“Now when the evening was come, his servants made haste to depart, and Bagoas shut his tent without, and dismissed the waiters from the presence of his lord; and they went to their beds: for they were all weary, because the feast had been long.”
Doors. Greek adds, “without,” yet so that Judith could open them. (Calmet)
“So all went forth and none was left in the bedchamber, neither little nor great. Then Judith, standing by his bed, said in her heart, O Lord God of all power, look at this present upon the works of mine hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem.”
Drunk. Greek, “drowned in wine.”
“For now is the time to help thine inheritance, and to execute thine enterprizes to the destruction of the enemies which are risen against us.”
The. Greek, “her chamber.” — Watch. Greek adds, “her coming out, as on other days; for she had said she would go out to pray, and she had told this to Bagoas. And all had departed,” &c. All these precautions were necessary. (Haydock)
“Then she came to the pillar of the bed, which was at Holofernes' head, and took down his fauchion from thence,”
Judith. She seems not to have disclosed her secret even to her companion, taking the whole upon herself. — Lips. Greek, “in her heart.” (Calmet) — Yet the Jews generally use some words, (Haydock) thinking that prayer too cold, which is barely mental. (Grotius)
“And approached to his bed, and took hold of the hair of his head, and said, Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, this day.”
Raise up. If Bethulia had been taken, perhaps (Haydock) Jerusalem had also fallen. (Worthington)
“And she smote twice upon his neck with all her might, and she took away his head from him.”
Pillar. Greek kanoni, “the rule,” (Calmet) or pole on which the arms were hung. (Hesychius) — Sword, (acinace) used by the Persians, (Menochius) and shorter than the Greek or Roman sword. (Calmet) — If she had not been inspired by God to act thus, like Aod, (Judges iii.) it would be difficult to excuse her, in thus hurrying a man, in the most wretched state, before the judgment-seat of God. (Haydock)
“And she put it in her bag of meat: so they twain went together according to their custom unto prayer: and when they passed the camp, they compassed the valley, and went up the mountain of Bethulia, and came to the gates thereof.”
Canopy, to convince all that it was the head of Holofernes. (Menochius) — Body, on the ground; (chap. xiv. 14.) perhaps to cut off the head more easily, (Calmet) and that it might appear more ghastly (Haydock) at the first entrance. (Tirinus)
“Then said Judith afar off, to the watchmen at the gate, Open, open now the gate: God, even our God, is with us, to shew his power yet in Jerusalem, and his forces against the enemy, as he hath even done this day.”
While, having composed herself, (Haydock) and done every thing necessary to prevent detection. (Menochius)
“And then they ran all together, both small and great, for it was strange unto them that she was come: so they opened the gate, and received them, and made a fire for a light, and stood round about them.”
Open. Greek repeats, “open ye now the gate; God, our God is with us, still to shew power in Israel, and strength against the enemies, as he hath done to-day.” (Haydock)
“Then she said to them with a loud voice, Praise, praise God, praise God, I say, for he hath not taken away his mercy from the house of Israel, but hath destroyed our enemies by mine hands this night.”
That. Greek, “they hastened to descend to the gate of their city, and called,” &c.
“So she took the head out of the bag, and shewed it, and said unto them, behold the head of Holofernes, the chief captain of the army of Assur, and behold the canopy, wherein he did lie in his drunkenness; and the Lord hath smitten him by the hand of a woman.”
Had now. Greek, “it was a paradox to them that she should come, and they opened the gate, and received them.”
“As the Lord liveth, who hath kept me in my way that I went, my countenance hath deceived him to his destruction, and yet hath he not committed sin with me, to defile and shame me.”
And she. Greek, “said to them with a loud voice: Praise God, praise, yea praise God, because he hath not withdrawn his mercy from the house of Israel, but hath destroyed our enemies by my hand this night.” (Haydock)
“For this thy confidence shall not depart from the heart of men, which remember the power of God for ever.”
Drunkenness. “The fasting of one woman overthrew an innumerable host of drunkards. (St. Ambrose, de jej. ix.) (Worthington)
“And God turn these things to thee for a perpetual praise, to visit thee in good things because thou hast not spared thy life for the affliction of our nation, but hast revenged our ruin, walking a straight way before our God. And all the people said; So be it, so be it.”
And abiding. Greek, “for my face has deluded him to his ruin, and he has not committed sin with me, for defilement and shame. And all the people were much amazed; and bowing down, they adored the Lord, and said, with one accord: Our God, thou art blessed, because this day thou hast brought the enemies of thy people to nought.” (Haydock) — Judith’s guardian angel defended her; as Jacob’s did him, Genesis xlviii. (Worthington)
Prince, in that town, though Manasses was king. (Menochius) — Greek, “Ozias said.”
Praise. Greek, “hope.” — For that. Greek, “and may God make these things turn to thy eternal exaltation, to regard thee for good; because thou hast not.” — Ruin. Greek adds, “walking aright in,” &c. (Haydock)
And. This is related after ver. 5, in the following chapter, in Greek, Syriac, and the old Vulgate, (Calmet) and indeed it seems to be there in its proper place. — Head, or general. (Haydock)
Fear. Astonished (Menochius) at the instability of human things, and admiring how God had rescued him from the threatened danger.
Reverenced. Literally, “adored;” a word often used in this sense. (Haydock)