The Evolution of Female Archetypes in Biblical and Post-Biblical Literature

This article explores the intersection of gender theory and biblical interpretation, articulating how the scriptures-both the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the New Testament-engage with gender, sex, identity, and power. It begins by locating key theoretical categories (gender, sex, identity, complementarity, hierarchy, intersectionality) and shows how recent scholarship brings them to bear on biblical texts. Next it traces pivotal biblical texts and themes: creation (e.g. Genesis 1-3), roles of men and women in Israel (e.g. prophets, queens, priestly systems), Pauline texts (e.g. Galatians 3:28), and the fluidity or disruption of gender categories (e.g. prophetic metaphors of God, and linguistic usages). The article then assesses how modern gender theoryespecially feminist, queer, and intersectional approaches-relates to biblical studies and offers fresh readings of the Bible’s gendered world. Finally, it discusses hermeneutical implications for teaching, faith communities, and theological reflection in the twenty-first century.