The Bible contains women that extended a helping hand to the needy and these are regarded as beautiful-hearted women in the Bible, it did not let out of the men’s fold that equally made positive impacts with their kind gestures.
But the scripture presents lots of women whose beauty steamed from their inner characters.
These women showed empathy and offered listening ears to those in need and showed compassion towards those who struggled in one way or the other.
They made a great impact in their era and serve as a source of inspiration to present-day Christians. Here, I want to discuss just seven of them.
The 7 Most Beautiful-Hearted Women in the Bible
In the entire Bible, there are several examples of beautiful-hearted women who exhibited kindness, love, compassion and care as their characters and values.
1. Ruth
Ruth 1:14-18
“14. Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.15. And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16. But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” 18. And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more”.
Ruth 1:14-18 (ESV)
Ruth is regarded as a beautiful-hearted woman in the Bible because of her devotion and loyalty to her mother-in-law Noami, even in the face of grief and loss, She remained steadfast and hopeful for better days.
2. Mary Magdalene
John 20:11-18
11. “But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14. Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16. Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17. Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. 18. Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” — and that he had said these things to her”.
John 20:11-18 (ESV)
Mary Magdalene is another example of a beautiful-hearted woman, she stood by Christ in his trying moments, and even when he was dead and buried, she kept her faith alive and went to the grave to ensure her lord and personal saviour had risen as he promised.
Because of her beautiful heart, she was the first mortal to see Jesus Christ after his resurrection on the third day after his crucifixion. She could be likened to one of the disciples of Christ because Jesus instructed her to break the news of his resurrection to his disciples.
3. Mary, Martha’s Sister
John 12:3-8
3. “Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5. “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6. He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
John 12:3-8 (ESV)
Mary, Martha’s Sister showed love to Jesus in a way that left the disciples questioning what they considered a wasteful attitude. Jesus felt honored because of the kindness she showed Him.
She poured a costly oil on Jesus and wiped it with her hair. Her generosity and thankful heart were the attributes that singled her out as one of the beautiful hearted women in the Bible.
4. Abigail
1 Samuel 25:18-42
“18. Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys.19. And she said to her young men, “Go on before me; behold, I come after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.20. And as she rode on the donkey and came down under cover of the mountain, behold, David and his men came down toward her, and she met them. 21. Now David had said, “Surely in vain have I guarded all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good. 22. God do so to the enemies of David and more also, if by morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him.” 23. When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. 24. She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant.25. Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent”.
1 Samuel 25:18-25 (ESV)
Abigail was blessed with a discerning spirit, proactive nature and wisdom that saved her household from destruction. She was generous and futuristic in her plans.
She complimented the weakness of her first husband, Nabal and became the wife of King David after the death of her first husband.
5. Esther
Esther 4:4, 15 & 16
4. When Esther’s young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.15. Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16. “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
Esther 4:4, 15 & 16 (ESV)
Esther is one of the most beautiful-hearted women in the Bible. Esther fasted and prayed for the safety of her household and God heeded her plea for her people.
She was courageous. Her wisdom saved the Jews from destruction, and although she risked her life, she stood on the path of justice and exhibited true selflessness and commitment. Today the Jewish culture celebrates her services to the tribe.
6. The Shunammite Woman
2 Kings 4:8-17
“8. One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So, whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. 9. And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. 10. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.” 11. One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. 12. And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13. And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” 14. And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” 15. He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16. And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, man of God; do not lie to your servant.” 17. But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her”.
2 Kings 4:8-17 (ESV)
The Shunammite is another example of a woman that was imbued with the character of good-heartedness. She benefited greatly from her show of love to the man of God, Elisha.
She was hospitable, accommodating and thoughtful in doing good work and showing kindness to strangers and those in need of help and assistance.
Her beautiful heart made her become a mother through the proclamation of a Prophet she showed kindness.
7. Dorcas
Acts 9:36-43
36. “Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay. ”39. So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.
Acts 9:36-43 (ESV)
Dorcas is another example of a woman that exhibited a character of good-heartedness and the prayers of the people she helped bring her back to life on her deathbed.
Conclusion
The scripture defines its standard of beauty which is embedded in love, care, kindness, compassion, empathy and values. Beautiful-heartedness inspires others to be compassionate, care and show kindness to others as well.
When this happens, it creates a multiplier effect of goodness and creates an atmosphere of joy, hope and happiness for people around us.
May God help every Christian with beautiful hearts of kindness, love and care towards one another, with this, every Christian shall radiate good fruits and exhibits good character and values.