Throughout Scripture, the Bible highlights the dangers of immorality, deceit, and wickedness, often warning against certain types of women who lead others into sin. These verses serve as a reminder of the importance of righteousness, wisdom, and the fear of the Lord.
While the Bible also speaks of virtuous and noble women, it does not shy away from exposing the consequences of wickedness. These passages help believers recognize destructive traits and seek godliness in their lives. Below are biblical accounts of women who personify bad influences, illustrating the spiritual and moral lessons that can be learned from their examples.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Evil Women
Jezebel: The Woman Who Led Others Into Idolatry
Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, is one of the most infamous women in the Bible. She actively promoted Baal worship in Israel, persecuted God’s prophets, and used deception and manipulation to achieve her evil desires. Her actions led to the spiritual downfall of her husband and many others. Jezebel’s story serves as a stark warning against idolatry, wicked influence, and the dangers of rejecting God’s commandments. The Bible describes her as a symbol of corruption and rebellion, and her ultimate fate serves as a powerful lesson about the consequences of living in defiance of God’s truth.
1 Kings 21:25
“No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the Lord’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel.”
Revelation 2:20
“But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols.”
2 Kings 9:22
“King Joram demanded, ‘Do you come in peace, Jehu?’ Jehu replied, ‘How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?'”
1 Kings 18:4
“Once when Jezebel had tried to kill all the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had hidden 100 of them in two caves. He put fifty prophets in each cave and supplied them with food and water.”
2 Kings 9:30
“When Jezebel, the queen mother, heard that Jehu had come to Jezreel, she painted her eyelids and fixed her hair and sat at a window.”
Delilah: The Woman Who Betrayed for Greed
Delilah is remembered for her betrayal of Samson, the mighty judge of Israel. She was used by the Philistine rulers to discover the secret of Samson’s strength, deceiving him out of love for money. Her persistence and cunning eventually led to his downfall, showing the danger of allowing greed and deceit to rule one’s heart. The story of Delilah warns against those who feign love but have ulterior motives, emphasizing the importance of discernment. Samson’s tragic end highlights the consequences of trusting the wrong person and the need to seek wisdom in relationships.
Judges 16:4-5
“Some time later Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in the valley of Sorek. The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, ‘Entice Samson to tell you what makes him so strong and how he can be overpowered and tied up securely. Then each of us will give you 1,100 pieces of silver.'”
Judges 16:6
“So Delilah said to Samson, ‘Please tell me what makes you so strong and what it would take to tie you up securely.'”
Judges 16:16
“She tormented him with her nagging day after day until he was sick to death of it.”
Judges 16:18
“Delilah realized he had finally told her the truth, so she sent for the Philistine rulers. ‘Come back one more time,’ she said, ‘for he has finally told me his secret.’ So the Philistine rulers returned with the money in their hands.”
Judges 16:19
“Delilah lulled Samson to sleep with his head in her lap, and then she called in a man to shave off the seven locks of his hair. In this way, she began to bring him down, and his strength left him.”
Potiphar’s Wife: The Woman Who Falsely Accused
Potiphar’s wife is known for her failed attempt to seduce Joseph, a man of integrity and devotion to God. When Joseph resisted her advances, she falsely accused him of attempting to assault her, which led to his unjust imprisonment. Her story is a reminder of the damage caused by lies and false accusations. She represents those who use manipulation and deceit for selfish gain. The example of Joseph’s resistance and faithfulness to God teaches the importance of standing firm against temptation, no matter the consequences, and trusting God for ultimate justice and deliverance.
Genesis 39:7
“And Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. ‘Come and sleep with me,’ she demanded.”
Genesis 39:8-9
“But Joseph refused. ‘Look,’ he told her, ‘my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.'”
Genesis 39:12
“She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, ‘Come on, sleep with me!’ Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.”
Genesis 39:14
“She called out to her servants. Soon all the men came running. ‘Look!’ she said. ‘My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to make fools of us! He came into my room to rape me, but I screamed.'”
Genesis 39:20
“So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.”
Herodias: The Woman Who Demanded Murder
Herodias, the wife of Herod Antipas, is infamous for her role in the execution of John the Baptist. Angered by John’s condemnation of her unlawful marriage, she used manipulation and deceit to silence him permanently. Her story serves as a warning against vengeance and using influence for evil. Her willingness to sacrifice an innocent man to satisfy her pride demonstrates the destructive power of bitterness and unrepentant sin. Herodias reminds us that unchecked hatred can lead to devastating consequences. The tragic fate of John the Baptist stands as a testament to the cost of standing for truth amid corruption.
Mark 6:19
“So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval, she was powerless.”
Mark 6:22-23
“Then his daughter also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. ‘Ask me for anything you like,’ the king said to the girl, ‘and I will give it to you.’ He even vowed, ‘I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!'”
Mark 6:24-25
“She went out and asked her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ Her mother told her, ‘Ask for the head of John the Baptist!’ So the girl hurried back to the king and told him, ‘I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!'”
Mark 6:27
“So the king immediately sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John’s head and bring it to him. The soldier beheaded John in the prison.”
Luke 3:19-20
“John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Stubborn Woman
Athaliah: The Woman Who Killed Her Own Family
Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, seized the throne of Judah through ruthless bloodshed, killing her own grandchildren to secure power. She ruled with cruelty and led the nation further into idolatry. Her story is one of unchecked ambition, destruction, and rebellion against God. However, her reign was ultimately short-lived, and she met a violent end. Athaliah serves as a warning against power-hungry selfishness and the consequences of rejecting God’s ways. Her downfall demonstrates that no amount of earthly power can protect those who oppose God’s righteousness.
2 Kings 11:1
“When Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, learned that her son was dead, she began to destroy the rest of the royal family.”
2 Kings 11:3
“Joash remained hidden in the Temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land.”
2 Kings 11:13-14
“When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she hurried to the Lord’s Temple to see what was happening. When she arrived, she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority. The officers and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. When Athaliah saw all this, she tore her clothes in despair and shouted, ‘Treason! Treason!'”
2 Kings 11:16
“So they seized her and led her out to the gate where horses enter the palace grounds, and she was killed there.”
2 Chronicles 22:3-4
“He also followed the evil example of King Ahab’s family, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as Ahab’s family had done. They even became his advisors, leading him to ruin.”
Gomer: The Woman Who Lived in Unfaithfulness
Gomer, the unfaithful wife of the prophet Hosea, symbolizes Israel’s spiritual adultery against God. Despite her repeated betrayals, Hosea was commanded by God to take her back, demonstrating God’s unrelenting love and mercy. Gomer’s actions serve as a warning against faithlessness and the pain caused by broken covenants. However, her story also highlights redemption and the power of God’s grace. It teaches that while sin has consequences, God’s love is always ready to restore those who turn back to Him. The relationship between Hosea and Gomer reflects God’s deep love for His people despite their failures.
Hosea 1:2
“When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, ‘Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.'”
Hosea 1:3
“So Hosea married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she became pregnant and gave Hosea a son.”
Hosea 2:5
“Their mother is a shameless prostitute and became pregnant in a shameful way. She said, ‘I’ll run after other lovers and sell myself to them for food and water, for clothing of wool and linen, and for olive oil and drinks.'”
Hosea 3:1
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.'”
Hosea 3:2
“So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver and five bushels of barley and a measure of wine.”
Lot’s Wife: The Woman Who Looked Back
Lot’s wife is remembered for her disobedience when she looked back at Sodom and turned into a pillar of salt. Her longing for the sinful city rather than obeying God’s command illustrates the danger of holding onto the past and resisting God’s deliverance. She serves as a cautionary figure for those who hesitate in their faith, unwilling to fully leave behind sin. Her story warns against spiritual compromise and divided loyalties. Jesus Himself referenced her as a lesson for believers, reminding them to stay focused on God’s path and never turn back toward a life of destruction.
Genesis 19:17
“‘Run for your lives!’ the angels warned. ‘Don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!'”
Genesis 19:26
“But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.”
Luke 17:32
“Remember what happened to Lot’s wife!”
Genesis 19:24-25
“Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation.”
Hebrews 10:38
“‘And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.'”