Judith 9

1

But Judith fell upon her face, and put ashes upon her head, and uncovered the sackcloth with which she was clothed. The incense of that evening was now being offered at Jerusalem in the house of God, and Judith cried to the Lord with a loud voice, and said,

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 1. Oratory. Of such our Saviour speaks, Matthew 6.; and Baronius at large. A.D. 293. Worthington.—Greek “But Judith fell prostrate, and sprinkled ashes upon her head, (Syr. adds, and tore her tunic) and uncovered the sackcloth which she had on. That evening the incense had just been offered, in the house of the Lord, at Jerusalem. And Judith cried aloud,” and so forth

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2

“O Lord God of my father Simeon, into whose hand you gave a sword to take vengeance on the strangers who loosened the belt of a virgin to defile her, uncovered her thigh to her shame, and profaned her womb to her reproach; for you said, ‘It shall not be so;’ and they did so.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 2. Gavest him a sword, and so forth The justice of God is here praised, in punishing by the sword of Simeon the crime of the Sichemites: and not the fact of Simeon, which was justly condemned by his father. Genesis 49:5. Though even with regard to this fact, we may distinguish between his zeal against the crime committed by the ravishers of his sister, which zeal may be considered just: and the manner of his punishing that crime, which was irregular and excessive. Challoner.—The former is here commended. Worthington. Menochius.—Yet Simeon was not blameless. God put the sword into his hand as he makes use of tyrants; in which sense Nabuchodonosor is styled his servant. Jeremiah 25:9. Ezekiel 29:18. Genesis 24:2. 25.

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3

Therefore you gave their rulers to be slain, and their bed, which was ashamed for her who was deceived, to be dyed in blood, and struck the servants with their masters, and the masters upon their thrones;

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 3. And. Greek “For thou didst say: It shall not be so: and they did it because thou hadst given their princes unto slaughter, and their bed, which had perceived their deceit, unto blood; and thou didst slay the slaves with the princes, and the princes on their thrones; and thou gavest,” and so forth Bible.—This style seems rather poetical. Grot. Calmet.

EXPLANATION

Some authorities read which was ashamed for their deceit that they practiced.

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4

and gave their wives for a prey, and their daughters to be captives, and all their spoils to be divided among your dear children; which were moved with zeal for you, and abhorred the pollution of their blood, and called upon you for aid. O God, O my God, hear me also who am a widow.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 4. Of old. Greek “before these, and these, and what followed, and is at present, and things to come, thou hast foreseen.” All events depend on Thee. “For the things which thou hadst decreed were at hand, and said: Behold, we are here.” Bible.

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5

For you did the things that were before those things, and those things, and such as come after; and you planned the things which are now, and the things which are to come. The things which you planned came to pass.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 5. Judgments. All is foreseen: nothing can resist the decrees of God. Calmet.

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6

Yes, the things which you determined stood before you, and said, ‘Behold, we are here; for all your ways are prepared, and your judgment is with foreknowledge.’

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 6. As. Greek speaks not of the Egyptians: “For behold the Assyrians are multiplied in their power, and exalted on account of their cavalry; they have boasted on the strong arm of the infantry, have trusted in their shield, and bow, and sling; and they have not known that thou art the Lord, making an end of wars: Thy name is Lord; break their force, by thy power,” and so forth verse 11. Bible.

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7

For, behold, the Assyrians are multiplied in their power. They are exalted with horse and rider. They were proud of the strength of their footmen. They have trusted in shield, spear, bow, and sling. They don’t know that you are the Lord who breaks the battles. ‘The Lord’ is your name.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 7. Them, as they were not able to come to action during the night. Exodus 14.

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8

Break their strength in your power, and bring down their force in your wrath; for they intend to profane your sanctuary, and to defile the tabernacle where your glorious name rests, and to destroy the horn of your altar with the sword.

9

Look at their pride, and send your wrath upon their heads. Give into my hand, which am a widow, the might that I have conceived.

10

Strike by the deceit of my lips the servant with the prince, and the prince with his servant. Break down their arrogance by the hand of a woman.

11

For your power stands not in numbers, nor your might in strong men, but you are a God of the afflicted. You are a helper of the oppressed, a helper of the weak, a protector of the forsaken, a savior of those who are without hope.

12

Please, please, God of my father, and God of the inheritance of Israel, Lord of the heavens and of the earth, Creator of the waters, King of all your creation, hear my prayer.

13

Make my speech and deceit to be their wound and bruise, who intend hard things against your covenant, your holy house, the top of Zion, and the house of the possession of your children.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 13. Lips, or with my endearing speeches. Menochius.—She meant innocently to engage the affections of Holofernes, ( Bible.) and prays that he may receive her in that manner, as he might have done without sin. But when he abused his free-will, God turned his sin to the good of others. See Exodus 7. Saint Augustine ser. 288. Worthington.—Greek “Give that power which I have devised to the hand of me, a widow. Strike the slave by the lips of my delusion, (or by my ensnaring words) with the prince; and the chief, with his minister, break their haughtiness by the hand of a female, verse 15. Bible.—This prayer seems contrary to sound morality, as well as the indiscreet conduct of Judith, in exposing herself to danger, though her intention was good. Calmet.—But are not stratagems lawful in war? See 2 Kennicott. 15. Is it sinful for a woman to endeavour to captivate the heart? The situation might be dangerous, but it was not criminal; and Judith was certainly determined to yield to no dishonest proposals. God therefore approved of her designs, and enhanced her beauty. Calmet. 10:4. Bible.

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14

Make every nation and tribe of yours to know that you are God, the God of all power and might, and that there is no other who protects the race of Israel but you.”