Jezebel and Esther
Tiffany Seace
Eng 220
Jezebel and Esther two great women from the Bible were both queens but they had very different lives. These two queens did share many traits: strong minds, boldness, courage, leadership capabilities and loyalty. Jezebel’s and Esther’s main differences are shown in the qualities they had and who they served and worshiped each day.
Jezebel lived in Sidon, a city on the Mediterranean coast. As a princess she worshiped her god Baal. Her upbringing was from a much pampered and well educated lifestyle. The Phoenicians, her people were a diverse group and sophisticated group of people. The King Ethbaal was a monarch ruler, therefore Jezebel grew up to believe in the saying “that might is right”, she was taught to believe that monarchs can govern as they wish and how they wish. As a young girl she was taught to lead and to command her people. As a young women (about age 14), Jezebel was considered of age for a marriage to be arranged for her with Ahab, the King of Israel. (Study Mode, 2013).
Now Esther whose name means “hidden”, grew up very differently from Jezebel. Esther was a Jew who lived in a divided culture, a culture torn with its beliefs, bigotry and prejudice. As a female, she was not in a position of power during this time in history women did as they were told. Esther grew up with no parents and was separated from her home. This was a big disadvantage for her, so she had to use every skill she had and every opportunity she had to survive. Esther was a very beautiful virgin, she was selected from many to wed Ahasuerus, the King of Persia. After Queen Vashti was vanished from the Kings kingdom for refusing to obey his orders to appear before him and his guest.
Jezebel’s mission in life is to protect and worship her gods Baal and Asherah. She believed these gods regulated the productivity and prosperity of her country. (Study Mode, 2013). It was a difficult period, as various dynasties...