Judith chapter 10
[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] Judith springs into action. Judith allows herself to be captured. Judith is brought to General Holofernes.
The Book of Judith is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches
JUDITH SPRINGS INTO ACTION
VERSE 1. It came to pass, when she had ceased to cry to the God of Israel, and had finished saying all these words,
had finished saying all these words. As soon as she finishes praying, Judith springs into action.
VERSE 2. that she rose up where she had fallen down, called her maid, and went down into the house that she used to live in on the Sabbath days and on her feast days.
VERSE 3. She pulled off the sackcloth which she had put on, took off the garments of her widowhood, washed her body all over with water, anointed herself with rich ointment, braided the hair of her head, and put a tiara upon it. She put on her garments of gladness, which she used to wear in the days of the life of Manasses her husband.
VERSE 4. She took sandals for her feet, and put her chains around her, and her bracelets, her rings, her earrings, and all her jewelry, and decked herself bravely, to deceive the eyes of all men who would see her.
decked herself bravely. That is, she made herself very beautiful.
to deceive the eyes of all men. That is, to “captivate” the eyes of all the men.
VERSE 5. She gave her maid a leather container of wine and a flask of oil, and filled a bag with parched corn, lumps of figs, and fine* bread. She packed all her vessels together, and laid them upon her.
VERSE 6. They went out to the gate of the city of Bethulia, and found Ozias and the elders of the city, Chabris and Charmis standing by it.
VERSE 7. But when they saw her, that her countenance was altered and her apparel was changed, they wondered at her beauty very exceedingly, and said to her,
her countenance was altered. Her appearance was completely transformed.
her apparel was changed. She was wearing completely different clothing.
they wondered at her beauty very exceedingly. They were very astounded at her beauty.
VERSE 8. “May the God of our fathers give you favor, and accomplish your purposes to the glory of the children of Israel, and to the exaltation of Jerusalem.” Then she worshiped God,
VERSE 9. and said to them, “Command that they open the gate of the city for me, and I will go out to accomplish the things you spoke with me about.” And they commanded the young men to open to her, as she had spoken;
VERSE 10. and they did so. Then Judith went out, she, and her handmaid with her. The men of the city watched her until she had gone down the mountain, until she had passed the valley, and they could see her no more.
JUDITH ALLOWS HERSELF TO BE CAPTURED
VERSE 11. They went straight onward in the valley. The watch of the Assyrians met her;
VERSE 12. and they took her, and asked her, “Of what people are you? Where are you coming from? Where are you going?” She said, “I am a daughter of the Hebrews. I am fleeing away from their presence, because they are about to be given you to be consumed.
I am a daughter of the Hebrews. Judith identifies herself as a Jewish woman.
VERSE 13. I am coming into the presence of Holofernes the chief captain of your army, to declare words of truth. I will show him a way that he can go and win all the hill country, and there will not be lacking of his men one person, nor one life.”
I am coming into the presence of Holofernes. That is, she has come to see Holofernes.
VERSE 14. Now when the men heard her words, and considered her countenance, the beauty thereof was exceeding marvelous in their eyes. They said to her,
her countenance. That is, her face.
the beauty thereof was exceeding marvelous in their eyes. Judith’s face was wondrously beautiful.
VERSE 15. “You have saved your life, in that you have hurried to come down to the presence of our master. Now come to his tent. Some of us will guide you until they deliver you into his hands.
VERSE 16. But when† you stand before him, don’t be afraid in your heart, but declare to him according to your words; and he will treat you well.”
VERSE 17. They chose out of them a hundred men, and appointed them to accompany her and her maid; and they brought them to the tent of Holofernes.
They chose out of them a hundred men. They assign a hundred soldiers to protect Judith.
VERSE 18. And there was great excitement throughout all the camp, for her coming was reported among the tents. They came and surrounded her as she stood outside Holofernes’ tent, until they told him about her.
VERSE 19. They marveled at her beauty, and marveled at the children of Israel because of her. Each one said to his neighbor, “Who would despise this people, that have among them such women? For it is not good that one man of them be left, seeing that, if they are let go, they will be able to deceive the whole earth.
Who would despise this people, that have among them such women? This is an unlikely foundation for a peace treaty.
JUDITH IS BROUGHT TO GENERAL HOLOFERNES
VERSE 20. Those who lay near Holofernes, and all his servants, went out and brought her into the tent.
VERSE 21. And Holofernes was resting upon his bed under the canopy, which was woven with purple, gold, emeralds, and precious stones.
VERSE 22. And they told him about her; and he came out into the space before his tent, with silver lamps going before him.
VERSE 23. But when Judith had come before him and his servants, they all marveled at the beauty of her countenance. She fell down upon her face, and bowed down to him, but his servants raised her up.
they all marveled at the beauty of her countenance. They all marveled at the beauty of her face.
JUDITH
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Judith fasts continually, Chronology
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.