In the twelfth year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar, or, as he is called in the Greek, Nabuchodonosor, king of Assj'ria in Nineveh, assisted by the nations who dwelt in the hill-countn,% by Euphrates, Tigris, Hydas- pes, and by the plain of Arioch, king of the Elymaj- ans, made war against Arphaxad, king of Media, who had fortified himself in Ecbatana (i, 1-7) ; and, despite the inhabitants of the countries of the west, Persia, Li- banus, anti-Libanus, Carmel, Galaad, Galilee, Esdraelon, Samaria, etc., refusing their aid (ver. 8-12), conquered Arphaxad, and, returned home to Nineveh in the seven- teenth year of his feign (ver. 13-lG). The following year, determined to carry out his resolution to wTcak his vengeance on those nations who refused their aid, he dispatched his chief general Ilolofernes, at the head of 120,000 infantry and 12,000 cavaby (ii, 1-22), who soon subdued Mesopotamia, Syria, Libya, Cilicia, and Idumsea (ii, 23 ; iii, 8), and marched on Judaja (ver. 9, 10). The inhabitants of the sea-coast made a voluntary submis- sion, which, however, did not prevent their territories from being laid waste, their sacred groves bunied, and their idols destroyed, in order that divine honors should be paid only to Nebuchadnezzar. Holoferncs, having finally encamped in the plain of Esdraelon (i, 3), re- mained inactive for a whole month — or two, according to the Latm version. But the children of Israel, who had newly returned from the captivity, having heard of Holofernes's atrocities, and being afraid of his despoiling the Temple, determined to resist the enemy, and jjre- pared for war under the direction of their high-priest Joachim, or Eliakim, and the senate. They at once took possession of the high momitains and fortified villages (iv, 1-5), whilst the inhabitants of Bethulia and Beto- mestham, according to the command of the high-priest Joachim, guarded the passes of the mountains near Do- thaim (ver. 6-8); and, having made all the necessary preparations, they held a solemn fast and prayed to God for protection (ver. 9-15). Enraged, as well as aston- ished at their audacity in preparing to fight against him, Holofernes made inquiries of the chiefs of Ammon and ]\Ioab who this people was (v, 1-4). Achior, the leader of the Ammonites, then gives him the history of the Jews, and tells him that no power could vanquish them unless they sin against their God (ver. 5-21). The proud army, however, becomes exceedingly angry with this statement (vi, 1-9), and Holofernes orders Achior to be thrown into the Jewish camp, in order that he may be destroyed in the general destruction which was impendmg over the people whom he described as in-
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vincible (ver. 10-13). The Jews pick him up, and lead him to the governor of Bethiilia, to whom he relates this, and who comforts him (ver. 14-21). The next day Holofernes marches against Bethulia, takes the moun- tain passes, seizes all the supplies of water (vii, 1-7), and lays siege to the city (ver. 8-19), which lasts forty days, when the famishing people urge upon the governor Ozias to surrender it, and he decides to do so unless re- lieved within live days (ver. 20-32). The pious widow Judith, however, denounces this decision as tempting the Almighty (viii, 1-31), and conceives a plan for de- livering the people (ver. 32-36). With this view she entreats the governor and elders to give up all idea of surrender, and to permit the gates of the city to be opened for her. Having prayed to the God of her fa- thers for the overthrow of the enemy (ix, 1-14), she ar- rays herself in rich attire, and, accompanied by her maid, who carries a bag of provision, goes to the camp of Holofernes (x, 1-11). The guards, seeing this beautifid woman, and hearing her story, conduct her to the gen- eral (ver. 12-23), whom she tells that the Jews would now be vanquished, because they had sinned against God in eating the victuals consecrated to the Temple (xi, 1-15); that she had fled from the impending de- struction, and woiUd show him the access to the city, only requestuig tliat she shoidd be permitted to go out of the camp to pray in the night (ver. 16-19). Holo- fernes, smitten with her charms, gives her a sumptuous entertainment, and invites her to remain alone with him withm the tent that night (xii, 1-20). When heavily asleep in consequence of having drunk too freely, Judith seizes his falchion, strikes off his head, gives it to her maid outside, who puts it in the bag which contained the provisions ; they both leave the camp as usual un- der the pretence of devotion, and return to Bethulia, dis- playing the head of Holofernes, amidst the rejoicings and thanksgivings of the people (xiii, 1-20), Achior, hearing of this wonderfid deliverance, is at once con- verted to Judaism, whilst Judith counsels the Israelites to surprise the enemy next morning (xiv, 1-10), who, being panic-stricken at the loss of their general, are soon discomfited, leaving immense siX)il in the hands of the Jews (xiv, 11-xv, 11). The women of Israel then ex- press their gratitude to their sister (ver. 12-13), whilst Judith bursts forth in a sublime song of praise to the God of their salvation (xvi, 1-17), whereupon all of them go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord with sacrifices and feastings (ver. 18-20). Juditli afterwards rtturns to her native place, Bethulia, manumits her inaid, ami dies at the advanced age of 105 years, greatly lamented by all the nation, whose peace no enemy dared to disturb ibr a long time (ver. 21-25). The Jews enjoying a profound and happy peace, a yearly festival (according to the Vulgate) is instituted in honor of the victory.