Complete List of All the Mothers in the Bible (Good and Bad)

While the Bible contains many famous stories of strong men, such as Sampson, King David, Joshua, and Moses, I have always been drawn to the women of the Bible.

Especially after becoming a mother, I’ve enjoyed learning about the mothers in the Scriptures. God’s Word provides us with numerous stories about these strong matriarchs, many of whom persevered despite facing incredible challenges and unforeseen circumstances.

Whether it is Mary, the mother of Jesus, Naomi, Ruth, or Hannah, these extraordinary mothers of the Bible exemplify the epitome of maternal strength and have left a lasting legacy of faith, hope, and unwavering love.

That’s why, in this article, we’re covering the whole list of mothers in the Bible — both the famous mothers in the Bible and the unknown mothers in the Bible. I hope this list will serve as a starting point for your own research on biblical mothers.

Let’s get started!

Complete List of All the Mothers in the Bible

While there is not sufficient space to explore the stories of every single mother of the Bible in depth, the following is a list of all the mothers in the Bible to get you started.

Please note: For this list, I’ve only included women who the Bible explicitly mentions are mothers. While it would have been extremely rare for married women during biblical times to not have at least one child, the Bible doesn’t always include this information for every woman so we don’t always know for sure.

For a comprehensive list of every woman mentioned in the Bible (whether biblical mother or not), I recommend this Wikipedia page, which served as research for me when I was compiling the following list of mothers in the Bible.

Abigail #1 – sister of King David (not to be confused with his wife, who was also named Abigail) and mother of Amasa (1 Chronicles)
Abigail #2 – wife of Nabal, later one of King David’s wives, and mother of Chileab (1 Samuel)
Abihail – mother of Ahban and Molid (1 Chronicles)
Ahinoam #1 – wife of King Saul and mother of Michal (one of King David’s wives) (1 Samuel)
Ahinoam #2 – one of King David’s wives and mother of Amnon (1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles)
Asenath – Joseph’s wife and mother of Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis)
Athaliah – daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel, wife of King Jehoram, and mother of several children–most notably King Ahaziah of Judah (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles)
Azubah #2 – wife of King Asa (the third king of Judah) and the mother of Jehoshaphat (1 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
Bathsheba* – wife of Uriah the Hittite, later wife of King David, and mother of King Solomon (2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles)
Bilhah – Rachel’s handmaid, Rachel’s husband Jacob’s concubine, and mother of two sons, Dan and Naphtali (Genesis)
Bithiah – Pharaoh’s daughter and adoptive mother of Moses (Exodus)
Cannibal Mothers of Samaria – two unnamed mothers who ate their children (2 Kings)
Elizabeth – wife of Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist (Luke)
Eunice – mother of Timothy (2 Timothy)
Eve – wife of Adam and mother of Cain, Abel, and Seth, along with other sons and daughters (Genesis)
Gomer – wife of the prophet Hosea, and mother of two sons–Jezreel and Lo-Ammi–and one daughter, Lo-Ruhamah (Hosea)
Hagar – Egyptian handmaiden of Sarah (wife of Abraham) and mother of one of Abraham’s sons, Ishmael (Genesis)
Haggith – one of King David’s wives and mother of Adoniyah (2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles)
Hamutal – wife of Josiah and mother of two ungodly sons, Jehoahaz and Mattaniah (2 Kings, Jeremiah)
Hannah – mother of the prophet Samuel, plus five more children after he was born (1 Samuel)
Hephzibah – wife of King Hezekiah and mother of Manasseh (2 Kings)
Herodias – granddaughter of Herod the Great and mother of Salome (Matthew)
Jecholiah – wife of Amaziah (a king of Judah) and mother of Uzziah (2 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
Jedidah – wife of King Manasseh and mother of Josiah (2 Kings)
Jeroboam’s Wife – wife of Jeroboam and mother of Abijah (1 Kings)
Jerusha – wife of King Uzziah and mother of Jotham (2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles)
Jezebel – wife of King Ahab of Israel and mother of sons Ahaziah and Jehoram and daughter Athaliah (1 and 2 Kings)
Jochebed – mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (Exodus, Numbers)
Leah – first wife of Jacob and mother of six sons–Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun–and a daughter, Dinah (Genesis, Ruth)
Lois – grandmother of Timothy (2 Timothy)
Maacah #1 – one of King David’s wives and mother of Absalom (2 Samuel)
Maacah #2 – second wife of King Rehoboam and mother of Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith (2 Chronicles)
Mary* – wife of Joseph and mother of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Galatians)
Mary – mother of James and Joseph (Matthew)
Mary – mother of John Mark (Acts)
Me-Zahab – mother of Matred (Genesis, 1 Chronicles)
Mother of King Lemuel – mother of King Lemuel, who inspired Proverbs 31 (Proverbs)
Mothers who fought over a baby – two unnamed mothers who both claimed the same baby; King Solomon wisely determined who was the mother (1 Kings)
Naamah – mother of King Rehoboam (2 Chronicles)
Naomi – mother–in–law of Ruth and mother of two sons, Mahlon and Chilion (Ruth)
Rachel – second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin (Genesis, 1 Samuel, Jeremiah, Matthew)
Rahab* – mother of Boaz (Joshua, Matthew, Hebrews, James)
Rebekah – wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau (Genesis, Romans)
Ruth* – widow of Mahlon, wife of Boaz, and mother of Obed (Ruth, Matthew)
Sarah – wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac (Genesis, Isaiah, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews, 1 Peter)
Shelomit – mother of a blasphemer (Leviticus)
Tamar* – widow of Er, daughter-in-law of Judah, and mother of two of his children–Zerah and Perez (Genesis)
Timnah – concubine of Eliphaz and mother of Amalek (Genesis)
Zibiah – royal consort of King Ahaziah of Judah and mother of King Jehoash (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles)
Zeruiah – older sister of King David and mother of three sons–Abishai, Joab, and Asahel (2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles)
Zillah – wife of Lamech and mother of Tubal-cain and Naamah (Genesis)
Zilpah – Leah’s handmaid who mothered two sons by Jacob, Gad and Asher (Genesis)
Zipporah – wife of Moses and mother of two sons, Gershom and Eliezer (Exodus)

*The starred mothers of the Bible are named in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17.

Examples of Good Mothers in the Bible

The Bible is filled with inspiring stories, and among them are powerful examples of biblical mothers who exemplified faith, courage, and love. These remarkable mothers of the Bible demonstrate what it means to trust God in every season of motherhood. From patience to perseverance, the lives of these godly mothers in the Bible continue to encourage women today.

Here are eleven examples of good mothers in the Bible we can learn from today.

1. Mary: A Biblical Mother Who Trusted God Despite Uncertainty

Probably the most famous mother in the entire Bible, Mary’s life shows us that we can trust God in all the unknowns of life.

Mary is a young woman of humble means living with her family in a small town in Israel. After a visit from the angel Gabriel telling her that she will miraculously bear a son (the future Messiah Jesus), Mary’s final response is, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me” (Luke 1:38).

This simple and profound statement speaks volumes about Mary’s faith in God. And while her life as the mother of Jesus was far from easy, it was a life of faithfulness to God and trust that He would care for her every step of the way.

2. Sarah: A Mom Who Persevered In the Face of Infertility

Sarah was the wife of Abraham from the Old Testament. Her husband was promised by God to be “the father of a multitude of nations” (Genesis 17:5), yet she remained barren.

Even after her childbearing years, God’s promise remained that she would be the mother of His chosen people. Although she was extremely skeptical and even laughed at the idea of having a child in her old age, God reminded her of his power by saying, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:13)

Just as God said, Sarah did indeed conceive and bear a son, Isaac, when she was 90 years old–in God’s perfect timing. We can learn from Sarah that God is a God of wonders and He keeps His promises.

3. Eve: The First Mother of All Mankind

It’s hard to discuss mothers in the Bible without mentioning the very first mother, Eve. Eve was the first woman, the first wife, and sadly, the first to be tempted by Satan, thus making her one of the most famous women in the Bible.

Eve knew the rule God had given her in Genesis, which states, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden – except the tree of knowledge of good and evil…” (Genesis 2:16-17), but she allowed her focus to become fixated on what she could not have.

The sin that led to her exile from the Garden of Eden also affected the rest of her family. As a mother, Eve’s two sons, Cain and Abel, are the first recorded murder story in the Bible. In Eve’s case, we can learn what not to do when it comes to temptation and sin.

4. Rachel: A Dedicated Mother

Full of scandal and jealousy, Rachel’s life reads more like a soap opera than a Bible story. After a tumultuous start to her marriage to Jacob (Genesis 29), Rachel struggles to conceive and bear children for Jacob. Adding insult to injury is her sister, Leah, Jacob’s other wife—yes, you read that right—bearing multiple children for her husband.

Rachel so desperately wants to be a mother that she has her servant become a surrogate! While God does eventually give Rachel two sons, it comes at a great cost to her contentment and peace.

We can learn many lessons from Rachel, such as her commitment and dedication to her children, but our ultimate lesson should be to trust in God alone for our identity in every stage of motherhood.

5. Leah: An Undervalued Mom

Leah was one of the two wives of Jacob in the Old Testament. Part of the beauty of the story of Leah is that even though she wasn’t the attractive “star” of her family (like her sister Rachel), God still used her in an amazing way.

Besides being the mother of six of the twelve sons who would become the tribes of Israel, one of her sons became the father of the tribe that gave birth to both King David and, eventually, Jesus the Messiah. Leah’s life reminds us that God has given each of us everything we need to accomplish his purpose for our lives right now.

He doesn’t need us to lose the baby weight or look “put together” before He can use us. God was intentional in the way He created Leah, and He is just as intentional about the plan He has for our lives.

6. Hannah: A Patient Mom Who Trusted God

Hannah’s story from the book of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament is one of patience and trusting God while struggling with infertility.

Hannah pleaded with God to give her a child and promised to dedicate the child back to the Lord if He answered her prayers. God faithfully heard Hannah’s prayer and gave her a son, whom she named Samuel. Samuel later became a powerful prophet and helped unite the kingdom of Israel under King Saul.

This story is a beautiful example of how to lay your fears, insecurities, and burdens at God’s feet. He hears our cries and knows our pain. The Lord is faithful to give hope and joy in all seasons of motherhood.

7. Elizabeth: An Encouraging Mom Who Believed In Miracles

Similar to the story of Hannah from 1 Samuel, Elizabeth also struggled with the pain of infertility.

According to the Gospel of Luke, God sent an angel to Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband, while he was performing his priestly duties, and declared that Elizabeth, even in her old age, would give birth to a son. This boy will be called John (later known as John the Baptist), and he will prepare the way of the Lord by inaugurating the ministry of Jesus the Messiah.

Elizabeth is also known for her friendship with another mother who had a miraculous conception story — her cousin Mary, the mother of Jesus. We can learn from Elizabeth about how to be a true friend to other moms who are going through challenging times and encourage them to remain faithful to God.

8. Naomi: A Kind Mother-in-Law

Naomi’s life is a wonderful example of the power of a mother-in-law (or a spiritual mother) in someone’s life. When her husband and two sons are killed while living abroad, Naomi decides to return to her homeland and live out her days as a bitter and penniless widow.

What she didn’t expect was her daughter-in-law, Ruth, to remain faithful and loyal by her side, refusing to return to her own biological family. Naomi decided to use this beautiful act of love to place Ruth in favorable scenarios where her devotion and kindness were on display for all to see.

In the end, Naomi’s actions help Ruth marry a benevolent and upstanding man, Boaz, and Naomi sees God’s redemption from bitterness to joy in her life.

9. Jochebed: A Courageous Mom

Her name may not be familiar, but her son’s name and story certainly are.

Born as a Hebrew slave in Egypt, Jochebed lived during a time when the Pharaoh was fearful of rebellion from his slaves and ordered all baby boys to be thrown into the Nile River. Rather than obey Pharaoh, Jochebed hid her son for as long as she could, then crafted a basket and gently placed him in it among the reeds on the riverbank.

By God’s grace and plan, Pharaoh’s daughter saw the baby in the basket and had pity on him. She decided to raise the child as her own and was given the name of a wet nurse, Jochebed, who could feed and raise the child until he was older.

And when the child was found among the reeds, the Pharaoh’s daughter named him…Moses. The future deliverer of the Hebrew people out of Egypt.

Jochebed’s life teaches us that when we seek to honor God, He will faithfully provide all we need.

10. Lois and Eunice: A Teaching Mom and Grandma

Lois and Eunice are briefly mentioned in the New Testament book of 2 Timothy, but their legacy has lived on for generations.

Their son and grandson, respectively, was Timothy, a pastor under the mentorship of the apostle Paul. Timothy is known for his faith and devotion to Christ, as well as his love for the church, which he learned directly from his mother and grandmother.

Lois and Eunice show us the impact of teaching our children (and grandchildren) the Christian faith. We can positively influence future generations by investing in our children and grandchildren today.

11. Ruth: A Mother of Integrity

Ruth is a truly unique story in the Bible because she did not grow up in Jewish culture. She was an outsider who showed incredible integrity and loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and future husband, Boaz.

Her son, Obed, would continue Ruth’s legacy and become the grandfather of King David, a man renowned for his fierce love and loyalty to his people and God.

Example of Bad Mothers in the Bible

While the Bible highlights many faithful women, it also includes sobering examples of mothers who made destructive choices. These bad mothers in the Bible serve as a reminder of the consequences of pride, deceit, and misplaced priorities. By studying these stories, we can learn what to avoid and grow into godly mothers instead.

1. Rebekah: A Manipulative Mom

Rebekah is the wife of Isaac, the only son of Abraham and Sarah, as mentioned in the Old Testament. After struggling for 20 years to conceive a child, God hears Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah gives birth to twin boys.

Rather than trust God with her sons and allow them to grow into their God-given roles, Rebekah openly favors her younger son, Jacob, over her older son, Esau. Her actions culminate in an elaborate deception that forces Esau out of his birthright and sends Jacob on the run from his angry brother.

While it’s easy to get anxious or impatient when God doesn’t seem to work within our timeframe, we need to remember to wait on the Lord and know that His timing is best. Take a lesson from Rebekah to not pit family members against each other and meddle in God’s perfect plans.

2. Jezebel: A Wicked Mother Who Led Her Family Into Idolatry

One of the most notorious figures in the Bible, Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab and the mother of both King Ahaziah and her infamous daughter Athaliah.

Jezebel was known for her ruthless promotion of Baal worship, manipulation, and persecution of God’s prophets.

Rather than leading her family to worship the one true God, Jezebel used her influence to steer the entire nation of Israel away from Him. Her son followed in her footsteps, continuing to idolize and rebel against her. Jezebel’s life serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of using our influence for evil instead of godliness.

3. Athaliah: A Controlling Mother Who Usurped Power at Any Cost

Athaliah was no better off than her evil mother, Jezebel, and, in fact, some believe she was even worse.

Athaliah, the daughter of Jezebel and mother of King Ahaziah (of Judah–not to be confused with her brother, who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel), took wickedness to another level when she seized the throne of Judah after her son’s death. To secure her position, she ordered the massacre of the royal family, including her own grandchildren.

Although one grandson, Joash, was hidden and later became king, Athaliah’s legacy is one of greed, manipulation, and violence. Her life serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of prioritizing personal power over the well-being of one’s family and the will of God.

4. Maacah: A Grandmother Who Promoted Idolatry

Maacah, the mother of King Asa and grandmother to the royal family of Judah, held a powerful position as queen mother. Unfortunately, she used her influence to promote the worship of Asherah, a false goddess.

Even after her son Asa became king and sought to follow God, Maacah persisted in her idolatrous practices until Asa finally removed her from her royal role (1 Kings 15:13).

Maacah’s story shows us that no matter our age or status, we must surrender our influence to God’s authority, not our own desires.

5. Jeroboam’s Wife: A Deceitful Mother Who Couldn’t Hide the Truth

When her son became sick, Jeroboam’s wife disguised herself and went to the prophet Ahijah to seek help (1 Kings 14). Though she tried to hide her identity, God revealed everything to the prophet, and he pronounced judgment on her household.

Instead of humbly seeking God’s mercy, she participated in deceit and attempted to manipulate the outcome. Her story reminds us that God sees our hearts and desires honesty, humility, and repentance, not deception.

6. The Mother Who Tried to Trick King Solomon: A Selfish, Desperate Woman

In the famous case brought before King Solomon (1 Kings 3:16–27), two women fought over a living baby. One woman’s child had died, and she claimed the other woman’s baby as her own.

When Solomon proposed to divide the living baby in two, the real mother pleaded for the child’s life, while the other agreed to the gruesome proposal. While little is known about these women, this selfish reaction reveals how envy and desperation can cloud maternal instincts and moral judgment.

7. The Cannibal Mothers of Samaria: A Tragic Example of Desperation and Moral Collapse

In one of the most disturbing stories of the Bible, two mothers in Samaria resorted to cannibalism during a siege by the Arameans (2 Kings 6:28–29). One mother agreed to cook and eat her son with the promise that they would eat the other mother’s son the next day.

This horrifying account reveals the level of despair and depravity that can result from turning away from God. While it reflects the broader spiritual state of the nation at the time, it also serves as a haunting reminder of what happens when we lose our moral compass in the face of suffering.

8. Gomer: An Unfaithful Mother in Need of Redemption

Gomer, the wife of the prophet Hosea, is known for her repeated unfaithfulness. Though she bore children with Hosea, she returned to a life of promiscuity, leaving her family behind.

Her story is symbolic of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God, but it also serves as a reminder that our actions as mothers profoundly affect our children and homes.

9. Herodias: A Manipulative Mother Who Used Her Daughter

Herodias, the wife of Herod Antipas, used her daughter as a pawn to exact revenge on John the Baptist, who had publicly condemned her unlawful marriage.

During a banquet, Herodias had her daughter dance before Herod and his guests. Pleased, Herod promised the girl anything she desired. At her mother’s urging, she shockingly requested the head of John the Baptist on a platter (Mark 6:22-25).

Herodias’s story illustrates the dangers of using motherhood to manipulate and control, rather than to nurture and protect.

Lessons from Mothers in the Bible

There are so many life lessons we can learn from mothers in the Scriptures.

For example, even those mothers in the Bible that we remember as good mothers weren’t always perfect.

Sarah laughed when God told her she would become a mother. She didn’t believe God could perform such a miracle because she was so old.
Rachel was so desperate for children that she gave her servant to Jacob as a surrogate, then later stole her father’s household idols when fleeing home.
Even Hannah, a faithful and prayerful woman, showed a moment of bitterness and deep anguish before surrendering her desire for a child to God.

These stories remind us that God’s faithfulness doesn’t depend on our perfection. He meets us in our doubts and still chooses to use us.

Just like we can learn lessons from the good mothers in the Bible, the stories of the bad mothers in Scripture should caution us on how not to live. They illustrate what can happen when we prioritize pride, selfishness, or idolatry over obedience to God.

Whether the examples are inspiring or sobering, each of these biblical mothers teaches us something valuable about God’s character, His grace, and how we can grow in our own journey of motherhood.

Who are your favorite mothers in the Bible? What lessons have you learned from them?

Complete List of All the Mothers in the Bible (Good and Bad)

Complete List of All the Mothers in the Bible

Examples of Good Mothers in the Bible

1. Mary: A Biblical Mother Who Trusted God Despite Uncertainty