You may think that a woman can’t preach because the Bible doesn’t talk a lot about a woman preacher. However, the Bible KJV includes several women preaching the word of God. But who was that first woman preacher in the Bible KJV?
Several women preached the Word of God. These women weren’t only bold and faithful but they were also recognized as prophetesses, spiritual leaders, and proclaimers of God’s word.
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1.) Miriam – The Sister of Moses as the First Prophetess
The Bible KJV identified Miriam as the first woman preacher. She was the sister of Moses and Aaron. Her story appears in the Old Testament.
Exodus 15:20-21
“And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”
This event occurs immediately after God parted the Red Sea. He delivered the people of Israel from the Egyptian army.
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Miriam leads the women of Isreal in song, music, and praise, in response to the said divine intervention. She publicly proclaimed the greatness of God. She also affirmed His power and deliverance.
As a prophetess, she spoke with insight and divine inspiration. She also led the people in worship. When she proclaimed God’s victory, she did it with boldness and clarity.
However, it wasn’t shown in the Bible how she delivered sermons in the traditional sense. Then again, Miriam’s act of leading worship and testifying to God’s glory qualifies as preaching in the purest form. She declared God’s message and His mighty works.
In that case, she became the first woman to publicly proclaim the word of God in Scripture.
Next, let’s talk about another prophetess who could be one of the woman preachers mentioned in the Bible KJV.
In addition to Miriam as the possible first woman preacher in the bible KJV, we also encounter Deborah in Judges chapters 4 and 5. She was an extraordinary figure but she wasn’t only a prophetess but also a judge of Israel.
Thus, she had a position of immense spiritual authority and civil leadership.
She sat under the palm of Deborah in the hill country of Ephraim. People go to her for judgment and guidance.
Judges 4:4-5
“And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah… and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.”
Her role was unparalleled. She didn’t only judge the people but she also conveyed divine messages.
The following verses mention her calling upon Barak to gather troops. She promised victory in God’s name. Her actions demonstrated her authority to speak on behalf of the Lord. Her instructions weren’t just suggestions. Rather, they were divine mandates.
Led a Spiritual Song
Deborah was said to be another woman preacher in the bible KJV and led a spiritual song alongside Barak to celebrate the victory over Sisera, a military general. It was stated in Judges 5.
This poetic passage is one of the earliest examples of Hebrew poetry. It stood as a bold proclamation of God’s justice and deliverance.
How she proclaimed the word of God was the same way Miriam led worship. However, Deborah’s leadership had another dimension of legal and military oversight.
Her ministry might have extended further than Miriam’s. She didn’t only praise God but she also issued His commands and guided the nation spiritually and practically.
Her leadership role was unmatched among women in the OT. Furthermore, her role rivaled that of many male prophets and judges.
Her name appeared in 2 Kings 22:14-20. Huldah’s appearance was during the reign of King Josiah. During the restoration of the temple, the Book of the Law was found. Josiah sent his high officials to inquire of the Lord.
They didn’t go to Jeremiah, Zephaniah, or other male prophets alive at the time. Instead, they went to Huldah as a woman preacher in the bible KJV. It was a testament that she was a respected prophetess. She had spiritual authority and reliability in delivering God’s word.
“And she said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof…”
Her prophetic words weren’t only received without question. But it also led to one of the most vital reforms in Israel’s history. Her message prompted Josiah to tear his clothes in mourning, call the country to repentance, and restore the covenant with God.
She also interpreted Scripture, proclaimed judgment, and guided a king. It was something not many male prophets were experienced in.
Her ministry wasn’t the same as Miriam and Deborah. The reason for this is that her ministry was centered around interpreting written Scripture. That is, she engaged with the word of truth itself and delivered sound doctrine.
Thus, it places her in a unique category. She was one who not only heard God but also explained His written Law. Her story reveals that women were entrusted with the interpretation and proclamation of Scripture. It was a responsibility associated with teachers, preachers, or church leaders.
The First Woman Preacher
Among these women, who should be considered the first woman preacher in the Bible KJV? We need to consider the timeline in the Bible.
Miriam comes first, chronologically. Her ministry starts during the time of the Exodus. It means that it started centuries before Deborah and Huldah.
Furthermore, she is the first to be called a prophetess, the first to lead in worship, and the first to proclaim God’s message publicly after a major divine account.
Even though her ministry was small, it was an example of spiritual leadership and preaching in song.
Deborah, on the other hand, appears later in Israel’s history. It was during the time of the judges. Her role was broader than Miriam’s because it included military, judicial, and prophetic functions. Her prophetic song in Judges 5 qualifies as preaching. Her decisions also shaped the future of the country.
Highest Degree of Theological Influence
Huldah might have come after both. However, she demonstrated the highest degree of theological influence. The reason for this is that her message redirected a king and reestablished the Law in the hearts of the people of Israel. In terms of timeline, she is the last of the three.
In that case, Miriam must be recognized as the first woman preacher in the bible KJV. Her leadership through prophetic proclamation, praise, and worship set a precedent for female ministers who came after her.
Each of these women, however, had different roles of women in ministry. But they were all utilized by God to proclaim His word with power and clarity.
Their stories remain vital for the early church, the church today, and every generation seeking to understand the rightful place of women in ministry. As part of the body of Christ, these women had spiritual gifts that they practiced.
They also fulfilled important roles and advanced the good news of the Kingdom of God. They all proved that in the sight of God, both men and women are called to speak His truth.
Now, these three women weren’t the only ones who preached God. In the following section, let’s talk about the other women preacher who preached or taught in the New Testament.
The Gospel narratives and epistles reveal an unforgettable shift in the spiritual inclusion of women in the New Testament. In Biblical times, women’s roles were confined. That is, only a few women had public roles.
They might have taught the teachings of Jesus but their roles were limited. As a result, several notable women stepping into roles of influence, proclamation and theological instruction.
Among them, three figures stood out as having actively participated in spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God.
1.) The Samaritan Women at the Well
One of the most surprising encounters in the earthly ministry of Jesus was His conversation with the Samaritan woman at he well. It was recorded in John 4.
In this passage, Jesus travels through Samaria and sits at Jacob’s well. He engages in a culturally shocking dialogue with a Samaritan despised by the Jews but a woman with a complicated past.
What follows is a revelation of the Son of God as the promised Messiah and a testimony that leads many to faith.
After He reveals intimate details of her life. The woman responds with no shame but with curiosity and awe. She recognized Jesus as the Christ who transformed her. She left her water jar behind and rushed into her town to proclaim:
“Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” John 4:29
John 4:39 also tells us:
“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified…”
The Samaritan woman here becomes the first recorded evangelist in the Gospels. Notably, she wasn’t one of the 12 nor she was even Jewish. But she became a vessel for God’s word because she shared what Jesus had done for her.
The power of this woman preacher in the bible KJV and her testimony couldn’t be overstated. People were brought to Jesus through her own words. She didn’t preach in a synagogue or took an office of pastor. She only delivered the word of truth to her community. It resulted in salvation for many.
This is a clear demonstration of how a woman, through her personal encounter with Jesus and empowered by revelation could preach the good news without the need of institution recognition.
Her role aligns with the broader theme of Jesus empowering Christian women as part of His mission strategy. It only shows that the work of evangelism wasn’t limited by gender.
2.) Mary Magdalene
She held a special place among the women of the New Testament. Mary Magdalene was mentioned frequently in all four Gospels. She was a witness to the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
Her loyalty to Christ was unmatched. When many fled, she remained. This alone marked her as a woman of profound faith and courage.
However, her most crucial moment came on the morning of His resurrection. We find her in John 20:11-18 weeping outside of the tomb. When Jesus revealed Himself to her, she recognized Him and clung to Him. Jesus gave her a divine commission:
“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not … but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” John 20:17
After that, Mary went and delivered his message to the disciples:
“Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that He had spoken these things unto her.” John 20:18
That moment was extraordinary. The first witness of Jesus Christ’s resurrection was a woman. It was a cornerstone event of the Christian faith.
She didn’t just witness the resurrection. But Christ also commissioned her to announced it to the male disciples. Theologians referred to her role as the “apostle of the apostles.” The reason for this is that the risen Christ sent her to deliver the first post-resurrection message.
Her role directly challenged any assumption that women couldn’t serve as proclaimers of the Word of God. Jesus Himself chose her to be the first to tell of His victory over death.
She carried the good news of the Kingdom of God not as a secondary figure. Rather, she was the first messenger of the new era – the New Covenant.
It’s worth noting that she didn’t deliver her message in private or whisper her experience to just one person. Instead, she stood before the core leadership of the early Church, namely Peter, John, and the others. She delivered the news that would change the world.
Her actions only showed that women were called to speak the word of truth to both men and women. She was empowered by personal revelation and divine calling.
3.) Priscilla – A Teacher
Another woman in the New Testament who preached the Word of God and Truth was Priscila or Prisca. She played a vital role in the development of the early Church, along with her husband Aquila.
Their story spread across various passages. One of the most significant ones was found in Acts 18. That is when they encountered Apollos. He was a gifted speaker and teacher who was mighty in the Scriptures. However, he lacked the full understanding of the Gospel.”
Acts 18:28
“And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”
The passage describes Priscilla and Aquila operating as a ministry team. What’s remarkable is that her name was listed before her husband’s name in this passage and other references. This is highly unusual for the cultural context.
Many scholars believe that it indicates her prominence in teaching or leadership.
Unlike other preachers, Priscilla taught men and women in public. She and Aquila taught a male preacher. Their teaching corrected and refined Apollo’s theology about Jesus and the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
This wasn’t casual instruction. Rather, it was a moment of shaping future church doctrine. Their efforts ensured that the sound doctrine passed down from the apostles remained intact.
Her involvement showed that women in the early Church weren’t limited to passive roles. Instead, she took an active role in training male leaders in spiritual truths. She also demonstrated theological depth and taught the commandments.
Her example is an affirmation that the use of spiritual gifts, including teaching wasn’t restricted by gender but by spiritual maturity and calling.
Paul later refers to her and her husband as fellow workers in Christ Jesus. He placed them on equal footing with other missionaries and church leaders. This recognizes her authority and contribution in spreading the Gospel and edifying the body of Christ.
Were Women Allowed to Teach the Gospel?
This has been a theological debate for centuries. Many church traditions, especially those with a more literal or conservative approach to Scripture, cited a few passages as evidence that women must remain silent in church settings.
They must also refrain from teaching or exercising spiritual authority over men.
Two of them were 1 Timothy 2:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. But when you examine them in context, you could find a more inclusive view of women in ministry.
What Was Paul Addressing in 1 Timothy 2:11-12?
“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.’
At first glance, it seems like a clear-cut restriction. But when you interpret Scripture well, it requires understanding its context both cultural and literary.
Paul was writing to Timothy. He was a young leader overseeing the church in Ephesus. The Ephesian church was facing issues. These would include false teaching, disorder in worship, and confusion about the roles of women.
Ephesus was a city steeped in pagan worship of the goddess Artemis. The city often held religious and cultural influence. Some scholars believe that newly converted women were asserting themselves in disruptive ways in the church community.
In that case, Paul’s words weren’t a universal prohibition against women teaching the Gospel. Rather, it was a correction to a certain issue.
He starts by saying, “Let the woman learn …” It was a radical statement for the time since Jewish culture often restricted women’s access to theological instruction.
Apostle Paul’s goal appears to be order and clarity. It wasn’t an exclusion. The prohibition was directed at disruptive behavior, instead of humble, Spirit-led teaching seen elsewhere in Scripture.
Silence or Order
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”
Context is key here. In the same letter, Paul acknowledged that women were speaking in public worship. They were praying and prophesying.
“But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head…”. 1 Corinthians 11:5
If Paul let women pray and prophesy earlier in the letter, he could not have been contradicting himself by forbidding them to speak at all. Most scholars believe that this passage in chapter 14 refers to disorderly conduct, like interruptions or questioning during public teaching time that might have been disrespectful or distracting.
In the Greco-Roman context, formal education was less available to women. It could have led to misunderstanding during instruction. It prompted Paul to request that questions be asked at home, rather than disrupting the congregation.
This silence wasn’t absolute but situational. Rather, it was meant to preserve order, not to silence the voice of women forever in the church today.
Who Were the Women Who Taught and Prophesied?
If we take 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 14 as complete bans on women’s teaching, we can create a contradiction with numerous examples in Scripture where women were active in ministry.
Women, like Anna the prophetess, the four daughters of Philip who prophesied, and Lydia, who hosted one of the earliest charge gatherings in Philippi. They all participated in the ministry of the Gospel.
These women didn’t just operate in silence or subordination alone. Rather, they were contributors to the growth of the Church.
Prophecy was a spiritual gift not limited by gender. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter declared that the prophet Joel’s words were fulfilled:
“Your sons and your daughter shall prophesy…” Acts 2:17
By nature, prophecy involves speaking the Word of God publicly and authoritatively. These examples aren’t merely symbolic. They represent a theological reality that spiritual gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit without regard to gender.
Paul’s Commendation of Women in Ministry
The Apostle Paul did affirm women in ministry. It appeared in his personal greetings.
For instance, in Romans 16, Paul lists several coworkers, supporters, and fellow ministers. Many of them were women.
1.) Phoebe
“I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, which is a servant of the charge which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord… for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”
The Greek word for servant here is diakonos, the same word used elsewhere for deacon. Paul didn’t diminish her. Instead, he publicly endorsed her ministry. She was likely the one who delievered the letter to the Romans. It was a highly important and trusted task.
2.) Junia
“Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles…” Romans 16:7
Apostle Paul named her as an apostle or highly regarded by the apostles. Some translators attempted to masculinize her name into Junias. But there’s no theological evidence that Junia was a common male name.
The scholarly consensus today is that Junia was a woman. She was an apostolic figure in the early church.
3.) Priscilla
We’ve already mentioned her before. But she and her husband, Aquila, were helpers in Christ Jesus, according to Paul. Their names are inseparable in ministry and they were often mentioned together.
Priscilla is listed before her husband. This implies of her prominent role. Their influence stretched form Corinth to Epheuss and Rome. This shaped the theology of key leaders like Apollos.
Paul’s commendation of these women stands in contrast to the idea that he opposed female preaching. In fact, he calls these women his fellow workers. This is a phrase that he uses for Timothy and Titus.
Not Secondary Servants
In that case, these women weren’t just secondary servants. Rather, they were active contributors to the advancement of the Gospel.
The New Testament did reveal a picture of women in ministry that is far richer and more inclusive. The verses in 1 Timothy and 1 Corinthians were written for certain churches facing unique challenges. They must read in light of the broader narrative.
Paul’s own ministry was filled with the partnership of faithful women who proclaimed God’s message. They taught sound doctrine and nurtured the early Body of Christ.
These women weren’t only permitted to teach but they were also called, recognized and empowered to do so.
The Role of Women in Biblical Times
We need to explore the backdrop of biblical times to better understand the modern debate over women in ministry. The roles of women were shaped by religious traditions, expectations and societal norms. These roles were restrictive. But Scripture reveals that God used women frequently in ways that challenged cultural limitations.
Women’s roles in ancient Jewish society were domestic and relational. A woman’s identity was tied to her own household, as a wife, mother, or daughter.
Education in the law or Torah was reserved for boys and men. Women weren’t expected to speak publicly in synagogue or to interpret the Scriptures.
The office of overseer or religious teacher was assumed to be a male domain. Qualified men were chosen for leadership in civil and spiritual matters.
This context extended to religious life as well. Women could participate in some festivals and offerings. However, their visible roles in the temple were minimal.
Women Must Learn in Silence
When Paul wrote that a woman must learn in silence, he was addressing an already deeply rooted cultural expectation. That is, women weren’t seen as public teachers of the Word of Act.
Their religious involvement was assumed to be limited to supporting roles, modest behavior, and respectable apparel.
These norms were reinforced by an emphasis on women submitting to their own husbands and avoiding public displays of authority over men.
During the time of the early Christian church, expectations weren’t much different. Some Roman women held social influence. But public teaching and theological authority were still dominated by males. The notion of a female minister would have been unfamiliar in many communities.
Despite the restrictions, the Bible consistently shows that God used women in surprising ways. They served as judges, prophets, evangelists, and leaders. It only showed that God’s standards don’t always align with human traditions.
The framework of the time helps explain why female leadership may have been resisted. However, it doesn’t negate the fact that God himself called and empowered women for critical roles.
Verses That Support Women in Ministry
The Bible offers powerful support for women in ministry. The New Testament provides a new vision for spiritual equality and mutual participation in the Body of Christ.
1.) Galatians 3:28
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
It’s one of the declarations of equality in the Bible from the Apostle Paul. It transcends ethnic and gender roles. This asserts that in Christ, all believers are equally empowered and valued.
This doesn’t only speak salvation but also to spiritual inclusion. It means that spiritual calling and the use of spiritual gifts aren’t limited by gender. The distinctions that once defined social provide no longer applies in the same way in the Body of Christ.
2.) Joel 2:28
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…”
This is another affirmation of women in ministry. It echoes by Peter during the outpouring of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. This prophecy shatters any notion that spiritual gifts are reserved for men.
When Peter cited Joel on the Day of Pentecost, he declared that the age of the Holy Spirit started and that men and women would be active participants in declaring God’s word and truth.
Prophesying in Scripture wasn’t about predicting the future. Rather, it involved boldly speaking the Word of Truth. It delivered divine revelation and offered a rebuke to the people of God.
In essence, prophecy is preaching in public. God explicitly included “daughters” among those who would prophesy showing that He intended women to be vocal vessels of His truth.
3.) Romans 12:6-8
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us… whether prophecy, let us prophesy… or he that teacheth, on teaching…”
Throughout the New Testament, the talk about spiritual gifts never assigns these gifts based on gender. Various Bible verses describe the diversity of gifts given to the Body of Christ. However, none say that only men may receive certain gifts.
Paul doesn’t qualify these gifts with male pronouns or restrictions. The emphasis on grace and faith. When the Spirit distributes gifts, He does so according to His will. It’s not cultural hierarchy.
If a woman is given the gift of teaching, should she not teach? If she’s filled with the Spirit and called to declare God’s truth, should she be silenced simply because she’s female?
The presence of women preaching the Word of God demonstrates that women were already operating in teaching and leadership roles in the New Testament church. These weren’t exceptions to the rule; they were signs of the Holy Ghost’s inclusivity and empowerment.
Women Can Preach
When you study the Bible KJV, you will understand that women can preach. They’re allowed to do so. God has used women to proclaim His message and truth.
From Miriam, the first woman preacher in the Bible KJV to Deborah to Huldah, we see that women played a vital role in spiritual leadership even in times when expectations tried to silence them. The truth continues and deepens in the New Testament. There are testimonies of Spirit-empowered proclamation.
Men and Women Can Preach God’s Truth
Women preachers aren’t modern invention. They’re part of God’s design and purpose from the start. Galatians 3:28 reminds us that there’s no male or female when it comes to preaching God’s truth.
Preaching isn’t about position. Rather, it’s about calling, anointing, and obedience to the Holy Spirit. The Word of God in the King James version offers us a picture of a God who calls men and women to speak boldly.
The Church today is stronger when it embraces the voice of the Body of Christ, including the voices of faithful women proclaiming the Word of Truth.
Jane is a Roman Catholic on a journey of re-learning about God and deepening her understanding of the Bible. She has over a decade of experience as a copywriter. Her goal is to blend her passion for writing with her spiritual journey. She writes content that doesn’t just uplift but also connects with people who wish to seek a deeper understanding of God’s word. Follow Jane on LinkedIn or Instagram.
