JudithChapter 7

Judith Chapter 7: Meaning

Holofernes surrounds Bethulia and cuts off the water supply, leaving the people desperate.

Summary

Holofernes moved his whole army, 170,000 foot soldiers and 12,000 cavalry, to attack Bethulia. The enormous camp spread out across the whole valley. When the Israelites looked down from the city walls, they were terrified. They had never seen such a huge force. They kept watch all night, lighting fires on their towers.

Advisors told Holofernes not to fight Israel in a direct battle. They said the Israelites were too hard to reach in the mountains. Instead, they told him to cut off the water supply. Without water, the people would be forced to surrender. Holofernes liked this plan. He sent soldiers to take control of the springs below the city.

For thirty-four days, the Assyrian army kept the city surrounded. The water ran out. The cisterns dried up. Children were fainting in the streets. Women and young men collapsed from thirst. Finally, the desperate people gathered before the city leaders and begged them to surrender. The leader Uzziah asked the people to hold on for five more days. He said maybe God would help in time. But despair settled over the whole city.

Historical Context

Sieges were a common military strategy in the ancient world. Instead of risking a direct attack, an army would surround a city and wait for hunger and thirst to do the work. Cutting off a city's water supply was one of the most effective tactics.

Bethulia depended on springs below the city for its water. Once Holofernes took control of those springs, it was only a matter of time before the people inside would have to give up, unless something unexpected happened.