By: Andrew LaFaver
Judith The Book of Judith was written in 175 B.C.by an author who sought to strenghthen the faith of his people in God’s abiding presence among them. Though the author is unknown, they hoped the reader would take to heart the lesson that God was still the “Master of History,” who could save Israel from her enemies.
The Book of Judith is about a Israelite widow who during the siege at Bethulia by Holoferns promised to defeat the assyrians. To accomplish this impossible task she went into the assyrian camp dressed as prostitute saying that she was there for Holoferns. Once Holoferns was asleep in bed Judith killed him. Once the deed was finished she left without being noticed and went back to Bethulia. The next morning the assyrian army woke up to see that Holoferns had been killed. The army immediatly became in disaray and it was well obvious to the Israelites. The Israelites left the city and slaughtered all the assyrian army.
This book was a response to a new crisis that arose to threaten Jewish believers in Palestine in 175 B.C. from the sleucid ruler Antiochus the 4th. Antiochus embarked on a policy to force the Jews not only to adopt greek way of thinking and worshipping but also to abandon traditional Jewish practices. The book of Judith was effective in keeping the Jews strong in faith with God.
Quote of Judith:
"You, the Lord, crush warfare; Lord is your name."
Outline of the Book of Judith
1. Peril of the Jews (1-7,32)
2. Deliverance of the Jews(8, 1-14,10)
3. Victory (14, 11-16,25)
Review Questions...
Who did Judith kill?
What Jewish city is under attack in the Book of Judith?
In what year was the book of Judith Written?
For what reason was the book of Judith written?
review question answers can be found at bottom of the page.
Citations:
Nowell, Irene. "Collegeville Bible Comentary: Jonah, Tobit, Judith." Washington D.C., Confraternity of Christian Doctrin, 1970.
"Judith." Holy Bible. School and Church Edition. 1970
"Judith, Book of." New Catholic Encyclopedia. 2nd edition. 2003
Review Question Answers:1)Holoferns 2)Bethulia 3)175B.C. 4)It was a response to the threat of Antiochus the 4th who tried to make the Jews give up their beliefs and take Greek beliefs
Send any corrections, comments, or ideas to fuzbro@charter.net...A.K.A. Andrew LaFaver