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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Tent: Women had Separate Tents from Men</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/naves/t/tent--women_had_separate_tents_from_men.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/genesis/24-67.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/t/tent.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Tent</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent--the_manufacture_of.htm" title="Tent: The Manufacture of">◄</a> Tent: Women had Separate Tents from Men <a href="/topical/t/tent-chamber.htm" title="Tent-chamber">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#nav" title="Nave's Topical Index">Nave's</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>In the ancient Near Eastern context, tents were the primary dwelling places for the nomadic tribes of Israel. The structure and organization of these tents often reflected the social and familial norms of the time. One notable aspect of tent life was the separation of spaces for men and women, which is evident in several biblical narratives.<br><br>The practice of women having separate tents is illustrated in the account of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. In <a href="/genesis/18-6.htm">Genesis 18:6</a>, when three visitors come to Abraham, he instructs Sarah to prepare bread inside the tent: "So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, 'Quick, prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.'" This indicates that Sarah had her own space within the tent complex, separate from where Abraham entertained his guests.<br><br>Another example is found in the account of Jacob and his family. In <a href="/genesis/31-33.htm">Genesis 31:33-34</a>, when Laban searches for his household gods, he enters Jacob's tent, then Leah's tent, and finally Rachel's tent: "So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent." This passage suggests that each woman had her own tent or designated space within the larger family encampment.<br><br>The separation of tents also served practical purposes, such as maintaining modesty and privacy, which were highly valued in ancient Israelite culture. In <a href="/judges/4-17.htm">Judges 4:17-22</a>, the account of Jael and Sisera further illustrates this practice. Sisera, fleeing from battle, seeks refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. The text implies that Jael had her own tent, as Sisera felt secure enough to enter and rest there, believing he was hidden from his pursuers.<br><br>The distinct spaces for men and women within the tent complex also reflect the patriarchal structure of Israelite society. Men were typically responsible for public and communal affairs, while women managed domestic responsibilities. This division of labor is mirrored in the physical separation of living spaces.<br><br>In summary, the biblical accounts provide evidence that women often had separate tents or designated areas within the family encampment. This arrangement was influenced by cultural norms of modesty, privacy, and the division of labor, which were integral to the social fabric of ancient Israel.<a name="nav" id="nav"></a><div class="vheading2">Nave's Topical Index</div><span class="rtext"><a href="/genesis/24-67.htm">Genesis 24:67</a></span><br>And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.<br><span class="source">Nave's Topical Index</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/genesis/31-33.htm">Genesis 31:33</a></span><br>And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.<br><span class="source">Nave's Topical Index</span><p><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/emmerich/the_life_of_the_blessed_virgin_mary/xiv_the_holy_family_in.htm"><span class="l">The Holy Family in Bethlehem after the Departure of the Kings.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> as usual, with nothing but the trodden grass and a few <b>tent</b>-poles to <b>...</b> blankets and<br> other things to make resting-places for the holy <b>women</b> and the <b>...</b> I <b>had</b> a vision <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiv the holy family in.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_42_1896/the_incomparable_bridegroom_and_his.htm"><span class="l">The Incomparable Bridegroom and his Bride</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Tabernacle, is especially obnoxious to laboring <b>men</b> and <b>women</b>. <b>...</b> in later times, when<br> the Church <b>had</b> fallen into <b>...</b> threads, and fit for a king's <b>tent</b>, so strangely <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/the incomparable bridegroom and his.htm</font><p><a href="/library/leupold/exposition_of_genesis_volume_1/chapter_xxxi.htm"><span class="l">Chapter xxxi</span></a> <br><b>...</b> But Rachel <b>had</b> taken the teraphim and put them into the camel's litter <b>...</b> I cannot rise<br> up before thee; for the manner of <b>women</b> is upon me <b>...</b> Next comes Leah's <b>tent</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm</font><p><a href="/library/kennedy/life_and_work_in_benares_and_kumaon_1839-1877/chapter_xxii_ranee_khet_mission.htm"><span class="l">Ranee Khet Mission.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> where we could find shelter on escaping from our <b>tent</b>. <b>...</b> In these winters I <b>had</b> the<br> opportunity of going to a <b>...</b> They are accompanied by a few <b>women</b> and children. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter xxii ranee khet mission.htm</font><p><a href="/library/emmerich/the_life_of_the_blessed_virgin_mary/x_the_census_and_the.htm"><span class="l">The Census and the Journey of the Holy Family</span></a> <br><b>...</b> ceiling, so that they were in a kind of <b>tent</b>. <b>...</b> praying for the hard-hearted people<br> who <b>had</b> refused to <b>...</b> should summon to her assistance some pious <b>women</b> whom he <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/x the census and the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/abbott/cyrus_the_great/chapter_x_the_story_of.htm"><span class="l">The Story of Panthea.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> prizes assigned to Cyrus were two singing <b>women</b> of great <b>...</b> He saw her, too, in her<br> <b>tent</b>, in the presence <b>...</b> was gone, Panthea, who supposed that he <b>had</b> really fled <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter x the story of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/emmerich/the_life_of_the_blessed_virgin_mary/xi_christs_birth.htm"><span class="l">Christ's Birth</span></a> <br><b>...</b> They varied the color of the <b>tent</b>-roof of the <b>...</b> Joseph <b>had</b> asked them to come; he knew<br> this community <b>...</b> Nativity, he sometimes visited these pious <b>women</b> in their <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xi christs birth.htm</font><p><a href="/library/emmerich/the_life_of_the_blessed_virgin_mary/xiii_the_journey_of_the.htm"><span class="l">The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The breast-covering of the <b>women</b> was colored, and was <b>...</b> one who was lying ill in his<br> <b>tent</b>, when thirty <b>...</b> divided into three <b>separate</b> parties; each <b>had</b> five leaders <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/sayce/early_israel_and_the_surrounding_nations/chapter_i_the_israelites.htm"><span class="l">The Israelites</span></a> <br><b>...</b> that he might live upon it in <b>tent</b> or house <b>...</b> multitude, consisting partly of serfs,<br> partly of <b>women</b> and children <b>...</b> Moses <b>had</b> led them out of Egypt, and Moses now <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm</font><p><a href="/library/emmerich/the_life_of_the_blessed_virgin_mary/ii_the_immaculate_conception.htm"><span class="l">The Immaculate Conception</span></a> <br><b>...</b> by three young <b>men</b>, was in a <b>tent</b> city of the <b>...</b> the Blessed Virgin said to her that<br> if <b>women</b> with child <b>...</b> Kings who, when the latter went away, <b>had</b> remained behind <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm</font><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/tabernacle-of-David.html">What was the tabernacle of David? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-Moses-face-to-face.html">If Moses met face to face with God, why, later, was he not allowed to see God's face? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Achan-in-the-Bible.html">Who was Achan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/tent.htm">Tent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/t/tent.htm">Tent</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_abraham.htm">Tent by Abraham</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_arabians.htm">Tent by Arabians</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_cushites.htm">Tent by Cushites</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_lot.htm">Tent by Lot</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_moses.htm">Tent by Moses</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_noah.htm">Tent by Noah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_shepherds.htm">Tent by Shepherds</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_the_midianites.htm">Tent by the Midianites</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_the_people_of_israel.htm">Tent by the People of Israel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_used_for_a_dwelling.htm">Tent used for a Dwelling</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_used_for_cattle.htm">Tent used for Cattle</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent--the_manufacture_of.htm">Tent: The Manufacture of</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent--women_had_separate_tents_from_men.htm">Tent: Women had Separate Tents from Men</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tent-circle.htm">Tent-circle (45 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chamber.htm">Chamber (73 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tent.htm">Tent (333 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent--the_manufacture_of.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Tent: The Manufacture of"><img 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