The character of Judith: her discourse to the ancients.
Iudith a most veriuous, rich, fayre, & renowmed widow. 9. rebuketh the high priest and ancientes, for their determination to deliuer the citie, if ayde come not in fiue dayes, 14. exhorteth al to penance. 28. They al agree to her godlie aduise, 30. praying for good sucesse of her intention, which they yet know not.
1Now it came to pass, when Judith a widow had heard these words, who was the daughter of Merari, the son of Idox, the son of Joseph, the son of Ozias, the son of Elai, the son of Jamnor, the son of Gedeon, the son of Raphaim, the son of Achitob, the son of Melchias, the son of Enan, the son of Nathanias, the son of Salathiel, the son of Simeon, the son of Ruben:Or quelle parole furono intese da Giuditta vedova, la quale era figliuola di Merari, figliuolo di Idox, figliuolo di Joseph figliuolo di Ozia, figliuolo di Elai, figliuolo di Jamnor, figliuolo di Gedeon, figliuolo di Raphaim, figliuolo di Achitob, figliuolo di Melchia, figliuolo di Enan, figliuolo di Natania, figliuolo di Salathiel, figliuolo di Simeon: figliuolo di Ruben:AND it came to passe, when Iudith a widow had heard these wordes, which was the daughter of Merari, the sonne of Idox, the sonne of Ioseph, the sonne of Ozias, the sonne of Elai, the sonne of Iamnor, the sonne of Gedeon, the sonne of Raphaim, the sonne of Achitob, the sonne of Melchias, the sonne of Enan, the sonne of Nathanias, the sonne of Salathiel, the sonne of Simeon, the sonne of Israel:Et factum est cum audisset hæc verba Judith vidua, quæ erat filia Merari filii Idox filii Joseph filii Oziæ filii Elai filii Jamnor filii Gedeon filii Raphaim filii Achitob filii Melchiæ filii Enan filii Nathaniæ filii Salathiel filii Simeon filii Ruben, 2And her husband was Manasses, who died in the time of the barley harvest:E marito di lei fu Manasse, il quale morì in tempo della mietitura dell'orzo:and her husband was Manasses, who died in the daies of barley haruest:et vir ejus fuit Manasses, qui mortuus est in diebus messis hordeaceæ: 3For he was standing over them that bound sheaves in the field; and the heat came upon his head, and he died in Bethulia his own city, and was buried there with his fathers.Perocchè mentre si sollecitava quei, che legavano i covoni nel campo, il caldo lo prese al capo, e si morì in Betulia sua patria, e ivi fu sepolto coi padri suoi.for he was occupied with them that bound sheues in the field, and the heate came vpon his head, and he died in Bethulia his citie, and was buried there with his father.instabat enim super alligantes manipulos in campo, et venit æstus super caput ejus, et mortuus est in Bethulia civitate sua, et sepultus est illic cum patribus suis. 4And Judith his relict was a widow now three years and six months.Ed erano già tre anni e sei mesi che Giuditta era rimasa vedova di lui.And Iudith was leaft his widow now three yeares and six monethes.Erat autem Judith relicta ejus vidua jam annis tribus et mensibus sex.
5And she made herself a private chamber in the upper part of her house, in which she abode shut up with her maids.Ed ella si era fatta nella parte superiore della casa una stanza appartata dove se ne stava rinchiusa colle sue ancelle,And in the higher partes of her house she made her self a secrete chamber, in which she abode shut vp with her maides,Et in superioribus domus suæ fecit sibi secretum cubiculum, in quo cum puellis suis clausa morabatur, 6And she wore haircloth upon her loins, and fasted all the days of her life, except the sabbaths, and new moons, and the feasts of the house of Israel.E portando a' suoi fianchi il cilicio, digiunava tutti i giorni di sua vita, toltine i sabati, e i novilunii, e i dì festivi della casa d'Israello.and hauing cloth of heare vpon her loynes, she fasted al the daies of her life, but Sabbathes, and newmoones, and the feastes of the house of Israel.et habens super lumbos suos cilicium, jejunabat omnibus diebus vitæ suæ, præter sabbata et neomenias et festa domus Israël. 7And she was exceedingly beautiful, and her husband left her great riches, and very many servants, and large possessions of herds of oxen, and flocks of sheep.Or ella era di bellissimo aspetto, e suo marito le avea lasciate molte ricchezze, e una numerosa famiglia, e delle possessioni, dov'erano molti armenti di bovi, e branchi di pecore.And she was of an exceding beautiful countenance, to whom her husband had leaft much richesse, and a great familie, and possessions ful of heardes of oxen, and flockes of sheepe.Erat autem eleganti aspectu nimis, cui vir suus reliquerat divitias multas, et familiam copiosam, ac possessiones armentis boum, et gregibus ovium plenas. 8And she was greatly renowned among all, because she feared the Lord very much, neither was there any one that spoke an ill word of her.Ed ella era in grandissimo concetto presso di tutti, perchè molto temeva Dio; e non v'era chi dicesse una mala parola di essa.And she was among al most famous, because she feared our Lord very much, neither was there that spake an il word of her.Et erat hæc in omnibus famosissima, quoniam timebat Dominum valde, nec erat qui loqueretur de illa verbum malum. 9When therefore she had heard that Ozias had promised that he would deliver up the city after the fifth day, she sent to the ancients Chabri and Charmi.Avendo adunque ella sentito, come Ozia avea promesso, che passati cinque giorni avrebbe renduta la città, mandò a chiamare Chabri, e Charmi seniori.When she therfore had heard that Ozias had promised, that after the fifth day were past he would yeld the citie, she sent to the ancientes Chabri and Charmi.Hæc itaque cum audisset quoniam Ozias promisisset quod transacto quinto die traderet civitatem, misit ad presbyteros Chabri et Charmi.
10And they came to her, and she said to them: What is this word, by which Ozias hath consented to give up the city to the Assyrians, if within five days there come no aid to us?E questi andarono a lei, ed ella disse loro: Che discorso è mai quello fatto da Ozia di render la città agli Assiri, se dentro cinque giorni non viene a voi soccorso?And they came to her, and she said to them: What is this word, wherein Ozias hath consented, to yeld the citie to the Assyrians, if within fiue daies there come no ayde to vs?Et venerunt ad illam, et dixit illis: Quod est hoc verbum, in quo consensit Ozias, ut tradat civitatem Assyriis si intra quinque dies non venerit vobis adjutorium ? 11And who are you that tempt the Lord?E chi siete voi, che tentate il Signore?And what are you, that tempt our Lord?et qui estis vos, qui tentatis Dominum ? 12This is not a word that may draw down mercy, but rather that may stir up wrath, and enkindle indignation.Non è questo un fare, che inviti la misericordia, ma che provoca l'ira, ed accende il furore.This is no word that may prouoke mercie, but rather that may rayse vp wrath, and inflame furie.non est iste sermo qui misericordiam provocet, sed potius qui iram excitet, et furorem accendat. 13You have set a time for the mercy of the Lord, and you have appointed him a day, according to your pleasure.Voi avete fissato il tempo alla misericordia del Signore, e ad arbitrio vostro le avete prescritto il giorno.You haue set a time for the mercie of our Lord, and according to your pleasure, you haue appointed him a day.Posuistis vos tempus miserationis Domini, et in arbitrium vestrum, diem constituistis ei. 14But forasmuch as the Lord is patient, let us be penitent for this same thing, and with many tears let us beg his pardon:Ma da che il Signore è paziente, facciam penitenza ancora di questo, ed imploriamo con abbondanza di lagrime la sua indulgenza:But because our Lord is patient, let vs be penitent for this same thing, and sheding teares let vs desire his pardon:Sed quia patiens Dominus est, in hoc ipso pœniteamus, et indulgentiam ejus fusis lacrimis postulemus: 15For God will not threaten like man, nor be inflamed to anger like the son of man.Perocchè le minacce di Dio non sono come quelle degli uomini, ed ei non si accende di sdegno, come i figliuoli degli uomini.for not as man, so wil God threaten, neither as the sonne of man wil he be inflamed to anger.non enim quasi homo sic Deus comminabitur, neque sicut filius hominis ad iracundiam inflammabitur. 16And therefore let us humble our souls before him, and continuing in an humble spirit, in his service:Per la qual cosa umiliamo dinanzi a lui le anime nostre, e in ispirito di umiliazione, come suoi servi,And therfore let vs humble our soules to him, and being setled in an humble spirit, seruing him:Et ideo humiliemus illi animas nostras, et in spiritu constituti humiliato, servientes illi
17Let us ask the Lord with tears, that according to his will so he would shew his mercy to us: that as our heart is troubled by their pride, so also we may glorify in our humility.Diciamo con lacrime al Signore, che in quel modo, che a lui piace usi con noi di sua misericordia, onde come per la superbia di coloro è rimaso sbigottito il cuor nostro; così pure della umiliazione nostra abbiamo a gloriarci:let vs say weeping to our Lord, that according to his wil so he doe his mercie with vs: that as our hart is trubled in their pride, so also we may glorie in our humilitie:dicamus flentes Domino, ut secundum voluntatem suam sic faciat nobiscum misericordiam suam: ut sicut conturbatum est cor nostrum in superbia eorum, ita etiam de nostra humilitate gloriemur: 18For we have not followed the sins of our fathers, who forsook their God, and worshipped strange gods.Perocchè noi non abbiamo imitati i falli de' padri nostri, i quali abbandonarono il loro Dio, ed onorarono gli dei stranieri:because we haue not folowed the sinnes of our fathers, which forsooke their God, and adored strange goddes,quoniam non sumus secuti peccata patrum nostrorum, qui dereliquerunt Deum suum, et adoraverunt deos alienos, 19For which crime they were given up to their enemies, to the sword, and to pillage, and to confusion: but we know no other God but him.Scelleraggine, per cui furon essi abbandonati alla spada, alle rapine, agli scherni de' lor nemici: ma noi altro Dio non conosciamo fuori di lui.for which abomination they were geuen into the sword, and into confusion to their enemies: but we know no other God but him.pro quo scelere dati sunt in gladium, et in rapinam, et in confusionem inimicis suis: nos autem alterum deum nescimus præter ipsum. 20Let us humbly wait for his consolation, and the Lord our God will require our blood of the afflictions of our enemies, and he will humble all the nations that shall rise up against us, and bring them to disgrace.Aspettiamo con umiltà le sue consolazioni, ed egli vendicherà il nostro sangue dalle oppressioni de'nostri nemici, e umilierà le nazioni tutte, che si levano contro di noi, e le svergognerà il signore Dio nostro.Let vs humbly expect his consolation, and he wil require our bloud of the afflictions of our enemies, and he wil humble al Nations, what soeuer shal rise vp against vs, and the Lord our God wil make them without honour.Expectemus humiles consolationem ejus, et exquiret sanguinem nostrum de afflictionibus inimicorum nostrorum, et humiliabit omnes gentes, quæcumque insurgunt contra nos, et faciet illas sine honore Dominus Deus noster. 21And now, brethren, as you are the ancients among the people of God, and their very soul resteth upon you: comfort their hearts by your speech, that they may be mindful how our fathers were tempted that they might be proved, whether they worshipped their God truly.Or adunque, o fratelli, giacchè voi siete gli anziani del popolo di Dio, e da voi pendono gli animi loro, ravvivate i loro cuori colle vostre parole, rammentando loro, come furon tentati i padri nostri, affinchè apparisse, se veracemente onorassero il Dio loro.And now bretheren, because you are ancientes in the people of God, and their soules depende of you: by your speach comforte their hartes, that they be mindful, that our fathers were tempted to be proued, whether they did worshippe their God truly.Et nunc fratres, quoniam vos estis presbyteri in populo Dei, et ex vobis pendet anima illorum, ad eloquium vestrum corda eorum erigite, ut memores sint quia tentati sunt patres nostri, ut probarentur si vere colerent Deum suum.
22They must remember how our father Abraham was tempted, and being proved by many tribulations, was made the friend of God.Debbon essi avere in memoria, come fu tentato Abramo, padre nostro, e dopo la prova di molte tribolazioni divenne l'amico di Dio.They must be mindful how our father Abraham was tempted, and by many tribulations proued, was made the freind of God.Memores esse debent quomodo pater noster Abraham tentatus est, et per multas tribulationes probatus, Dei amicus effectus est. 23So Isaac, so Jacob, so Moses, and all that have pleased God, passed through many tribulations, remaining faithful.Così Isacco, così Giacobbe, così Mosè, e tutti quelli, che piacquero a Dio, mantenendo la fede passaron per molte tribolazioni.So Isaac, so Iacob, so Moyses, & al that haue pleased God, through manie tribulations haue passed faithful.Sic Isaac, sic Jacob, sic Moyses, et omnes qui placuerunt Deo, per multas tribulationes transierunt fideles. 24But they that did not receive the trials with the fear of the Lord, but uttered their impatience and the reproach of their murmuring against the Lord,Quelli poi, i quali non nel timor del Signore incontraron le tentazioni, ma si versaron in impazienze, e in vergognose mormorazioni contro il Signore.But they that did not receiue the tentations with the feare of our Lord, and vttered their impatience and reproch of their murmuring against our Lord,Illi autem qui tentationes non susceperunt cum timore Domini, et impatientiam suam et improperium murmurationis suæ contra Dominum protulerunt, 25Were destroyed by the destroyer, and perished by serpents.Dallo sterminatore furono sterminati, e morsi dai serpenti perirono,were destroyed of the destroyer, and perished by serpents.exterminati sunt ab exterminatore, et a serpentibus perierunt. 26As for us therefore let us not revenge ourselves for these things which we suffer.Noi pure adunque non cerchiam di sfogarci, per quel, che soffriamo,And we therfore let vs not reuenge ourselues for these thinges, which we suffer,Et nos ergo non ulciscamur nos pro his quæ patimur, 27But esteeming these very punishments to be less than our sins deserve, let us believe that these scourges of the Lord, with which like servants we are chastised, have happened for our amendment, and not for our destruction.Ma ripensando, che minori de' nostri peccati son questi supplizi, crediamo, che i flagelli del Signore, coi quali siam gastigati quali servi, sono mandati per emendazione nostra, non per rovina.but reputing these verie punishments to be the scourges of our Lord lesse then our sinnes, wherwith as seruantes we are chastised, let vs thinke them to haue chanced to our amendement, and not to our destruction.sed reputantes peccatis nostris hæc ipsa supplicia minora esse flagella Domini, quibus quasi servi corripimur ad emendationem, et non ad perditionem nostram evenisse credamus.
28And Ozias and the ancients said to her: All things which thou hast spoken are true, and there is nothing to be reprehended in thy words.E Ozia, e gli anziani le dissero: Tutto quel che hai detto è verità, e nelle tue parole nulla è da riprendere.And Ozias and the ancientes sayd to her: Al thinges which thou hast spoken, be true, and there is no reprehension in thy wordes.Et dixerunt illi Ozias et presbyteri: Omnia quæ locuta es, vera sunt, et non est in sermonibus tuis ulla reprehensio. 29Now therefore pray for us, for thou art a holy woman, and one fearing God.Ora pertanto prega (il Signore) per noi giacchè tu se una santa donna, e temi Iddio.Now therfore pray for vs, because thou art a holie woman, and fearing God.Nunc ergo ora pro nobis, quoniam mulier sancta es, et timens Deum. 30And Judith said to them: As you know that what I have been able to say is of God:E Giuditta disse loro: Siccome voi conoscete, che di Dio è quello, che ho potuto dire;And Iudith said to them: As you know, that which I could speake to be of God:Et dixit illis Judith: Sicut quod potui loqui, Dei esse cognoscitis, 31So that which I intend to do prove ye if it be of God, and pray that God may strengthen my design.Così fate prova, se da Dio è quello, che ho risoluto di fare, e pregate Dio, che ratifichi il mio disegno,so that which I haue disposed to doe, proue if it be of God, and pray that God establish my counsel.ita quod facere disposui, probate si ex Deo est, et orate ut firmum faciat Deus consilium meum. 32You shall stand at the gate this night, and I will go out with my maidservant: and pray ye, that as you have said, in five days the Lord may look down upon his people Israel.Voi questa notte starete alla porta, e io uscirà colla mia serva; e voi fate orazione, affinchè dentro i cinque giorni, come avete promesso, volga il Signore lo sguardo verso il popolo suo d'Israele.You shal stand at the gate this night, and I wil goe out with myne abra: and pray ye, that as you haue said, in fiue dayes our Lord respect his people Israel.Stabitis vos ad portam nocte ista, et ego exeam cum abra mea: et orate, ut sicut dixistis, in diebus quinque respiciat Dominus populum suum Israël. 33But I desire that you search not into what I am doing, and till I bring you word let nothing else be done but to pray for me to the Lord our God.Non voglio però che si indaghi da voi quel che io sia per fare, e sino a tanto ch'io ve ne porti novella, non altro si faccia, se non pregare il Signore Dio nostro per me.But I wil not that you search my doing, and til I bring you word, let nothing els be done, but pray for me to our Lord God.Vos autem nolo ut scrutemini actum meum, et usque dum renuntiem vobis, nihil aliud fiat, nisi oratio pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.
34And Ozias the prince of Juda said to her: Go in peace, and the Lord be with thee to take revenge of our enemies. So returning they departed.E Ozia principe di Giuda le disse: Va in pace e siate con il Signore a far vendetta de' nostri nemici, e quelli si ritirarono.And Ozias the prince of Iuda said to her: Goe in peace, and our Lord be with thee to the reuenge of our enemies. And returning they departed.Et dixit ad eam Ozias princeps Juda: Vade in pace, et Dominus sit tecum in ultionem inimicorum nostrorum. Et revertentes abierunt.
8:1
Calmet
Idox. Greek, "ox," etc. All the versions disagree, as the copyists have probably taken in part of ver. 3 too soon, supposing that the genealogy of women was never given. St. Fulgentius (ep. ad Gallam) differs from all, giving the ancestors of Manasses as the same with those of Judith. (Calmet)
Challoner
Simeon, the son of Ruben. In the Greek, it is, the son of Israel. For Simeon, the patriarch, from whom Judith descended, was not the son, but the brother of Ruben. It seems more probable, that the Simeon and the Ruben here mentioned are not the patriarchs, but two of the descendants of the patriarch Simeon: and that the genealogy of Judith, recorded in this place, is not carried up so high as the patriarchs. No more than that of Elcana, the father of Samuel, (1 Kings 1:1.) and that of king Saul, 1 Kings 9:1. (Challoner)
Calmet
Others think that Judith descended from Ruben, by her father, and from Simeon, by her mother; (Estius) or that, instead of son of Ruben, we should read "brother." But as we know that Judith calls Simeon her father, (chap. 9:2.) it is more likely that Ruben has been placed for Israel, as it is in Syriac, St. Fulgentius, etc. This correction is maintained by Bellarmine, Salien, Menochius. (Calmet)
Calmet
Thus both Judith and her husband were of the same tribe, the former by Salathiel, the latter by Sarisadai. (Calmet)
Haydock
Innumerable are the mistakes in the proper names, in Scripture. (Haydock)
Haydock
Some of these might have had more than one. Greek has Sarasdai, (Complutensian, "Saladai;" Alexandrian Septuagint, "Salasadai.") instead of Simeon, son of Israel: (Calmet) Alexandrian Septuagint, "Jeel," which is probably a contraction for Israel. (Haydock)
8:2
Who. Greek adds, "of her tribe and family, and he died in the days," etc.
8:3
Haydock
Died. Greek, "fell upon his couch; (Grabe adds, "and died in Betuloua, his own city,") and they buried him with his fathers, in the field between Dothaim and Balamo." (Haydock)
Calmet
These places seem to be added without reason, as they were too remote from Bethulia. (Calmet)
8:4
Six. So the old Vulgate, Greek, and Syriac have, four months.
Calmet
Private. Greek, "a tent on the roof," that she might look towards Jerusalem, and pray with less distraction. Absalom lay in such a situation, 2 Kings 16:22. (Calmet)
Haydock
In which. Greek, "and she put sackcloth," etc., ver. 6. (Haydock)
Calmet
It was a rough sort of garment. (Calmet)
Worthington
Judith led a most religious life, in prayer, hair-cloth, and fasting, all the year, except on the festivals. (Worthington)
8:6
Haydock
Loins. Greek, "and she had on the garments of her widowhood, and." (Haydock)
Calmet
She laid these aside, Judith 10:2:(Calmet)
Haydock
Life. Greek, "widowhood, except the day before the sabbath, and the sabbaths, and the new moons, and feasts, and days of rejoicing of the house of Israel." (Haydock)
Calmet
Syriac and old Vulgate omit, "the day before the sabbath;" and perhaps it may not have been in the original, the Greek translator having inserted it conformably to the practice of his times. It was then prescribed to abstain from fasting, that the joy of the festival might not be impaired, (Grotius) and because it would be necessary to taste what was made ready for the sabbath; (Skikard, Purim) or rather because, as the festival began on Friday, between the two vespers, or from three to six in the afternoon, during the equinoxes, the fast could not be rigorously observed on Friday. (Calmet)
New moons were days of rejoicing. (Menochius) (1 Kings 20:5.)
8:7
Of oxen. Greek, Syriac, etc., add, "and fields, and she lived on them."
8:8
St. Jerome ad Salvinam
Her. "The reputation of chastity in women is tender, and, like a beautiful flower, presently withers at the least blast, and perishes; particularly when they are at an age prone to vice, and destitute of the authority of a husband, whose shadow is the safeguard to a wife." (St. Jerome ad Salvinam.)
Calmet
The Scripture could not give Judith a greater character. (Calmet)
Haydock
How few can obtain it at present, though their virtue may be most pure, detraction is so keen! (Haydock)
8:9
Haydock
When. Greek and Syriac, "and she heard of the evil discourses of the populace against the magistrate, as they lost courage on account of the scarcity of water; and Judith heard of all the words of Ozias to them, how he had sworn to them that he would deliver up the city to the Assyrians after five days. Then sending her maid, whom she had placed at the head of all her possessions, she called Ozias," etc. The following verses give the same sense as the Vulgate, though in other words, and with some additional circumstances. (Haydock)
8:13
Calmet
Pleasure. She blames the magistrates for taking a rash oath, pretending to fathom the designs of God, and to fix a time for him, and not attempting to make any resistance, though the welfare of the whole nation, and the sacred things, depended on their exertions. (Calmet)
Worthington
They had been assured that God had heard their prayer, (chap. 4:9.) and had often witnessed a miraculous interference of Providence. In other circumstances (Haydock) the magistrates would not have been to blame, though Judith might think them so; (Serarius. See ver. 26.; Menochius) and, in effect, they ought rather to have died than thus to have exposed all to certain ruin. (Worthington)
8:15
Man. Greek, "But do not you govern the designs of the Lord, our God, for God is not to be menaced like man, nor forced to give an account like the son of man." (Haydock) (Numbers 23:19.)
8:18
Haydock
For. Greek, "As there has not arisen in our families generations, nor is there at this day either tribe, or family, or populace, or city among us, adoring gods made with hands, as it happened in days past;" in the former part of the reign of Manasses. All had begun to open their eyes, at the sight of the dreadful catastrophe. (Haydock)
8:20
Haydock
Let. Greek, "Wherefore we hope that he will not despise us, nor those of our race; nor, if we be taken, will Judea be so styled, our sacred things will be plundered. He will require his profanation at our mouth," etc. She shews the dread consequences which will ensue from the rash oath, and from such dastardly conduct under trial. (Haydock)
8:21
Haydock
Brethren. Greek adds, "Let us shew our brethren that their soul depends on us, and the holy things, and the house, (temple) and the altar, are supported by us." These were not therefore demolished, Judith 5:22. (Haydock)
"Yea, let us give thanks, above all, to the Lord our God, who tries us like our fathers. Remember," etc.
8:23
Haydock
Jacob. Greek adds, "in Mesopotamia....because he does not take vengeance on us, as he made them pass through fire to examine their heart. But the Lord, for an admonition, chastises those who approach to him. And Ozias," ver. 28. (Haydock)
8:25
Menochius
Destroyer. As this word is not used elsewhere, (Worthington) St. Paul seems to allude to this passage, (1 Corinthians 10:10.) as Judith does to various punishments (Numbers 11:1., and 14:12., and 20:4.; Calmet) inflicted by an angel. (Menochius)
8:26
Menochius
Suffer, as if to shew our impatience (Haydock) and anger against God. (Menochius)
8:28
Haydock
Words. Greek adds, "for it is not to-day only that thy wisdom has appeared, but from thy earliest days all the people has known thy prudence, as the formation (Haydock. Syriac, the thought; Calmet) of thy heart is good. But the people was much oppressed with thirst, and they forced us to....take an oath, which we shall not break. Now," etc. (Haydock)
Houbigant
It hence appears that Judith was not very young; and as many desired to marry her, (chap. ultra; Greek) we may conclude that she was of a middle age, or about thirty-five. (Houbigant)
8:29
Haydock
God. Greek adds, "and the Lord will send rain to fill our reservoirs, and we shall faint no longer. And Judith replied: Hear me, and I will perform an action which shall come to the ears of all future generations of our race. You," etc., ver. 32. (Haydock)
Calmet
She did not tell what she was going to do. (Calmet)
8:32
Calmet
Servant. Greek abra, commonly (Haydock) denotes a maid of honour, (Worthington) or companion, though sometimes it is applied to people of loose morals. This servant had probably the administration of the affairs of her mistress, ver. 9. (Calmet)
Pray. Greek, "as you....the Lord will by my hand look," etc.
8:33
And till. Greek, "for I shall not tell you, till what I am about be accomplished. And Ozias, with the princes, said to her."
8:34
Departed. Greek adds, "from the tent to their respective stations."
8:1
Simeon the son of Ruben.... In the Greek, it is the son of Israel. For Simeon the patriarch, from whom Judith descended, was not the son, but the brother of Ruben. It seems more probable that the Simeon and the Ruben here mentioned are not the patriarchs: but two of the descendants of the patriarch Simeon: and that the genealogy of Judith, recorded in this place, is not carried up so high as the patriarchs. No more than that of Elcana the father of Samuel, 1 Kings 1.1, and that of king Saul, 1 Kings 9.1.
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In three special obseruances this holie widow led a most religions life In much priuate prayer in wearing hearecloth; and in much fasting: as it were a perpetual lent, aldayes but Sabbathes, & feastes excepted.
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the first day of the moneth.
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In this especially they offended, that they prefixed a ti••, meaning then to yeld the citie, for they shold rather haue fought against the enemie, then deliuer Gods people to a tyranne, holie thinges into prophane handes, & by their example put Ierusalem and the temple in like danger. Rabanus.
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S. Paul 1. Cor. 10. v. 10. alleaging that happened to the people of Israel in the desert, addeth this word destroyer, which is only in this place, and not Num 11. nor 14 nor els in the old Testamēt. which is an other argumēt that this boke is Canonical.
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Some thinke Abra was a proper name, but whether it was or no, it signifieth an handmaide of more honour as we speake: A maide of honour.
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St Ambrose of Milan † AD 397 Concerning Widows 7
37. But bravery also is usually not wanting to a good widow. For this is true bravery, which surpasses the usual nature and the weakness of the sex by the devotion of the mind, such as was in her who was named Judith,
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Pope St Clement I † AD 99 The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians 10
… so shall thy seed be. And Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” On account of his faith and hospitality, a son was given him in his old age; and in the exercise of obedience, he offered him as a sacrifice to God on one of the mountains which He showed him.
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Pope St Clement I † AD 99 The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians 55
… The blessed Judith, when her city was besieged, asked of the elders permission to go forth into the camp of the strangers; and, exposing herself to danger, she went out for the love which she bare to her country and people then besieged; and the Lord delivered Holofernes into the hands of a woman.
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It is the same as confessing, praising, glorifying, namely God; for יהודה hoda signifies to confess, to praise, to celebrate. For this reason Judith withdrew from the crowd into her oratory, so that she might continually pray to and praise God. Hear St. Fulgentius, epistle 2, On the state of widowhood, citing these words concerning Judith: "Behold a widow distinguished by birth, rich in resources, young in age, lovely in appearance, she despised riches, rejected delights, trampled upon the incentives of the flesh, and clothed with virtue from on high did not seek to serve a second marriage. Therefore by the testimony of so distinguished a work it appeared how beloved of God is the continence of widowhood." 4. Of one Jemini. — Some think Judith to be a common name, as is Abra, but appropriated to this heroine: יהודי Jehudi indeed is the same as Judæan; whence יהודית Jehudit, and by crasis, Judith, is the same as Judæa. It is more true that Judith is a proper name, whose etymology aptly agrees here. For Judith in Hebrew DAUGHTER OF MERARI, SON OF IDOX. — Note: Only sixteen generations and as many ancestors of Judith are recounted here, although from Jacob, the common patriarch of the Jews, up to the Babylonian captivity, which preceded the age of Judith, twenty-six generations are numbered, Matthew, chap. I. Therefore one of two things must be said here, namely either not all of Judith's ancestors are recounted here, just as neither are those of Elcana, I Kings I, 1, nor of Saul in the same place, chap. IX, 1; for it suffices for Holy Scripture to bring the genealogy of someone to some illustrious man, for example in Saul to Jemini. Or certainly Judith's ancestors and great-ancestors begat sons in old age. For this reason from Esdras up to Aaron sixteen generations are numbered, book I Esdras, chap. VII, 2; although, I Paralipomenon VI, 3, from Josedec who was a contemporary, indeed a brother of Esdras, up to Aaron twenty-two generations are numbered. Thus St. Matthew, chap. I, numbers from Christ to David twenty-eight generations and ancestors, whereas St. Luke, chap. III, numbers forty-three. Wherefore those of Luke begat more quickly, those of Matthew more slowly. SON OF SIMEON, SON OF RUBEN. — Hence some think Judith to have sprung from the tribe of Ruben. But that she was born from the tribe of Simeon is clear from her own words, chap. IX, verse 2. Wherefore the Greek texts here for "son of Ruben" have son of Israel, that is Jacob, and thus they think it should be read, St. Fulgentius, epistle II, chap. XXIV, Bellarmine, book I, On the Word of God, chap. XII, Serarius, Mariana and others. Since, however, the Codices corrected at Rome and the others consistently have "son of Ruben," it must be said that this Ruben is not the Patriarch and firstborn of Jacob, but is an illustrious man from the tribe of Simeon, to whom therefore the lineage of Judith is here traced, and in him terminates, not proceeding to his fathers and ancestors up to Simeon the Patriarch, and the second son of Jacob. That this is so is clear from what has been said, and from the fact that Ruben, the firstborn of Jacob, had no son who was called Simeon, as is evident from Genesis XLVI, 9, and I Paralipomenon V, 3. Thus Lyran.
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HER HUSBAND MANASSES. — The Greek texts add that he was from the same tribe and country as Judith. WAS OVER. — In Greek ἐπέστη, that is, stood over; whence some think Manasses was the prefect of the harvest, not his own, but public, or of the whole field of Bethulium. For thus at Rome and elsewhere, there are prefects of the public grain supply and provisions. Thus Josephus in his life says that the prefecture of a great field was entrusted to Arbutius.
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4. Six months. — The Greek texts have four months.
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5. AND IN THE UPPER PARTS OF HER HOUSE (namely in a chamber, or loft) SHE MADE HERSELF A SECRET BEDROOM, IN WHICH SHE REMAINED SHUT UP WITH HER HANDMAIDS (servants), — both that she might flee from men and the crowds of visitors, and thus might consult both her chastity and her reputation; and that she might be wholly free for prayer and God. This therefore is the first dowry of Judith the widow, namely the love of silence and solitude. Hence St. Jerome, in his letter to Furia the widow, gives her this admonition: "Flee the company of young men, do not go forth in public, and do not go about with the retinue of eunuchs preceding you, enjoying the freedom of widows: seek the society of holy virgins and widows. And if necessity should press upon you to converse with men, do not avoid witnesses, and let your confidence in conversing be such that when another enters, you neither fear nor blush. The face is the mirror of the mind: and silent eyes confess the secrets of the heart." And further below: "Redeem virgins whom you would lead into the chamber of the King; take up widows whom you would mingle among the lilies of virgins and the roses of martyrs, as certain violets: in place of the crown of thorns, in which Christ bore the sins of the world, compose such garlands."
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6. AND HAVING UPON HIS LOINS A HAIRCLOTH. — Continually stimulating and pricking her flesh with its bristles as with needles, and by that pain suppressing and extinguishing the base concupiscence of pleasure boiling up in youthful blood. For haircloth tames these more, being continuous and constant, like the transient pains and blows of scourges. Therefore young people, especially widowed women, should arm themselves with haircloth as with a most powerful defense for taming the flesh and preserving chastity. See our Gretser, book On Disciplines; for, as St. Jerome says, epistle 2 to Ageruchiam the widow: "And certainly it is much more laborious not to enjoy what you have, than to desire what you have lost. Whence virginity is easier in this, because it knows not the incentives of the flesh; and widowhood is more anxious in this, because it recalls to mind past pleasures." And earlier, proposing examples of the chastity of pagan matrons, who preferred chastity to life, he says: "I shall briefly mention the queen of Carthage, who preferred to burn rather than marry King Hiarbas; and the wife of Hasdrubal, who, seizing her children in both hands, threw herself into the fire below, lest she suffer the loss of modesty; and Lucretia, who, having lost the glory of chastity, was unwilling to survive with a polluted conscience." AND SHE FASTED ALL THE DAYS OF HER LIFE, EXCEPT THE SABBATHS. — Moreover, the Jews fasted from morning to evening, nor did they take food before the sight of the evening star and stars, as the Turks still fast. This was the third gift of Judith, namely perpetual fasting, which removed from the fire of lust the fuel of delights, indeed of necessary foods. Note this: Remove wood from the fire, if you wish to extinguish the flame. Hear St. Jerome, epistle 9 to Salvian on preserving widowhood: "You indeed, who have buried all pleasures alike in the tomb of your husband, who have washed your face painted with purple and ceruse over his bier with tears, who have taken on a dark tunic and black shoes by laying aside white garments and gilded sandals; you have need of nothing else, except to persevere in fasting. Let paleness and filth be your jewels; let not the softness of feathers cherish youthful limbs; let not the heat of baths inflame the new blood of the young woman. Hear what the pagan Poet sings from the person of a continent widow: 'He who first joined me to himself took my loves; let him have them with him and keep them in the tomb.' If so common glass is valued as highly as the most precious pearl? If thus by common law of nature the pagan widow condemns all pleasures; what is to be expected of a Christian widow, who owes her chastity not only to him who is dead, but also to him with whom she is to reign?" And below: "It is much better that the stomach ache, than the mind; to command the body, than to serve it; to waver in gait, than in chastity." The same, epistle 10 to the widow Furia: "The burning arrows of the devil," he says, "are to be turned back by the rigor of fastings and vigils; otherwise a widow who lives in delights is dead while living," I Tim. V. And below: "The Apostle mortifies his body, and subjects it to the command of the soul; lest what he prescribes to others, he himself does not keep: and shall a young girl, with body inflamed by foods, be secure concerning chastity? Nor indeed in saying this do I condemn the foods which God created for use with thanksgiving; but I remove from young men and girls the incentives of pleasures. Neither the fires of Ætna, nor the Vulcanian earth, nor Vesuvius and Olympus glow with such heat, as youthful marrow full of wine and inflamed by rich foods." Then exhorting her to abstain from wine and meat, he adds: "And know that nothing so conduces to Christian young people, as the eating of vegetables." Whence also in another place: "He who is weak," he says, "let him not eat meat, and the heat of bodies is to be tempered by cooler foods." And soon after: "Whatever makes a seedbed of pleasures, consider it poison. Sparing food, and a belly always hungry, is to be preferred to three-day fasts. And it is much better to eat a little daily, than rarely enough. That rain is best, which descends slowly into the earth. Sudden and excessive rain overturns the fields headlong. When you eat, think that immediately you must pray, and at once read." And after some things: "O if you could see your sister! She makes fasting a game, prayer a delight."
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7. WHOSE HUSBAND HAD LEFT HER GREAT RICHES, — which she herself did not expend for her own use, but for the use of the needy. Excellently St. Bernard, sermon on the feast of all Saints: "What," he says, "is more admirable, or what martyrdom more grievous, than to hunger amid feasts, to be cold amid many and precious garments, to be pressed by poverty amid the riches which the world offers, which the evil one displays, which our own appetite desires? Shall not he be crowned with merit who has thus contended, rejecting the world promising, mocking the enemy tempting, and (what is more glorious) triumphing over himself, and crucifying the itching concupiscence?"
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8. AND THIS WOMAN WAS VERY FAMOUS IN ALL THINGS (that is, of most approved fame, or the most celebrated fame of probity and holiness), BECAUSE SHE FEARED THE LORD EXCEEDINGLY. — This fear was not servile, but filial, by which Judith revered and honored God as her Lord, indeed as her Father in the highest degree; and therefore she strove to please Him in all things, and was careful lest in any matter, however small, she should offend Him. And by this holiness she prepared herself for so great a deed, that she might be worthy to be chosen by God to overthrow the camp of the enemy, and to liberate the people. Allegorically Judith was a type of the Blessed Virgin, concerning whom St. Bonaventura in the Mirror, chapter VIII, says: "The Lord, most renowned and most famous, is most famously with thee; therefore thou also art most famous and most renowned, etc.: Mary therefore was signified through that Judith of most famous name, of whom it is written that there was no one who spoke an evil word of her."
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11. AND WHO ARE YOU, THAT TEMPT THE LORD? — "Tempt," that is, exacerbate, irritate, and provoke to anger, while you prescribe laws to Him, so that unless He succors you within five days, you wish to deliver the city to the enemy, when rather you ought to invoke Him with suppliant prayer, that He may have mercy on you, and may Himself prescribe to you the day and manner of your liberation.
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15. FOR NOT AS MAN, SO SHALL GOD THREATEN, that is to say, let us not fear the threats of Holofernes, but those of God; for his threats are proud, empty and vain, as are those of other men; but God's are certain, fixed and efficacious. For God when angered surely and inevitably inflicts what He threatens.
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16. AND THEREFORE LET US HUMBLE OUR SOULS TO HIM. — Through humble penance, fasting, prayer and supplication, that He may forgive us our sins, and deliver us from Holofernes.
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21. BY YOUR WORD (that is, by your eloquence) LIFT UP THEIR HEARTS, — to magnanimity and firm confidence in God the liberator.
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23. ALL WHO PLEASED GOD PASSED THROUGH MANY TRIBULATIONS FAITHFUL. — That is, faithfully adhering to God, and seeking and awaiting liberation from Him in tribulation. See the remarks on James I, 1 et seq. and Ecclesiasticus II, 1 et seq.
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26. And therefore let us not avenge ourselves, — that is, let us not be indignant and murmur against God in the manner of those who avenge themselves, as if wishing to avenge ourselves upon Him for the disasters and fears which He brings upon us.
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30. AND JUDITH SAID TO THEM: AS WHAT I COULD SPEAK, YOU KNOW TO BE OF GOD (that is, suggested and inspired to me by God): 31. SO PROVE IF THAT WHICH I HAVE RESOLVED TO DO (namely, by cunning to kill Holofernes) BE OF GOD: — The "if" here is not that of one doubting, but of one affirming; and it is the same as "that," that is to say, As you have proved my words to proceed from God, so also prove my purpose, which I have resolved to do from God, or at God's urging, namely that I go to Holofernes and kill him. Yet she says "if," as if doubting, for the sake of modesty, because this deed was not yet done, but was to be done; although she herself was certain of a happy outcome from God's instinct, that is to say, "Prove," that is, see and attend to that which I am about to do, and from the outcome prove and judge "if it be of God;" that is, Surely when you see the deed happily accomplished, you will prove it, and will judge it undertaken from God as author. She speaks in general terms, but does not explain in particular what she has in mind: for she knew that if she did this, the matter would not remain secret, but would be carried to Holofernes. She likewise knew that many would condemn this purpose of hers as rash. Whence the Greek texts have: I will do a deed which shall come down to the generations of the generations of the children of our race.
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32. YOU SHALL STAND AT THE GATE THIS NIGHT, AND I WILL GO OUT WITH MY HANDMAID, — that is to say, Open the gates to me at night, closed for fear of the enemy, and allow me to go out with my maidservant. For she asks that the gate be opened to her at night. WITH MY HANDMAID. — Many think that the "abra" is the proper name of Judith's maidservant; but they are mistaken, for it is a common noun signifying a maidservant. Whence in chapter X, 2 et seq., where our translation renders it "handmaid," in the Greek it is abra; therefore it is said as if חברה chabra, that is, companion, or rather as if עברה abra, that is, passing, attendant: for עבר habar means passed. Thus Pagninus. Moreover, this was not a common maidservant of Judith, but one who was placed in charge of all her possessions, as the Greek has it. Hence the Greeks call honored maidservants (whom the Italians call Cameriere) abra, as is evident from Menander in the pseudo-Hercules. Thus in Genesis chapter XXIV, verse 61, the maidservants of Rebecca are called abra, as also the maidservant of the daughter of Pharaoh, Exodus chapter II, verse 5. Some add that abra is properly said of a maidservant who is a table-companion and amanuensis, and presides over the pantry; for this is what the word signifies among the Spartans.
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33. BUT YOU I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU SEARCH OUT MY DEED. — as being approved and decreed by God. He prudently conceals his secret; for the whole energy of this action consisted in the secret. AND UNTIL I ANNOUNCE IT TO YOU, LET NOTHING ELSE BE DONE EXCEPT PRAYER FOR ME TO THE LORD. — Here learn that in a public and grave matter one should seek public and continuous prayers, that God may direct and prosper the matter. The arms of Judith, therefore, by which she cut off Holofernes, were the public litanies and prayers of the whole people. Note this passage for litanies. Hear St. Augustine, sermon 228, On the Seasons, which is about Judith: "Judith most holy, to whose prayers heaven was opened, by the art of prayer fabricated victorious arms, by which she might contend against adversaries, and as a woman vindicated men who were afraid. The city was filthy with the siege of barbarous savagery. For thus did all languish, that in the hands of the enemy they judged it more convenient to be delivered, than to be vexed by the destruction of pernicious famine. Behold Judith after prayer and sackcloth, after ashes, after girlish adornment returns, the hope of all peoples goes forth, about to render anxious peoples secure, consoles them by her wisdom, which promising victory, which all the nation would marvel at, asks that the gate be opened to her with the obstacles somewhat removed. She went forth secure, accompanied by the contentment of one girl, and with secure steps hastened to the camp of the enemy. Within the walls she was anxious, she becomes secure, while she proceeds to things to be feared." And toward the end: "By the favor of prayer chastity kept its own modesty untouched and quiet, and deceived another's, etc. For where heaven is struck by assiduous prayers, the power of arms is always trampled down. Prayer kept the chastity of the glorious woman, and the multitude could not keep the enemy. One woman was able to vindicate the mourning city, and so great an army could not protect the king." And sermon 229: "Judith a warlike spirit besieged another's breast. She, casting aside the fear of women, seeking victory in dangers, neither feared death in dangers, nor dreaded uncertainty."
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
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Eliab (Heb. "Il My God Is Father")
7. Son of Nathanael, ancestor of Judith (Jdt. 8:1; Vulg. …
Salathiel (Heb. Sē'alt'ēl - «Asked of God»)
… In Jdt. 8:1, in the Vulgate, S. is read among the ancestors of Judith; but this is a variant of Salamiel.
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Douay 1609-10), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.