From The Red Tent to Marek Halter's Canaan trilogy, biblical women have inspired numerous contemporary writers-who, in turn, have captivated millions of readers. Duquesne returns to the original scriptures to evaluate the often controversial roles, responsibilities, and relationships of women in the Old and New Testaments. In doing so, he shows the significant contribution women made to life in ancient Israel and their importance in spreading the Christian Word throughout the Western world. The lives of well-know figures such as Eve and Esther, along with those of less familiar characters such as Rahad and Huldah, are brought to life in this beautiful collection. Portraits are accompanied by a biblical passage and illustrated with religious art throughout the centuries.