A Look at Examples of Bad Mothers in the Bible

Introduction

It can be hard to be a mother. You have to constantly worry about your kids, whether you’re doing a good job, and if they’re going to turn out okay. But even the best mothers make mistakes sometimes.

In the Bible, there are a lot of examples of bad mothers. Some of them are terrible, and their kids turn out pretty bad. But even bad mothers can be forgiven by God if they repent and ask for forgiveness.

So if you’re having a tough day as a mother, remember that you’re not alone. God understands and loves you no matter what you do. And he’s always willing to forgive you if you ask for his help.

Sarah and Hagar: The Jealous Mother

The Bible is filled with examples of bad mothers. One such example is the story of Sarah and Hagar.

Sarah was the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. When she could not have children, she gave her maid, Hagar, to Abraham to bear a child. But Sarah became jealous when she saw Hagar enjoying a preferential treatment from Abraham. So Sarah drove Hagar and her son Ishmael out into the desert.

Hagar and Ishmael nearly died in the desert, but an angel saved them.

Rebekah and Isaac: The Manipulative Mother

You might remember Rebekah from the story of Isaac and Jacob. Isaac was Rebekah’s son, and she was very manipulative when it came to him. She tricked her husband into giving her son the blessing meant for her older son, Esau.

Rebekah is a perfect example of a bad mother. She was ego-centric, always putting her own needs first. She was also incredibly dishonest, manipulating those around her to get what she wanted. Ultimately, her actions caused a lot of pain for her sons.

Leah and Her Sons: The Selfish Mother

One example of a bad mother from the Bible is Leah. Leah was the older sister of Rachel and the first wife of Jacob. Leah was not Jacob’s first choice for a wife. Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah by her father, Laban. Leah was not as beautiful as her sister Rachel; because of this, she was not as loved by her husband. Leah was very jealous of Rachel and always tried to compete with her.

Leah had four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. She was very fond of her firstborn son Reuben and showed him a lot of favoritism. She was also very hard on her second son Simeon and often spoke harshly to him. Levi and Judah were her youngest sons, and she treated them fairly.

Jezebel and Daughter: The Self-Centered Mother

Let’s look at the infamous Jezebel and her daughter, Athaliah. As is often the case with bad mothers, Jezebel was the epitome of self-centeredness. Her story is well known for her refusal to accept God as the highest authority and her ambitious attempts to make herself queen of Israel.

Young Athaliah was unfortunately raised in an environment that nurtured this self-focus. To add insult to injury, her mother’s death resulted in Athaliah taking over as queen, having been educated in Jezebel’s twisted ways. Sadly, Athaliah continued down this path and was eventually overthrown and killed due to her wickedness.

Athaliah’s failed attempt at carrying out Jezebel’s legacy only serves as a reminder that lousy mothering will not go unpunished, even if it takes centuries to produce results.

Athaliah: The Usurping Mother

Athaliah is one of the most notorious bad mothers in the Bible. She was the daughter of an evil king and the mother of two competing kings. When her son took the throne, Athaliah seized control and usurped his power. She seized power as a regent, ruling as a queen in her own right while systematically eliminating any potential heir to the throne, including her grandchildren. Her ruthlessness and ambition made Athaliah an example of a bad mother in the Bible and a cautionary tale for people today.

Herodias and Daughter: The Vindictive Mother

The sixth mother we are looking at is the vindictive Herodias and her daughter. Herodias was married to King Herod, who was the ruler of Galilee. She was a cunning and powerful woman who sought to settle her scores. She asked for the head of John the Baptist as revenge for his speaking out against her marriage to Herod.

Her daughter, also named Herodias, saw an opportunity to help her mother get revenge against John and eagerly took it up. Even though she must have known the gravity of asking for someone’s life, she did not waver in her request and received what she wanted from King Herod – an act that cost John his life.

This vengeful story shows that bad mothers teach their daughters the wrong things, so much so that even children are willing to go against their conscience for them. It serves as a reminder of how important it is for mothers to be mindful of what values they teach their daughters.

Conclusion

In short, the Bible is full of examples of bad mothers. Some of these women are downright evil, while others are simply misguided. No matter what their bad behavior is, though, the result is always tragic.

Although the Bible has examples of bad mothers, they are the exception to the rule. Most mothers in the Bible are loving, caring women who go above and beyond to protect and care for their children. These women are often the glue that holds their families together in difficult times. They are an example of what it means to be a good mother.