The document discusses the concept of matriarchy and debates around its definition and existence. It notes that while some animal societies are matriarchal, there are no known examples of human matriarchies in historical sources. Most anthropologists assert that a strictly matriarchal society has never existed. Some societies are considered matrifocal, where the maternal side of the family has greater influence, though there is debate around how to define matrifocality versus matriarchy. The document also briefly discusses matriarchs mentioned in the Bible.

1. The Meaning of Matriarch
Matriarchy: is a term, which is applied to gynocentric form of society,
in which the leading role is by the female and especially by the
mothers of a community. Some authors consider it as a hypothetical
form of human society. There exist many matriarchal animal societies
including bees, elephants, and killer whales. The word matriarchy is
coined as the opposite of patriarchy, from Greek matēr "mother" and
archein "to rule". Gynecocracy (γυναικοκρατία) is sometimes used
synonymously.
While there are many existing matrilinear and matrilocal societies,
such as those of the Minangkabau or Mosuo, no matriarchal societies
are known in historical sources, and hypothetical prehistoric
matriarchy has been discredited. However, strongly matrilocal
societies are sometimes referred to as matrifocal, and there is still
some debate concerning the terminological delineation between
matrifocality and matriarchy.
Most modern anthropologists and sociologists assert that there are no
known examples of human matriarchies from any point in history,[2]
[3][4][5][6][7] and Encyclopedia Britannica describes their views as
"consensus", listing matriarchy as a hypothetical social system.[8]
Some examples of matrifocal societies, however, are known to exist.
The Britannica article goes on to note, "The view of matriarchy as
constituting a stage of cultural development is now generally
discredited. Furthermore, the consensus among modern
anthropologists and sociologists is that a strictly matriarchal society
never existed."[9] For more information see the appendix Patriarchies
in dispute.
There is also dispute about matrifocality (see Matriarchy vs.
matrifocality). Matriarchy is defined by some as distinct from
matrilocality, which some anthropologists use to describe societies
where the maternal side of the family manages domestic relations,
owing to the husband joining the wife's family, rather than the wife
moving to the husband's village or tribe. If, additionally, family
property passes down the maternal line (matrilineality), the wife is
effectively supported by her extended family, especially her brothers,
these maternal uncles serving children of the couple as "social
fathers", while the husbands tend to be more isolated.

2. Matriarchs of the Bible
The Matriarchs (Hebrew, Imahot; "mothers") are four important
women mentioned in the Book of Genesis of the Hebrew Bible, the
wives of the Biblical Patriarchs. They are:
• Eve, Wife of Adam;
• Ruth, wife of Boaz;
• Sarah, wife of Abraham;
• Rebecca, wife of Isaac;
• Leah and Rachel, the wives of Jacob.
They are considered to be the ancestral "mothers" of the ancient
Children of Israel as well as of the Jewish people Thus classical
Judaism considers itself to have three male Patriarchs and four
mothers