Judith

Outline of the Book

I. Peril of the Jews (1, 1-7, 32
II. Deliverence of the Jews (8, 1-14, 10)
III. Victory (14, 11-16, 25)
Jdt 1-16 (The New American Bible)


Who was she?


Judith was a beautiful widow of the town of Bethulia. She lived around c.605 B.C. She single handedly saved the Israelites from the Assyrian King Nebuchadnezzar and his forces.


Story

The king of theAssyrian Empire, Nebuchadnezzar, was expanding his territories and was using Israels' men and resources to fund it. All of the tribes except for the western tribes gave in, but the western tribes resisted paying because they fear that the Assyrians will destroy the Temple as they invade. Nebuchadnezzar sends his top general, Holofernes, to force them to pay tribute to him. When the Jews see the size of Holofernes's forces they start to lose fath and consider giving in. At the same time Holofernes is asking his head advisor, Achior, what the strength of Jerusalem is. Achior answers him by saying that their strenght is in their god. If they are loyal and fathful, no one shall ever beat them but if they have turned away from God, then victory will be easy. When the beautiful widow Judith heard what the Jews were considering she decided to do something of her own. She went off and prayed to God in solitude sincerely and faithfully and then she marched into the Assyrian camp. Judith had always been known for her beauty and once she was there she seduced the general Holofernes. Once she had him alone and drunk, Judith took his sword and cut off his head. Then she snuck out of the camp with his head and presented it to the Elders. The next day the Assyrians were in chaos and Jerusalem defeated them with ease.



Troubles with story.

    Many people have doubts about the factual content of the book
  1. Assyria never had a king named Nebuchadezzar. Some people belive that he might have really been the king of Babylon.
  2. The city of Bethulia itself. The bible gives very direct details to the where abouts of the city outside of Jerusalem but we cannot find any traces of there ever being a city there.
  3. Not sure when it happenned. King Nebuchadnezzar was a Babylonian king near the end of the Monarchy but there are many distinct references to the Restoration period.



What are some of the major themes?

The Book of Judith is a story depicting the faith the Jews were supposed to have in God and the great things you can do with him by your side. God chose Moses to lead his people from slavery and now he chose Judith to save them. Both of these people showed true trust in God even when the others had given up and they were not let down. Judith is a great example of an unlikely hero because she was a woman and a widow so she didn't have any ower at all during the time but she still did what she had to do. This story depicts the perfect bond that God wants to have with all his people and shows us how we want to live.



Why is she important to our Salvation History

This book and story are so important to our salvation because it is another story of the power of God and what faith in him can do. It also shows us how God wants to help us suceed, not fail. Like Achior told Holofernes when he was asked abot their militay strength. He told him that their strength came from their God and when they are faithful, no one can defeat the. That is the strength of God and that is why we strive to be with him because he will love us and protect us unconditionally. That is why it is so important.



Quote


"God is not man that he should be moved by threats, nor human that he may be given an ultimatum." Jdt 8,16

Also see Canticle of Judith


Quiz

  1. Why did the Jews resist paying the King and allowing his men into the city?
  2. Why do some people doubt the factuality of this story?
  3. What is the overall theme that this story is trying to get across to us?


Answers

Sources

J.E. Bruns,"Book of Judith," in The New Catholic Enclopedia, Second Edition.
Nowell, Irene. Collegeville Bible Commentary: Jonah, Tobit, and Judith. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1986.
Pope, Hugh T. Book of Judith. 4/5/08. 4/6/08. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08554a.htm
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