Compare and Contrast Women of the Bible
February 27, 2012
English 175
There are many women mentioned in the bible, and this essay will be taking a closer look at two very well known women in it. Although Jezebel and Esther are both queens in the bible, they have very different life paths. These two diverse queens however, shared several traits: fine minds, boldness and courage, leadership capabilities and loyalty to a cause. The main difference was in how those qualities were used and whom the women served and worshiped Jezebel was a Phoenician princess, a daughter of the king and queen of the rich coastal city-state of Sidon. Jezebel means “Where is the prince?’-The “prince” is the god Baal. Jezebels upbringing was from a well-cultured and luxurious environment. Her people, the Phoenicians were diverse and sophisticated. Her father was an absolute monarch and therefore Jezebel believed that might is right and that monarchs can govern as they wish. She was also trained to lead and command. When Jezebel was old enough, a marriage was arranged for her with Ahab, the King of Israel. Esther grew up differently; she was a symbol of Jews who lived successfully in a somewhat separate culture. The name Esther means, “hidden.” As a woman, she was not in a possession of power. Basically just as other Jews were not members of the power elite. She grew up as an orphan and was separated from her native land. Both of these things were big disadvantages for her, so she had to use every skill and advantage she had. She also had to quickly adapt herself to the situation just as the rest of her people had. Esther is the beautiful virgin selected to marry Ashasuerus, the King of Persia after the King banishes Queen Vashti for refusing to obey orders from him. Jezebel’s mission or what she sees is her duty, is to guard the worship of Baal and Asherah. She believed these gods regulated the fertility of the country she now lived in and ruled. It was a turbulent period of the divided kingdoms, as various dynasties
English 175
There are many women mentioned in the bible, and this essay will be taking a closer look at two very well known women in it. Although Jezebel and Esther are both queens in the bible, they have very different life paths. These two diverse queens however, shared several traits: fine minds, boldness and courage, leadership capabilities and loyalty to a cause. The main difference was in how those qualities were used and whom the women served and worshiped Jezebel was a Phoenician princess, a daughter of the king and queen of the rich coastal city-state of Sidon. Jezebel means “Where is the prince?’-The “prince” is the god Baal. Jezebels upbringing was from a well-cultured and luxurious environment. Her people, the Phoenicians were diverse and sophisticated. Her father was an absolute monarch and therefore Jezebel believed that might is right and that monarchs can govern as they wish. She was also trained to lead and command. When Jezebel was old enough, a marriage was arranged for her with Ahab, the King of Israel. Esther grew up differently; she was a symbol of Jews who lived successfully in a somewhat separate culture. The name Esther means, “hidden.” As a woman, she was not in a possession of power. Basically just as other Jews were not members of the power elite. She grew up as an orphan and was separated from her native land. Both of these things were big disadvantages for her, so she had to use every skill and advantage she had. She also had to quickly adapt herself to the situation just as the rest of her people had. Esther is the beautiful virgin selected to marry Ashasuerus, the King of Persia after the King banishes Queen Vashti for refusing to obey orders from him. Jezebel’s mission or what she sees is her duty, is to guard the worship of Baal and Asherah. She believed these gods regulated the fertility of the country she now lived in and ruled. It was a turbulent period of the divided kingdoms, as various dynasties