Biblical Guidelines for Women's Friendships and Travel

Biblical texts offer insights into women's friendships and travel, often reflecting the cultural norms of the ancient Near East while also presenting distinct Christian ethical guidelines. The position of women in the Hebrew commonwealth, for instance, contrasted favorably with that in other Eastern countries, allowing women greater liberty to mingle openly in public life rather than being confined to harems or veiled ^[2]. Rebekah, for example, traveled on a camel with her face uncovered ^[2].

Friendship is a significant theme, with terms like "guide" often being synonymous with "friend" or "intimate associate" in Hebrew ^{[5, 9]}. Proverbs 16:28 and 17:9 are cited in connection with the concept of a friend ^[5]. However, the Old Testament also contains warnings about misplaced trust, as seen in Micah 7:5, which cautions against trusting even a "friend" or "guide," especially in times of societal corruption ^[9]. This passage suggests that when justice is perverted, faith is not safe, and even close associates can be treacherous ^[9].

Regarding travel, the Bible provides both literal and metaphorical guidance. Jeremiah 31:21 encourages the "virgin of Israel" to "set thee up waymarks, make thee guide-posts; set thy heart toward the highway, even the way by which thou wentest: turn again... turn again to these thy cities" ^[1]. This passage can be interpreted as a call to remember and return to established paths ^[1]. The concept of a "traveler" is also present in biblical names, such as "Arah," meaning "the way; a traveler" ^[3].

In the New Testament, practical guidelines for Christian community life include the instruction to "keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters," which applies to everyone in the faith community ^[6]. The early church also saw women engaged in various Christian ministries, including roles that suggest travel or hospitality. The term "deaconess" is mentioned in passages like Romans 16:1, 3, 12; Philippians 4:2, 3; 1 Timothy 3:11; and Titus 2:3, 4, indicating women's involvement in such activities ^[4]. Pliny also noted the presence of deaconesses in his letter to Trajan around A.D. 110 ^[4]. Hospitality was particularly important in those days, with Christians traveling from one place to another being received and assisted by fellow believers ^[10]. Titus 1:8 describes a bishop as a "lover of hospitality" and a "lover of good men," or "all that is good," encompassing both people and things ^[10].

While some passages, such as 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-15, advise women to be silent and submissive in church meetings, these are understood in light of other texts like 1 Corinthians 11:5, which implies that women were permitted to pray and prophesy publicly ^[11]. The "woman fled" in Revelation 12:6, interpreted as the Church, also suggests movement and seeking refuge, with Mary's flight into Egypt serving as a type of this ^[7]. Proverbs 7:24 warns against straying into the "ways" or "paths" of a "whorish woman," emphasizing the importance of staying on the path of truth and holiness ^[8].

Sources

Jeremiah “Jeremiah 31:21 (ASV) — Set thee up waymarks, make thee guide-posts; set thy heart toward the highway, even the way by which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Women — The position of women in the Hebrew commonwealth contrasts favorably with that which in the present day is assigned to them generally in eastern countries. The most salient point of contrast in the usages of ancient as compared with modern Oriental society was the large amount of liberty enjoyed by women. Instead of being immured in a harem, or appearing in public with the face covered. The wives and maidens of ancient times mingled freely and openly with the other sex in the duties and amenities of ordinary life. Rebekah travelled on a camel with her face unv”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Arah — the way; a traveler”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Deaconess — Rom. 16:1, 3, 12; Phil. 4:2, 3; 1 Tim. 3:11; 5:9, 10; Titus 2:3, 4). In these passages it is evident that females were then engaged in various Christian ministrations. Pliny makes mention of them also in his letter to Trajan (A.D. 110).”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 55:13: guide--literally, "friend" (Pro 16:28; Pro 17:9). acquaintance--in Hebrew, a yet more intimate associate.”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 13:1: 13:1-6 This series of practical guidelines is similar to other ethics lists in the New Testament. It describes how to love others in the community of faith, a strong ethical foundation for all of life. 13:1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters: Literally Continue in brotherly love. This instruction applies to everyone in the Christian community (see study notes on 2:11; 3:1).”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 12:6: woman fled--Mary's flight with Jesus into Egypt is a type of this. where she hath--So C reads. But A and B add "there." a place--that portion of the heathen world which has received Christianity professedly, namely, mainly the fourth kingdom, having its seat in the modern Babylon, Rome, implying that all the heathen world would not be Christianized in the present order of things. prepared of God--literally, "from God." Not by human caprice or fear, but by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, the woman, the Church, fled into the wi”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 7:24: Let not thine heart decline to her ways,.... Or turn not aside from the right way, the path of truth and holiness, to those of the whorish woman, that lead to ruin and destruction; do not so much as think of going out of the one into the other; let there not be the least wandering thought, affection, or disposition of the mind thereunto; stop and check the first motion of the heart, which leads to a compliance with her, and seems to be directed to her ways, or to betray any love and liking of them; go not astray in her paths; for whoever walks in her paths goes as”
Micah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Micah 7:5: Trust ye not in a friend--Faith is kept nowhere: all to a man are treacherous (Jer 9:2-6). When justice is perverted by the great, faith nowhere is safe. So, in gospel times of persecution, "a man's foes are they of his own household" (Mat 10:35-36; Luk 12:53). guide--a counsellor [CALVIN] able to help and advise (compare Psa 118:8-9; Psa 146:3). The head of your family, to whom all the members of the family would naturally repair in emergencies. Similarly the Hebrew is translated in Jos 22:14 and "chief friends" in Pro 16:28 [GROTIUS]. her that liet”
Titus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Titus 1:8: lover of hospitality--needed especially in those days (Rom 12:13; Ti1 3:2; Heb 13:2; Pe1 4:9; Jo3 1:5). Christians travelling from one place to another were received and forwarded on their journey by their brethren. lover of good men--Greek, "a lover of (all that is) good," men or things (Phi 4:8-9). sober--towards one's self; "discreet"; "self-restrained" [ALFORD], (see on Ti1 2:9). just--towards "men." holy--towards God (see on Th1 2:10). temperate--"One having his passions, tongue, hand and eyes, at command" [CHRYSOSTOM]; "continent."”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 14:34: 14:34-35 This aside in the discussion on using spiritual gifts reflects a perspective on women’s roles similar to that of the Pastoral Letters (see 1 Tim 2:11-15). • Paul advises women to be silent and submissive in church meetings. This instruction is to be understood in light of 1 Cor 11:5, which clearly implies that women are permitted to pray and prophesy publicly. • just as the law says: Possibly referring to Gen 3:16.”

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