Page "Book of Judith" Paragraph 5

The Book of Judith has a tragic setting that appealed to Jewish patriots and it warned of the urgency of adhering to Mosaic law, generally speaking, but what accounted for its enduring appeal was the drama of its narrative.

The story revolves around Judith, a daring and beautiful widow, who is upset with her Jewish countrymen for not trusting God to deliver them from their foreign conquerors.

She goes with her loyal maid to the camp of the enemy general, Holofernes, with whom she slowly ingratiates herself, promising him information on the Israelites.

Gaining his trust, she is allowed access to his tent one night as he lies in a drunken stupor.

She decapitates him, then takes his head back to her fearful countrymen.

The Assyrians, having lost their leader, disperse, and Israel is saved.

Though she is courted by many, she remains unmarried for the rest of her life.