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.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 12. Because I knew, and so forth In this and the following chapter, some things are related to have been said by Judith, which seem hard to reconcile with truth. But all that is related in Scripture of the servants of God, is not approved by the Scripture: and even the saints in their enterprizes may sometimes slip into venial sins. Challoner.—By means of mental reservation, we may exculpate her from lying. Serar. Menochius.—But this expedient is bad and childish. Bible.—She might speak ironically, (Carthus.) or prophetically. Raban. Glossa, and so forth—Still it might be an untruth, ( Calmet.) to be excused, like stratagems in war. Menochius.—How often does an enemy give out that he is going to march to some place, when he intends to go quite another way! Bible.—I knew. Greek “Because they are about to be given up a prey to you. Therefore, I come to Holofernes, general in chief of your army, to inform him of the truth, and to shew,” and so forth Bible.—She spoke many things certainly true, and others which would probably have taken place, if God had not sent relief. Worthington.