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Judith

the brave widow of Bethulia

Who was Judith?

The name
It means “Jewish woman.” Catholic Encyclopedia (1910), “Book of Judith”
From
From Bethulia; she was of the tribe of Simeon Judith 8:1-3; Judith 9:2
Judith, an artistic recreation

What the Bible says

Judith 8:1-8

1Now it came to pass, when Judith a widow had heard these words, who was the daughter of Merari, the son of Idox, the son of Joseph, the son of Ozias, the son of Elai, the son of Jamnor, the son of Gedeon, the son of Raphaim, the son of Achitob, the son of Melehias, the son of Enan, the son of Nathanias, the son of Salathiel, the son of Simeon, the son of Ruben: 2And her husband was Manasses, who died in the time of the barley harvest: 3For he was standing over them that bound sheaves in the field; and the heat came upon his head, and he died in Bethulia his own city, and was buried there with his fathers. 4And Judith his relict was a widow now three years and six months. 5And she made herself a private chamber in the upper part of her house, in which she abode shut up with her maids. 6And she wore haircloth upon her loins, and fasted all the days of her life, except the sabbaths, and new moons, and the feasts of the house of Israel. 7And she was exceedingly beautiful, and her husband left her great riches, and very many servants, and large possessions of herds of oxen, and flocks of sheep. 8And she was greatly renowned among all, because she feared the Lord very much, neither was there any one that spoke an ill word of her.

Judith 8:11-16

11And they came to her, and she said to them: What is this word, by which Ozias hath consented to give up the city to the Assyrians, if within five days there come no aid to us? 12And who are you that tempt the Lord? 14This is not a word that may draw down mercy, but rather that may stir up wrath, and enkindle indignation. 15You have set a time for the mercy of the Lord, and you have appointed him a day, according to your pleasure. 16For God will not threaten like man, nor be inflamed to anger like the son of man.

Judith 10:10; Judith 13:14

But Judith praying to the Lord, passed through the gates, she and her maid.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Judith

  1. Before Jesus. Her husband Manasseh died during the barley harvest, and Judith became a widow. Judith 8:2-3
  2. Before Jesus. She lived a life of much prayer and fasting. No one spoke ill of her. Judith 8:5-8
  3. With Jesus. The Assyrian army surrounded Bethulia, and the water ran out. Uzziah promised to surrender in five days. Judith 8:9
  4. With Jesus. Judith called the leaders and told them not to set deadlines for God. Judith 8:10-16
  5. With Jesus. She lay face down, with ashes on her head, and prayed to God for her people. Judith 9:1
  6. With Jesus. She left the city with her maid and came to the tent of Holofernes, the enemy general. Judith 10:10, 16
  7. With Jesus. With God's help, Judith defeated Holofernes and went back to Bethulia by night. Judith 13:11, 14
  8. Afterward. She led the women in the dance and sang a new song to God. She died in old age in Bethulia. Judith 15:13; Judith 16:13, 23

Words of Judith

“And who are you that tempt the Lord?” Judith 8:12

To the leaders of Bethulia, who had promised to surrender the city in five days.

“Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, and in this hour look on the works of my hands, that as thou hast promised, thou mayst raise up Jerusalem thy city: and that I may bring to pass that which I have purposed, having a belief that it might be done by thee.” Judith 13:5

Alone in the general's tent while he slept, before she acted.

“Open the gates for God is with us, who hath shewn his power in Israel.” Judith 13:11

Coming back by night, to the guards on the walls of Bethulia.

“Praise ye the Lord our God, who hath not forsaken them that hope in him. And by me his handmaid he hath fulfilled his mercy, which he promised to the house of Israel: and he hath killed the enemy of his people by my hand this night.” Judith 13:14

Before all the people of Bethulia, gathered by the gate.

“Let us sing a hymn to the Lord, let us sing a new hymn to our God. O Adonai, Lord, great art thou, and glorious in thy power, and no one can overcome thee.” Judith 16:13

In her song of thanksgiving, after the victory.

What they were like

The greatest thing they did

Not to be confused with

What people ask

Why did the city want to surrender?

The Assyrians surrounded it and there was no water. The people were very thirsty and pressed the leaders. Judith 8:9, 30

What did Judith scold the leaders for?

For setting a deadline for God. She told them God can help whenever he wills, and that they should ask him for help. Judith 8:12-17

Did Judith marry again?

No. Many men wanted to marry her, but she never married again for the rest of her life. Judith 16:22

What does Judith have to do with the Virgin Mary?

The Church's liturgy applies to the Virgin Mary the praises that were given to Judith. A note in the NAB says so. Judith 15:9; NAB note on Jdt 15, 9

How long did she live?

One hundred and five years. She died in Bethulia and was buried beside her husband. Judith 16:23

Little known Her husband died of sunstroke while he was watching over the harvest. Judith 8:3 She lived in a tent she set up on the roof of her house.…

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Who Judith is connected to

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All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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