Topical Encyclopedia The Book of Judith is a deuterocanonical text, included in the Septuagint and the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christian Old Testament canons, but not in the Hebrew Bible or Protestant Old Testament. It is considered apocryphal by many Protestant traditions. The narrative is set during the time of the Assyrian conquest, although it is widely regarded as a work of historical fiction, intended to convey theological and moral truths rather than historical facts.Authorship and Date The authorship of the Book of Judith is unknown, and the text itself does not provide explicit information about its author. Scholars generally date the composition of the book to the late Second Temple period, around the 2nd century BCE. The book was likely written in Hebrew, although the original Hebrew text has been lost, and it survives primarily in Greek. Structure and Content The Book of Judith is composed of 16 chapters and can be divided into two main sections: the Assyrian threat and Judith's deliverance of Israel. 1. The Assyrian Threat (Chapters 1-7): The narrative begins with the Assyrian king, Nebuchadnezzar, who sends his general, Holofernes, to subdue the western nations that have refused to ally with him. Holofernes lays siege to the city of Bethulia, cutting off its water supply and threatening its inhabitants with starvation. 2. Judith's Deliverance (Chapters 8-16): Judith, a devout and beautiful widow, emerges as the heroine of the account. She chastises the leaders of Bethulia for their lack of faith and takes it upon herself to deliver her people. After praying for God's guidance, Judith adorns herself and enters the enemy camp. She gains the trust of Holofernes and, when the opportunity arises, beheads him in his tent. Judith returns to Bethulia with Holofernes' head, inspiring the Israelites to launch a successful counterattack against the Assyrians. Theological Themes The Book of Judith emphasizes themes of faith, courage, and divine providence. Judith's unwavering faith in God serves as a model for the Israelites, demonstrating that trust in God can lead to deliverance from seemingly insurmountable odds. The narrative also highlights the power of prayer and the importance of piety and righteousness. Judith as a Heroine Judith is portrayed as a paragon of virtue, wisdom, and bravery. Her actions are driven by her deep faith and commitment to God's law. She is depicted as a woman of prayer, fasting, and moral integrity, who uses her intelligence and beauty to achieve God's purposes. Her account serves as an inspiration for believers, illustrating how God can use individuals, regardless of their status or gender, to accomplish His will. Canonical Status and Reception The canonical status of the Book of Judith varies among different Christian traditions. It is included in the Septuagint and accepted as canonical by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) affirmed its status within the Catholic canon. However, it is considered apocryphal by most Protestant denominations, which follow the Hebrew Bible's canon. Despite its varied canonical status, the Book of Judith has been influential in Christian art, literature, and theology. It has been interpreted allegorically, with Judith often seen as a type of Mary, the mother of Jesus, symbolizing purity and divine intervention. Quotations from the Berean Standard Bible While the Berean Standard Bible does not include the deuterocanonical books, the themes and messages of the Book of Judith resonate with the broader biblical narrative of God's deliverance and faithfulness to His people. The account of Judith aligns with the biblical principle found in passages such as Psalm 37:39-40 : "The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him." In summary, the Book of Judith, while not universally accepted in all Christian canons, offers a powerful narrative of faith, courage, and divine intervention, with Judith serving as a timeless example of righteous action and trust in God. Smith's Bible Dictionary the Book Of Judithone of the books of the Apocrypha, belongs to the earliest specimens of historical fiction. As to its authorship it belongs to the Maccabean period, B.C. 175-135, which it reflects not only in its general spirit, but even in its smaller traits. Library But it Should be Known that There are Also Other Books which Our ... To this Series of Events it Will be Right that I Should Append an ... The Irish Articles of Religion. AD 1615. Why, in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on his Forsaking the ... Concerning Scripture . That at the Time when the Captivity of the Jews was Brought to an ... Judith, after Enduring Many Dangers for virtue's Sake, Gained Very ... When this Became Known to Judith a Widow Woman of Great Wealth... Historical Introduction. Our Friends Take it Amiss that I have Spoken of the Origenists as ... Resources The: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics the Epistle of Paul To Philemon the First Epistle General Of John The Kingdom or Church of Christ the Second and Third Epistles Of John Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
    |