Esther

Esther is introduced in the Book of Esther as a Jewish woman first named Hadassah (Hebrew: Hăḏassā, 'myrtle'). As recounted in the narrative, following Queen Vashti's removal, a royal search brings Esther into King Ahasuerus's harem at Susa (Shushan). Mordecai, her cousin and guardian, instructs her to conceal her Jewish identity while she gains favor in the palace. The story proceeds to recount Haman's plot against the Jews, Esther's request that the community fast and pray for three days, and her subsequent petition to the king, which leads to Haman's downfall and the salvific reversal celebrated as Purim.

The canonical narrative describes Esther as beautiful and prepared for presentation to the king with perfumes and ointments; she is presented with cosmetic and dress preparation when chosen for the royal court. No supernatural or nonhuman physical traits are attributed to her in the sources; descriptions are consistent with an attractive human woman whose appearance figures in her selection.

The sources ascribe Esther no supernatural powers. Her efficacious qualities are political and rhetorical: strategic discretion (concealing her Jewish origin on Mordecai's instructions), courtly influence as queen, courage in approaching King Ahasuerus unsummoned to plead for her people, and the ability to mobilize communal religious action (requesting a three-day fast and prayer) prior to her intervention. These human actions result in communal-level legal and social outcomes in the narrative.