedience, and prophetic insight, and their stories continue to inspire believers today. Below are some of the most notable anointed women of God in the Bible, along with scriptural references and commentary on their significance.
1. Deborah – The Prophetess and Judge
Judges 4:4-5
“Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.”
Deborah was a prophetess and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. She led Israel during a time of great oppression and provided godly counsel and leadership. Under her guidance, Israel gained victory over the Canaanite army. Her anointing was not just spiritual but also national—she led both in prophecy and battle strategy.
2. Esther – The Courageous Queen
Esther 4:14
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther was divinely positioned as queen to save the Jewish people from extermination. Though her name is not directly associated with prophecy or miracles, her anointing was clear in how God used her favor, wisdom, and bravery to change the course of history.
3. Mary – The Mother of Jesus
Luke 1:30-31
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”
Mary was chosen to carry the Son of God—an honor beyond human comprehension. Her anointing lay in her purity, humility, and obedience. She bore the Word made flesh, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and setting into motion the New Covenant.
4. Hannah – The Prayer Warrior
1 Samuel 1:10-11
“In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.”
Hannah was an anointed woman of persistent prayer and faith. Her passionate prayers birthed Samuel, one of the greatest prophets in Israel’s history. Her vow to dedicate her son to the Lord was a pivotal moment in Israel’s prophetic future.
5. Miriam – The Prophetess and Worship Leader
Exodus 15:20
“Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing.”
Miriam was the first woman explicitly called a “prophetess” in Scripture. She played a key role in the Exodus and led the women in worship after God’s deliverance at the Red Sea. Her musical and prophetic leadership was significant in Israel’s early journey.
6. Priscilla – The Teacher and Discipler
Acts 18:26
“He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.”
Priscilla, alongside her husband Aquila, was a teacher and discipler in the early church. She helped train Apollos, a powerful preacher. Her theological understanding and ability to teach reflect the anointing of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament church.
7. Anna – The Prophetess and Intercessor
Luke 2:36-38
“There was also a prophetess, Anna... She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”
Anna served God through decades of worship, fasting, and intercession. She was granted the privilege of seeing the infant Messiah and prophesying about Him. Her devotion and spiritual discernment highlight her deep anointing.
8. Ruth – The Loyal and Faithful Woman
Ruth 1:16
“Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
Ruth’s anointing lay in her loyalty, faith, and integrity. Though a Moabite by birth, she embraced the God of Israel and became the great-grandmother of King David. Her story shows how obedience and faithfulness attract God’s favor and purpose.
9. Elizabeth – The Righteous and Spirit-Filled Mother of John the Baptist
Luke 1:41-42
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Elizabeth was a righteous woman who conceived John the Baptist in her old age. She recognized the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit. Her words were prophetic, and her life mirrored God’s miraculous intervention.
10. The Woman with the Alabaster Jar
Luke 7:37-38
“She stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears.”
Though unnamed, this woman showed deep spiritual insight by anointing Jesus with perfume, a prophetic act symbolizing His death and burial. Jesus commended her action as a lasting memorial, recognizing the spiritual significance of her worship.
These women were anointed not because of titles or positions, but because of their faith, obedience, and availability to God. They operated under the influence of the Holy Spirit, often in times when women had little societal recognition, yet God used them mightily.
Their stories challenge us today:
● Will we be like Deborah, bold in leadership?
● Like Mary, humble in obedience?
● Like Hannah, persistent in prayer?
● Like Anna, faithful in worship?
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