Esther, Esther, and Judith (David Truong)

 Anytime we talk about Esther from the Bible, I believe we have to talk about two different women. The Esther from the Book of Esther and the Esther from Additions are almost as different as Esther is to Judith. If I had to make a list in order who was the most dependent on men, I would have to start with Esther from Additions, then Esther from Book of Esther, and Judith as the least dependent on men.

 Esther from Additions is likely the most dependent on men. She cannot even appear before her husband without fainting. (AddEsther15:7) Her original version, the Esther from the Book of Esther, doesn't fair much better. She does come across as more independent than her Addition's counterpart but she relies on her uncle Mordecai far too much to be completely independent of men. Mordecai sent Esther to the king under the warning to not reveal her Jewish heritage which would undoubtedly cost her her life. (Esther 2:7) If it were not for her uncle, she would still have been unaware of the slaughter of the Jewish people. (Esther 5:7) Yet she is able to convince the king to side with her and her people which ultimately saves her people but it pales in comparison to the independence of Judith.

Judith was quite different from Esther, a widow compared to a married woman and deeply devout. She fasted except for occasions (Judith 8:6) and was well-respected in her community due to her devotion. (Judith 8:8) Compared to Esther who followed the traditions of her Persian husband due avoid detection. When all the elders of her town decide to surrender to the enemy unless God intervenes, she chastises them all. (Esther 8:12) Save for her maid, she goes into the enemy camp alone and assassinates the general Holofernes. (Judith 13:8) This act ultimately saves her people from the invading army of Nebachadnezzar.

An interesting thought I had is that while both women saved their people, I would argue that Judith's was the one that amounted in the least bloodshed. Esther's salvation resulted in the Jewish people fighting to reclaim their lost territory which seemed to amount to a war of sorts. Judith's act sent the enemy army scattering when she got off their head. Judith took the violence into her own hands and with God's will, found the most efficient way of saving her people.