Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5707 male and female
God created humanity as male and female. Although gender differences are evident in behaviour and role, Scripture teaches the equality and complementarity of the sexes.
The creation of male and female
Genesis 1:27 See also Genesis 2:20-24; Genesis 5:2
The fall disrupted relationships between male and female
Genesis 3:14-19 See also 2 Samuel 13:1-19; Proverbs 5:3-14; Matthew 5:28; Romans 1:26-27
The equality of male and female
Equality under many old covenant regulations
Numbers 5:5-7 See also Leviticus 20:10-12; Numbers 5:1-4; Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Deuteronomy 23:17-18
Equality in religious observance
Exodus 35:22 See also Numbers 6:1-4; Deuteronomy 31:12; 2 Samuel 6:19
Equality of accountability
Lamentations 2:21 See also Leviticus 20:27; 2 Chronicles 36:15-17; Acts 5:1-11
Equality in Christ
Galatians 3:26-28 See also Acts 2:17-18; Joel 2:28-29; 1 Corinthians 11:11-12
Variations in the treatment of male and female
In OT patriarchal society
Leviticus 27:1-7 See also Genesis 17:9-14; Exodus 13:1-2,14-15; Numbers 3:14-15; Numbers 5:11-31; Numbers 18:8-10
In legislation protecting women under the old covenant
Numbers 27:1-7 See also Numbers 36:1-12; Deuteronomy 22:13-19,25-29
In roles within the NT church community
1 Corinthians 14:33-35 See also 1 Corinthians 11:3-10; Ephesians 5:22-24 The idea of “headship” is complex, but is generally regarded as including the ideas of responsibility and authority within a relationship; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Titus 2:1-5
In behaviour within the NT church community
1 Timothy 2:8-10 See also 1 Corinthians 11:3-16; 1 Timothy 5:1-2
Male and female roles within marriage
1 Corinthians 7:1-7 See also Proverbs 31:10-31; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:1-7
Male and female imagery used of God
Female imagery
Matthew 23:37 pp Luke 13:34 See also Proverbs 8:1-11; Isaiah 66:12-13
Male imagery
Psalm 47:2 See also Exodus 15:3; Psalm 23:1; Matthew 6:6; Luke 11:11-13 pp Matthew 7:9-11
See also
1215 God, feminine descriptions 5080 Adam 5093 Eve 5674 daughters 5684 fathers 5700 headship 5708 marriage 5714 men 5718 mothers 5738 sons 5745 women 7733 leaders