Judith – Chapter 14

Old Testament • 18 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And Judith said to all the people: Hear me, my brethren, hang ye up this head upon our walls." — so begins Judith 14. The chapter centers on Holofernes, Judith and Nebuchadnezzar. Across its 18 verses, two threads run through the text: faith and trust in God and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And Judith said to all the people: Hear me, my brethren, hang ye up this head upon our walls.

2And as soon as the sun shall rise, let every man take his arms, and rush ye out, not as going down beneath, but as making an assault.

3Then the watchmen must needs run to awake their prince for the battle.

4And when the captains of them shall run to the tent of Holofernes, and shall find him without his head wallowing in his blood, fear shall fall upon them.

5And when you shall know that they are fleeing, go after them securely, for the Lord will destroy them under your feet.

6Then Achior seeing the power that the God of Israel had wrought, leaving the religion of the Gentiles, he believed God, and circumcised the flesh of his foreskin, and was joined to the people of Israel, with all the succession of his kindred until this present day.

7And immediately at break of day, they hung up the head of Holofernes upon the walls, and every man took his arms, and they went out with a great noise and shouting.

8And the watchmen seeing this, ran to the tent of Holofernes.

9And they that were in the tent came, and made a noise, before the door of the chamber to awake him, endeavouring by art to break his rest, that Holofernes might awake, not by their calling him, but by their noise.

10For no man durst knock, or open and go into the chamber of the general of the Assyrians.

11But when his captains and tribunes were come, and all the chiefs of the army of the king of the Assyrians, they said to the chamberlains:

12Go in, and awake him, for the mice, coming out of their holes, have presumed to challenge us to fight.

13Then Vagao going into his chamber, stood before the curtain, and made a clapping with his hands: for he thought that he was sleeping with Judith.

14But when with hearkening, he perceived no motion of one lying, he came near to the curtain, and lifting it up, and seeing the body of Holofernes, lying upon the ground, without the head, weltering in his blood, he cried out with a loud voice, with weeping, and rent his garments.

15And he went into the tent of Judith, and not finding her, he ran out to the people,

16And said: One Hebrew woman hath made confusion in the house of king Nabuchodonosor: for behold Holofernes lieth upon the ground, and his head is not upon him.

17Now when the chiefs of the army of the Assyrians had heard this, they all rent their garments, and an intolerable fear and dread fell upon them, and their minds were troubled exceedingly.

18And there was a very great cry in the midst of their camp.

Important Verses in Judith 14

“And Judith said to all the people: Hear me, my brethren, hang ye up this head upon our walls.”

Judith 14:1

“And when you shall know that they are fleeing, go after them securely, for the Lord will destroy them under your feet.”

Judith 14:5

“And the watchmen seeing this, ran to the tent of Holofernes.”

Judith 14:8

“And there was a very great cry in the midst of their camp. ”

Judith 14:18

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Judith was written with israel under foreign oppression, called to courage and prayer in view. Chapter 14 of 16 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 18 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Holofernes, Judith and Nebuchadnezzar, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "And Judith said to all the people: Hear me, my brethren, hang ye up this head upon our walls." The final verse reads: "And there was a very great cry in the midst of their camp. " In terms of historical background, Judith is a deuterocanonical account of a courageous widow who saves Israel by beheading the invading general Holofernes. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Probably 2nd century BC, during or after the Maccabean crisis.

Who Wrote It

Unknown Jewish author

When It Was Written

Probably 2nd century BC, during or after the Maccabean crisis

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Judith 14 presents a concrete episode in the history of courage, faith, and God's deliverance. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And Judith said to all the people: Hear me, my brethren, hang ye up this head upon our walls." The passage repeatedly touches on faith and trust in God.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of courage, faith, and God's deliverance. Judith prefigures Mary, who crushes the serpent's head (CIC 489). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2559).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God uses the weak to defeat the strong. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Judith 14 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • ✓God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

Holofernes6 mentionsJudith3 mentionsNebuchadnezzar1 mention

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Judith Chapter 14 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Judith Chapter 14. At the moral level, the unity of Scripture and the Magisterium challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 265).

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 436).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Judith Chapter 14 about?

Judith 14 contains 18 verses. It opens with "And Judith said to all the people: Hear me, my brethren, hang ye up this head upon our walls." and closes with "And there was a very great cry in the midst of their camp. ". The book as a whole is edifying narrative (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Judith 14?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And Judith said to all the people: Hear me, my brethren, hang ye up this head upon our walls." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Judith Chapter 14?

This chapter mentions Holofernes, Judith, Nebuchadnezzar.

Who wrote Judith and when?

Unknown Jewish author. Probably 2nd century BC, during or after the Maccabean crisis.

Related Chapters

Jeremiah 28Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Kings 24Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Chronicles 36Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏The Apostles' Creed🙏Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love🙏The Our Father🙏Novena to Christ the King

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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