The perception of a woman has greatly changed over the years. In the past, a woman had an expected role forced upon her by a male dominated society, an ideal woman was first and foremost her husband's property. In the present, women are seen in a more independent light, the ideal for a woman has expanded and evolved. The empowered woman, one who will take charge and make things happen for herself, not just rely on a man, is considered the new ideal. The bible follows these changes. If one were to interpret the role of women in the bible from the perspective of a past society, the women would seem subservient, deceitful, childish, and the cause of man's burdens. On the other hand, these same Biblical women would be viewed as empowered, as the stronger of the sexes, the more resilient, the more brave, the more determined to fulfill God's will in a present interpretation of the Bible. The Bible's ability to evolve with a new culture is an example it's never ending mysteries and indefinite interpretations. What might seem as a fixed interpretation of the bible one centaury is shown in a completely new light the next centaury. This is evident in the reformation of churches, religion sects, and, most importantly, the role of women.
To understand the difference between the female status within the past and present societies, an examination of the bible must be done with "past eyes," with the mind frame that dominated past centuries. Eve, the mother of all mothers, is a perfect example of whom the past societies would deem in personification of the "evils of women." Eve causes the exile from Eden, she inflicts pain upon mankind, she is punished by being made subservient to her husband. Eve was greedy, wanting too much, listening to the devil. Naturally, this would mean that all women following Eve had the evil characteristics of Eve. Women were deemed by God to be subservient.
