JudithChapter 11

Judith Chapter 11: Meaning

Judith meets Holofernes and tricks him with clever words about God and her people.

Summary

Holofernes tried to calm Judith down. He told her not to be scared and said she was safe. He promised she would be treated well because she came to serve his king.

Judith spoke very carefully. She told Holofernes that her people back home were about to break God's rules by eating food they weren't allowed to eat. She said that when they did that, God would stop protecting them. She promised to pray each night and find out when that happened, then she would tell Holofernes so he could march in and win easily.

Holofernes and all his men loved her speech. They said no woman on earth was as beautiful or as smart as Judith. Holofernes told her that if she did what she promised, her God would become his god and she would live in the king's palace forever.

Historical Context

This story is set during a time when the Assyrian army, led by a general named Holofernes, was attacking the land of Israel. The city of Bethulia was cut off from water and about to give up.

Judith had entered the enemy camp alone. She had a bold plan to save her people. Chapter 11 is the moment she stands before the most dangerous man in the army and uses only her words as a weapon.