(Women and Words) What is the most mistranslated Bible verse about women? with Dr. Hélène Dallaire

In this episode of Mutuality Matters, “Women and Words: Bible Translation and Why it Matters,” Dr. Helene Dallaire, who holds a PhD in Hebraic and Cognate Studies and serves as the Earl S. Callen Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Denver Seminary. This episode touches on the most mistranslated verse in Scripture, prophetesses in the Old and New Testament, Genesis 1 and 2, and more! 

 

00:00 Introduction to Mutuality Matters 

01:00 Biblical Texts and Women's Roles 

02:44 Cultural Context and Scripture 

06:21 Ethical Systems in the Bible 

09:52 Women in Biblical History 

11:27 Translation Issues and Gender 

15:22 Prophets and Prophetesses 

28:04 Biblical Equality in Creation 

35:59 Conclusion and Resources 

 
 
Guest Bio  
Dr. Hélène Dallaire is our guest today. Hélène earned a PhD in Hebraic and Cognate Studies at Hebrew Union College. At Denver Seminary, Hélène is the Earl S. Kalland Professor OT and Semitic Languages and chairs the OT Department. She has served as Associate Pastor at Word Faith Christian Center in Vancouver and Oakville Canada. Hélène has published widely, with titles such as: 

The Baker Illustrated Study Bible 

Apollos OT Commentary Series by IVP 

Dr. Dallaire has published articles and chapters in: 

“Gender Issues and the Role of Women in Joshua,” In Formation and Interpretation of Old Testament Literature. Leiden, Brill 

“Women: Let’s Use Our Voices - Psalm 68:12;” “Daughter of Zion/Jerusalem – Zephaniah 3:14-17;” and “A Woman in a Basket – Zechariah 5,” in Every Woman’s Bible, Tyndale 

A review of Carol Meyer’s, Rediscovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context (Oxford) in the Journal of the Evangelical Study of the Old Testament 

“Women in the OT: A Legacy to Build On” for Denver Seminary’s Engage 

Magazine 

 

Hélène teaches courses on Women in the Old Testament, the Ancient Near East, and Women’s Leadership for the Association of Theological Schools, and with a CBE chapter locally. She serves on the board of the CBE Denver Chapter. Hélène received a 2024 CBE Lifetime Achievement Award. 

 

Related Resources 
 
Presumption, Bias, and Gender Accuracy in Bible Translation 

A Familiar Picture: An Update on CBE's Translation Project 

The Central Role of Old Testament Prophetesses with Hélène Dallaire 

 

The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.