Книга Иудифь

The book of Judith is called so because through Judith God saved the children of Israel, who were attacked and besieged by Holofernes, and defeated Holofernes himself. Here is the story: the Assyrian king Nebuchadnezzar, having started a war with Arphaxad, the king of the Media, demanded help from all nations as far as Egypt. But since they did not give help and all refused, he, after the victory and conquest of Arphaxad, began a war against those who refused him. He sent Holofernes with a great army against them. He conquered all nations and crushed their idols; but the children of Israel strengthened themselves, did not submit to Holofernes and were not afraid of his threats. The high priest Joachim wrote to the inhabitants of Bethulia asking them to block the path of Holofernes - his path lay through her - and they did. Holofernes prepared for war. Meanwhile, Achior, the leader of the Ammonites, advised him not to fight with the Jewish people, protected by God; but Holofernes, angry, sent him to Bethulia and threatened to kill him when he defeated the Jews. Thus, Achior lived quietly in Bethulia, while Holofernes besieged the city and took possession of its springs. The people were exhausted with thirst and the leaders were already planning to surrender the city; Then Judith, taking off her widowhood clothes - she mourned her husband and fasted every day - adorned herself like a bride, and, convincing the inhabitants not to surrender the cities before five days, went out to Holofernes. She deceived him with her wisdom and on the third day cut off his head, so that his soldiers did not know about it. Then the citizens, hanging the head of Holofernes on the wall, showed it to his leaders. Then the Assyrians fled, and the sons of Israel, running from all sides, defeated the Assyrians, escaped from danger, took the spoils of the enemies and gave Judith all the things of Holofernes. But Judith, having gone to Jerusalem, dedicated everything to the Lord and, returning to her home, continued her strict life and remained a widow until her death, not agreeing to anyone’s persuasion to marry. She died after living honestly in her widowhood for one hundred and five years. This is where the book ends. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us – Editorial staff of “ABC of Faith” You might be interested in: