Queen Esther: The ultimate Badass Babe of the Bible
Purim started last night, and if you’re anything like me, you might be late to the party—but hey, better late than never when it comes to celebrating one of the fiercest women in biblical history.
It’s no secret that I love rewriting the Badass Babes of the Bible into contemporary romance, because their stories are too powerful, too complex, and too damn good to be left gathering dust. While I don’t have an Esther book in the works (yet), she’s proof that these ancient women were anything but passive—and that’s exactly the kind of heroine I love to write.
So, let’s talk about Queen Esther—a woman who didn't just sit pretty in a palace but risked everything to save her people. If you grew up in the church, maybe you were taught about her “beauty and obedience” (eyeroll). But let’s set the record straight: Esther wasn’t just beautiful—she was brilliant, strategic, and brave as hell.
This isn't your average rags-to-riches story. Esther (or Hadassah before she got her Persian glow-up) was an orphan, raised by her cousin Mordechai, and somehow found herself in a royal version of The Bachelor, where King Ahashverosh was looking for a new queen. Spoiler: she won. But not because of beauty alone—she played the long game. She didn’t reveal her Jewish identity right away because she knew timing was everything.
When her people were on the verge of annihilation thanks to Haman (boo, hiss), Esther had a choice: stay silent and safe or risk her life by confronting the king. She fasted, prayed, and then—like a true queen—walked into the throne room uninvited, knowing full well it could mean death.
Esther had more political strategy than most leaders today.
She didn't just blurt out, “Hey, Haman’s a genocidal maniac, do something!” No, sis knew better than that. Instead, she played chess while everyone else played checkers. She invited the king and Haman to two banquets, setting the stage for a dramatic revelation where she exposed Haman’s evil plot at just the right moment.
And what happened? Haman got himself hanged on the very gallows he built for Mordechai. Talk about karma.
What can we learn from Esther today?
Courage doesn’t mean fearlessness—it means acting anyway. Esther was terrified. But she stood up for what was right, even when it put her life on the line.
Timing and strategy matter. Esther knew that sometimes the best way to change hearts and minds isn’t through immediate confrontation, but through patience, wisdom, and a well-planned dinner party.
Your identity is your strength. Hiding who you are might feel safer at times, but embracing your truth—whether that’s your faith, your queerness, or your convictions—is where your real power lies.
Purim is a time for celebrating survival, flipping the script, and finding joy even in the face of oppression. It’s a reminder that marginalized people have always found ways to fight back and win.
So eat those hamantaschen, wear that wild costume, and raise a glass to Esther—the woman who played the long game and won. 🎭🍷🎉
Chag Purim Sameach! Let me know in the comments: What’s your favorite part of the Esther story?
