Judith
Of all the apocryphal books, the one best known to modern times is probably that of Judith. The heroine has ever been a favorite figure with story-teller and poet, with painter and especially with sculptor. She has become the typical figure of the Hebrew race. In historical accuracy the book is wholly lacking. It is a romance, or rather a national epic celebrating some great Jewish triumph which, if not purely imaginary, has been exaggerated and confused beyond all recognition.
The book tells how “Nabuchodonossor king of the Assyrians” conquered all other kings, and sent his chief general Holofernes with a mighty army to march through every land and lay it waste, and compel its people to worship Nabuchodonossor as god. All the peoples submitted in terror, except the Jews. These “newly returned from the captivity”, had too deep a sense of God’s greatness to do worship to a mere man. Therefore they fortified themselves among their hills and prayed. One of Holofernes’ own counsellors warned him of the power of the Hebrew God and urged him not to attack them; but Holofernes and all his army scoffed at this timorous advice. They would destroy all the Jews forever.
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