Holy Women and Mary

In the Old Testament there are many examples of Marian figures. The Blessed Mother Mary is typified many times in the Old Testament by the women of the Bible; these women are often known as the Holy Women. Mary is seen as a culmination of the Holy Women of the Bible.

The Blessed Mother is typified in many accounts of the Old Testament. She is seen in Eve the mother of all living things. Mary is considered a new Eve, the Mother of all things in the supernatural order. Mary is the Mother of the Son of Man just as Eve is the mother of mankind.

Another of these personifications is seen in the Holy Woman Esther. The Jewish Queen of the Persian Empire, Esther, was exempted from the rule forbidding approach to the king without a special call; so she came to the King of the Persians magnificently adorned in all of her royal beauty and dress. She came accordingly to intercede for her people, the Israelites, who had been condemned by the enemy of the Jews because Esther's uncle would not bow before him. Mary was exempted from Original Sin, was magnificently adorned with grace, and she like Esther intercedes for those destined to perish, sinners.

Two other types of Mary in the Old Testament are the women Jael and Judith. Jael impales the head of Sisera, the enemy of her people, and Judith cuts off the head of Holofernes, the General-in-Chief of the Assyrians who was pursuing the Israelites. This parallels Mary's crushing of the head of Satan the enemy of her people, all of Mankind. In both cases the women are praised as "Blessed." This praise also parallels the praise given to Mary, "Blessed art thou amongst women."

Yet another type of Mary in the Old Testament is seen in Sarah, the wife of Abraham, who also experienced a miraculous conception. Sarah gave birth to Isaac though she was long past the age of bearing children. This conception was foretold by a heavenly messenger. This is just like Mary who miraculously conceived Jesus though she could not have done so without divine intervention. Her conception of Jesus was also foretold by a heavenly messenger, The Archangel Gabriel.

As can be seen the Marian figure can be observed throughout the Old Testament and Mary is the personification and fulfillment of all the holy women of the Old Testament.

Introduction to the Bible
Fr. John Laux MA
Tan Books
Published 1932