Defining the place of women in Hebrew society in the ancient Near East is a rather complex issue. In a patriarchal society, women usually took second place to men. The BH also contains texts that show women's struggles for their role and place in the family and society. Two cases of women will be analysed. The first concerns Sarah, the wife of the patriarch Abraham. She is an example of a woman who was initially subordinate and dependent (Gen 12:10-20) but who later took on the role of decision-maker (Gen 16:1-16). The second case concerns the model woman from the "poem about the virtuous woman" (Prov 31:10-31). This example seems to undermine the principles of patriarchy in the family. The text of Proverbs 31 is part of the tradition of heroic poetry. The praise of the woman who manages the household is modelled on a hymn in honour of a warrior. "Strength and dignity are her clothing" (Prov. 31:25a). At the same time, researchers see this extraordinary woman as a symbol of wisdom. These two deliberately chosen cases show specific stages of ongoing socio-cultural processes of change. The analysis is based on source evidence and takes into account both the historical and social context. The universality of the literary motif of a woman searching for or finding her place is discussed. It also considers how the Abrahamic religion encountered other cultural layers and other