“And when the tumult of men that were about the council was ceased, Holofernes the chief captain of the army of Assur said unto Achior and all the Moabites before all the company of other nations,”
Achior. Greek adds, “before all the populace of the strangers.” And who art thou, Achior, before all this company of foreigners, and the sons of Moab? and what are the mercenaries of Ephraim, that thou? ver. 2.
“And who art thou, Achior, and the hirelings of Ephraim, that thou hast prophesied against us as to day, and hast said, that we should not make war with the people of Israel, because their God will defend them? and who is God but Nabuchodonosor?”
To shew. Greek, “and who is God but Nabuchodonosor? He will,” &c. (Haydock) — They allow the title to none but their king. Neither will God admit of any rival. (Worthington) — The generous advice of Achior was highly resented. Charidemus, who spoke with the like boldness to Darius, when Alexander approached, was even put to death, though the king repented when it was too late. (Curtius iii.) (Diodorus xiv.)
“And then shall the sword of mine army, and the multitude of them that serve me, pass through thy sides, and thou shalt fall among their slain, when I return.”
People. Greek, “my slaves shall station thee on the mountainous country, and in one of the cities on the ascents, (of which thou hast so much spoken) and thou shalt not perish till thou perish with them. But if thou believest in thy heart that they will not be taken, let not thy countenance fall. I have spoken, and nothing that I have said shall be without effect.”
“Now therefore my servants shall bring thee back into the hill country, and shall set thee in one of the cities of the passages:”
Bethulia. Travellers, depending on the uncertain traditions of the country, generally place this fortress in the tribe of Zebulon, about three miles west of Tiberias. See Brochard., &c. But St. Jerome places it nearer Egypt; (Vita Hil.) and the Scripture speaks of Bethul, in the tribe of Simeon, (Josue xix. 4.) to which Judith and the ancients belonged. Holofernes left his camp near Scythopolis, (chap. vii. 1.) when he proceeded (Calmet) to attack the southern countries. (Haydock)
“So his servants took him, and brought him out of the camp into the plain, and they went from the midst of the plain into the hill country, and came unto the fountains that were under Bethulia.”
And. Greek adds, “Chabris, the son of Othoniel, and Charmis, the son of Melchiel.” (Menochius) — The former is, in effect, mentioned [in] chap. viii. 9. (Calmet)
“Which were in those days Ozias the son of Micha, of the tribe of Simeon, and Chabris the son of Gothoniel, and Charmis the son of Melchiel.”
Pride. God will not fail to reward those who trust in him, (Haydock) and to humble the presumptuous. (Worthington) — Saints. Syriac, “sanctuary.” This version and the Greek have only, “Look upon the face of the persons (or things) sanctified unto thee on this day. And they consoled Achior, and praised him greatly. And Ozias took him from the assembly to his own house, and made a feast (literally, drinking) for the ancients, and they invoked the God of Israel to assist them during all that night.” (Haydock)
“Then the people fell down and worshipped God, and cried unto God. saying,”
With us, observing the true religion. (Menochius)
“Then they comforted Achior, and praised him greatly.”
Over. The Jews eat nothing before night, and then no abstinence is prescribed, (Calmet) as the fast is at an end. (Haydock)
“And Ozias took him out of the assembly unto his house, and made a feast to the elders; and they called on the God of Israel all that night for help.”
The church. That is, the synagogue or place where they met in prayer. (Challoner) — For such places were established, particularly after the captivity, though some have denied that there were any synagogues, even in the days of the Machabees. See Matthew iv. 23., and Esther iv. 16. (Calmet)