G. S. Davies on the Hebrew Patriarchs and the Status of Woman

Rev. G. S. Davies, St. Paul in Greece

(London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; undated),

p. 86.

ʻThe patriarchal period of the Hebrew race is strongly tinged with [a] low and imperfect conception of Woman.

Not but that the history of the patriarchs presents us with some singularly beautiful and moving sense of womanly affection and love, and makes many of the women of the Old Testament worthy of the name of “holy women” even to those who are able to look upon the position and sphere of woman from a Christian standpoint.

The Hebrews were unquestionably far above the nations which surrounded them in their views and practice on these points.

Nevertheless, they were very far below the standard which Christian nations have had set before them.

The very existence of polygamy was in itself destructive of the sanctity of the married state, and, even when presented in its least objectionable light, is still surrounded by that atmosphere of thought which poisons, and must ever poison, the pure affection of domestic life.

The practice of the patriarchal period was imperfect, and though it is evident that the later Hebrews abandoned polygamy to a great extent, their views and practice still retained traces of the system.

It was left to Christianity first to proclaim the true dignity of woman, and to give to her her true place, nay, rather to restore her to her place, as it had been appointed her in the design of creation, by the side of man, not as his slave or his inferior, but as his helpmate.ʼ

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