Holofernes

In the year of the World 3347, before J. C. 653, before the Vulgar Æra 657. Judith ii. iii.HOLOFERNES, Lieutenant-General of Nebuchadonozar, the King of Assyria’s armies. In the Article NEBUCHADNEZZAR, we shall shew who this Prince was. See also ARPHAXAD. Nebuchadonozar Judg. i. 16. Judith v.therefore having in a remarkable encounter overcome Arphaxad King of the Medes; sent to all the Nations with an intention of obliging them this way to submit themselves to his Empire¹, pretending that there could be no power capable of resisting him. Notwithstanding, the people, to whom he deputed his Ambassadors, refused to obey him; whereupon he sent Holofernes against them at the head of a powerful army. This General passed the Euphrates, entred Cilicia and Syria, and subdued almost all the people of these Provinces, some voluntarily submitting, others being compelled by force to surrender; the General every where exercizing a thousand cruelties, and endeavouring every where to have his master worshipped In the year of the World 3348, before J. C. 652, before the Vulgar Æra 656. Judith vi. Judith vii.as a God.

Having resolved to make a conquest of Egypt, he advanced towards Judæa, which is the common road into that country, and little expected to meet with any resistance from the Jews. In the mean time he was informed, that they were preparing to oppose him; and Achior commander of the Ammonites, who had already submitted to Holofernes, and were as auxiliary troops in his army, represented to him what sort of persons the Hebrews were, and told him, that they were a people protected in a particular manner by Almighty God, who rendred them invincible as long as they were obedient to him; and therefore he should not flatter himself with the expectation of overcoming them, unless they had committed some offence against God, whereby they might become unworthy of his protection. Holofernes provoked at this discourse, said to him, since you have acted so well the Prophet, I will shew you that there is no other God besides Nebuchadnezzar; and that you shall perish together with the Hebrews, whose God, and whose power you have so gloriously described to us. At the same time he commanded Achior to be taken and carried towards Bethulia, and delivered into the hands of the Hebrews. The servants therefore of Holofernes took Achior, and having conveyed him within sight of, and pretty near to the walls of Bethulia, they tied him to a tree, and left him there, whither the Jews soon came and loosed him, and were informed from his mouth of all that had passed.

In the mean time, Holofernes formed the siege of Bethulia; and having cut off the water which supplied the city, and set guards at the only fountain which the besieged had near the walls, the inhabitants of the city were soon reduced to extremity, and resolved to surrender, if God did not send them succours in five days. Judith being informed of their resolution, con ceived the design of killing Holofernes in Judith viii. ix. x. xi.his camp. She took her finest clothes, and went out of Bethulia with her maid-servant; and being brought to the General, she pretended that she could no longer endure the sins and excesses of the Jews, and that God had inspired her with the design of surrendering herself to him.

As soon as Holofernes saw her, he was taken with her beauty; and some days after invited her to a great feast, which he prepared for the principal Officers of his army. But he drank so much wine, that sleep and drunkenness hindred him from satisfying his passion. Judith, who in the night was left alone in his tent, cut off his Judith xii. xiii.head with his own sword; and departing with her servant from the camp, she returned to Bethulia, with the head of Holofernes. As soon as it was day, the besieged made a sally upon the enemies, who going into their General’s tent, found his headless carcass wallowing in its own blood. They then discerned that Judith had deceived them, and fled with precipitation, leaving the camp abounding with rich spoils: the Jews pursued them, killed a great number of them, and returned loaded with booty.

There is a great diversity of opinions concerning the time when this war between Holofernes and the Jews happened. Some date it from the captivity of Babylon, in the reign of Manasseh, and Pontificate of Eliakim the High-Priest. Others place it at some time after the captivity. All which may be seen more at large in the Article JUDITH. We suppose it to have happened before the captivity, in the year of the World 3348, before Jesus Christ 652, before the Vulgar Æra 656.

Read this article in its place on the printed pages