What rights did a woman have under God's Law to Israel?
Under God's Law to Israel, a woman had almost no rights. This was unfortunate, but God had His reason for doing it. The Law required her to be in obedience and silence, subservient to her husband, not like the brazen women of the street.
Les explains that under the Law, even under God's Law to Israel, the woman had almost no rights. He notes this was unfortunate, but God had His reason for doing it. Les illustrates the cultural backdrop by pointing to the Middle East, where a veiled woman can go almost anywhere without fear, but if she removes her veil she becomes an object of almost anything. Paul uses this example to show that the prostitutes were brazen in dress, behavior, and talkativeness. Therefore, women in the Church are instructed to be subdued, subservient to their husbands, and not like those women of the street. Verse 34 commands women to keep silence as the complete opposite of those out on the street; it is not permitted for them to speak, but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.