Глава 3

1–5. An embassy of frightened inhabitants of a coastal country to Holofernes with an expression of submission. 6–10. The arrival of Holofernes in the countries surrounding Judea and the introduction of the cult of Nebuchadnezzar into them. Judith 3:1 And they sent messengers to him with this peace proposal: Judith 3:2 Behold, we, the servants of the great king Nebuchadnezzar, prostrate ourselves before you: do with us what you please. Judith 3:3 Here before you are our villages, and all our places, and all the fields of wheat, and the herds of sheep and oxen, and all the buildings of our dwellings: use them as you wish. Judith 3:4 These are our cities, and those who dwell in them are your servants: go and do to them as it seems good to your eyes. 1–4. “Do (with us and with all our property) as it pleases you!” - in a propitiatory sense, in order to arouse compassion. And indeed, in the description of Holofernes’ actions in the coastal country there are no, for example, such terrifying details as are given above, Chapter II, Art. 26–27. Apparently, Holofernes limited himself here only to destroying the former worship of the seaside people and imposing on them a new god - Nebuchadnezzar, which most of all, of course, should have terrified neighboring Israel, who feared the same fate for themselves. Judith 3:5 And men came to Holofernes and told him these words. Judith.3:6 Then he came to the coastal country with his army, surrounded the high cities with guards and took selected men from them to be his companions. Judith.3:7 And they and all their surroundings received him with wreaths, faces and timbrels. 5–7. While among other peoples Holofernes “beat” even “all their young men with the edge of the sword,” to the coastal people and here he seems to be more humane, allowing himself to replenish his army with them. The Primorye people could also attract Holofernes to this humanity with their captivating attitude, receiving him everywhere with wreaths, faces and tympanums. Judith.3:8 He destroyed all their heights and cut down their groves: he was ordered to destroy all the gods of that land, so that all nations would serve one Nebuchadnezzar, and all their languages ​​and all their tribes would call on him as God. 8. “Groves” – with trees dedicated to Ashtoreth (2 Chronicles 14:2). Judith 3:9 When he came to Esdraelon near Dothea, which lies opposite the great gorge of Judah, 9. "Near Dothea". Instead of “Dothea” (Δωταία) – stands in other places (Judith. 4:6, 7:3, 8:3), Heb. ??? (Gen. 37:17; 2 Kings 6:13). Judith.3:10 He encamped between Hawaii and the city of the Scythians and remained there for a whole month in order to gather all the baggage of his army. 10. “Between Hawaii” – Γαιβαί – Γεβάλ, Γαβαί – corrupted Hebrew. ??? – mountain range and village. “City of the Scythians” – Scythopolis, ancient Hebrew. ???.