“She rose where she had fallen down, and called her maid, and went down into the house in the which she abode in the sabbath days, and in her feast days,”
House. Greek adds, “where she spent the sabbath and festival days, she rolled up her,” &c. (Haydock) — She remained in her oratory therefore only on other days. (Calmet)
“And pulled off the sackcloth which she had on, and put off the garments of her widowhood, and washed her body all over with water, and anointed herself with precious ointment, and braided the hair of her head, and put on a tire upon it, and put on her garments of gladness, wherewith she was clad during the life of Manasses her husband.”
Body. Complutensian Greek, “mouth.” But other editions seem more accurate. (Haydock) — Best. Greek, “thick,” probably the myrobalanum of Pliny, [Natural History?] xii. 21., and xiii. 1. — Bonnet, or mitre, tied with ribbands, hanging down behind, like those of bishops. — Sandals, highly ornamented, and worn by people of quality. (Calmet) — Lilies, pendent from the neck. (Grotius)
“And she took sandals upon her feet, and put about her her bracelets, and her chains, and her rings, and her earrings, and all her ornaments, and decked herself bravely, to allure the eyes of all men that should see her.”
And. Greek, “and she was richly adorned, so that she might captivate (literally, deceive) the eyes of whatever men should behold her. And,” ver. 5. (Haydock) — The fathers highly extol her virtue, and she was, no doubt, actuated by the purest motives. Yet she might be guilty of some indiscretion. Even the working of miracles would not prove the contrary, as wicked priests may confer the sacraments; and Moses was reprehensible the moment (Calmet) before (Haydock) he wrought a miracle, Numbers xx. 10., and Matthew vii. 22. God inspired her with the laudable design of freeing her country, but the means were left to her own choice. (Calmet) — The making use of this rich attire was not, however, sinful in itself; and we have no right to suspect that Judith gave any way either to vanity or to sensuality. How many ladies of quality are dressed so as to enchant all those who are not upon their guard! Yet, provided they observe due modesty, who will blame their rich attire or perfumes? (Haydock) — Judith might lawfully desire to marry Holofernes for the good of her nation, (Menochius) as Esther became the wife of Assuerus, though an infidel. The general seemed even willing to become a convert, chap. xi. 21. (Haydock) — God bore witness to the holy intention of Judith in adorning herself. (Witham)
“Then she gave her maid a bottle of wine, and a cruse of oil, and filled a bag with parched corn, and lumps of figs, and with fine bread; so she folded all these things together, and laid them upon her.”
Bottle; made of leather, (Calmet) used for carrying wine. (Pollox.) (Menochius) — Corn. It was eaten either steeped in water or mixed with oil. — Cheese. So the Syriac reads. Greek, “pure loaves.” (Calmet) — Why she took her provisions with her, she explains, chap. xii. 2. (Menochius)
“And when they saw her, that her countenance was altered, and her apparel was changed, they wondered at her beauty very greatly, and said unto her.”
Her. Greek adds, “with her countenance and robes changed.”
“The God, the God of our fathers give thee favour, and accomplish thine enterprizes to the glory of the children of Israel, and to the exaltation of Jerusalem. Then they worshipped God.”
But. Greek, “And they said to her, May God, the God of.” — With. Greek, “For the glory of the Israelites, and the exaltation of Jerusalem; and they adored God. And she said to them, Order the gate of the city to be opened for me, and I will go out to accomplish what you were talking about to me. And they commanded the young men to open for her; and they did so. But Judith and her maid went out. And the citizens looked at her while she descended the hill, till she had passed the valley, when they lost sight of her; and they passed along straight through the vale, and the advanced guard of,” &c. (Haydock) — It appears that there was still day-light, (Calmet) or the moon shone brightly. (Haydock)
“And took her, and asked her, Of what people art thou? and whence comest thou? and whither goest thou? And she said, I am a woman of the Hebrews, and am fled from them: for they shall be given you to be consumed:”
Because I knew, &c. 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 reservations, we may exculpate her from lying. (Serarius) (Menochius) — But this expedient is bad and childish. (Haydock) — She might speak ironically, (Denis the Carthusian) or prophetically. (Raban. Glossa, &c.) — 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! (Haydock) — 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,” &c. (Haydock) — She spoke many things certainly true, and others which would probably have taken place, if God had not sent relief. (Worthington)
“Thou hast saved thy life, in that thou hast hasted to come down to the presence of our lord: now therefore come to his tent, and some of us shall conduct thee, until they have delivered thee to his hands.”
Lord. Greek adds, “and now proceed to his tent, and some of us shall give thee into his hands. But if thou stand before him, let not thy heart fear, but tell him this, and he will treat thee well. And they selected 100 men, and surrounded her and her servant-maid, and conducted her to the tent of Holofernes. And they ran from all parts of the camp, as soon as her coming was made known, and they came round her as she stood without the tent of Holofernes, till they had told him of her. And they were astonished at her beauty, and at the Israelites, and said to each other, Who,” &c., ver. 18.
“Then was there a concourse throughout all the camp: for her coming was noised among the tents, and they came about her, as she stood without the tent of Holofernes, till they told him of her.”
That we. Greek, “For it is not expedient to leave one man of them alive, lest they should delude all the earth.” (Old Vulgate omits the negation.) “And all who slept near Holofernes, and all his servants, came out and introduced her into the tent;” (Haydock. which was divided into two apartments. Heraclides) “and Holofernes was reposing on a bed in the canopy, (or inner room) which,” &c. (Haydock) — The curtain was intended to keep off gnats. Mark Anthony imitated this delicacy.
“And they that lay near Holofernes went out, and all his servants and they brought her into the tent.”
After. Greek, “And they told him of her, and he came out to the forepart of the tent, and silver lamps preceded him, (Haydock) either for grandeur, as they did the kings of Persia and the emperors of Rome and of the Turks, or because it was still dark.” (Calmet) — “But as soon as Judith came in sight of him and of his ministers, they all were astonished at the beauty of her face; and falling prostrate, she adored him, (with civil respect) and his servants lifted her up.” (Haydock) — St. Fulgentius (ep. 2.) judges, with great probability, that Judith was now about 40 years old. (Worthington)