Judith – Chapter 15

Old Testament15 Verses

Chapter Summary

Judith 15 opens with the words: "And when all the army heard that Holofernes was beheaded, courage and counsel fled from them, and being seized with trembling and fear they…" The chapter centers on Holofernes and Judith. Across its 15 verses, two threads run through the text: courage in the face of fear and family and covenant relationships. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And when all the army heard that Holofernes was beheaded, courage and counsel fled from them, and being seized with trembling and fear they thought only to save themselves by flight.

2So that no one spoke to his neighbour, but hanging down the head, leaving all things behind, they made haste to escape from the Hebrews, who, as they heard, were coming armed upon them, and fled by the ways of the fields, and the paths of the hills.

3So the children of Israel seeing them fleeing, followed after them. And they went down sounding with trumpets and shouting after them.

4And because the Assyrians were not united together, they went without order in their flight; but the children of Israel pursuing in one body, defeated all that they could find.

5And Ozias sent messengers through all the cities and countries of Israel.

6And every country, and every city, sent their chosen young men armed after them, and they pursued them with the edge of the sword until they came to the extremities of their confines.

7And the rest that were in Bethulia went into the camp of the Assyrians, and took away the spoils which the Assyrians in their flight had left behind them, and they were laden exceedingly,

8But they that returned conquerors to Bethulia, brought with them all things that were theirs, so that there was no numbering of their cattle, and beasts, and all their moveables, insomuch that from the least to the greatest all were made rich by their spoils.

9And Joachim the high priest came from Jerusalem to Bethulia with all his ancients to see Judith.

10And when she was come out to him, they all blessed her with one voice, saying: Thou art the glory of Jerusalem, thou art the joy of Israel, thou art the honour of our people:

11For thou hast done manfully, and thy heart has been strengthened, because thou hast loved chastity, and after thy husband hast not known any other: therefore also the hand of the Lord hath strengthened thee, and therefore thou shalt be blessed for ever.

12And all the people said: So be it, so be it.

13And thirty days were scarce sufficient for the people of Israel to gather up the spoils of the Assyrians.

14But all those things that were proved to be the peculiar goods of Holofernes, they gave to Judith in gold, and silver, and garments and precious stones, and all household stuff, and they all were delivered to her by the people.

15And all the people rejoiced, with the women, and virgins, and young men, playing on instruments and harps.

Important Verses in Judith 15

And when all the army heard that Holofernes was beheaded, courage and counsel fled from them, and being seized with trembling and fear they thought only to save themselves by flight.

Judith 15:1

And because the Assyrians were not united together, they went without order in their flight; but the children of Israel pursuing in one body, defeated all that they could find.

Judith 15:4

And the rest that were in Bethulia went into the camp of the Assyrians, and took away the spoils which the Assyrians in their flight had left behind them, and they were laden exceedingly,

Judith 15:7

For thou hast done manfully, and thy heart has been strengthened, because thou hast loved chastity, and after thy husband hast not known any other: therefore also the hand of the Lord hath strengthened thee, and therefore thou shalt be blessed for ever.

Judith 15:11

Historical Context

Judith belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for israel under foreign oppression, called to courage and prayer. Chapter 15 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 15 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Holofernes and Judith, the principal figures named in this chapter. The chapter begins: "And when all the army heard that Holofernes was beheaded, courage and counsel fled from them, and being seized with…" It concludes: "And all the people rejoiced, with the women, and virgins, and young men, playing on instruments and harps. " Read against its original backdrop, Judith is a deuterocanonical account of a courageous widow who saves Israel by beheading the invading general Holofernes. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Judith around 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 15 presents a concrete episode in the history of courage, faith, and God's deliverance. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And when all the army heard that Holofernes was beheaded, courage and counsel fled from them, and being seized with trembling and fear they thought only to…" The passage repeatedly touches on courage in the face of fear.

Catholic exegesis reads Judith 15 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Judith prefigures Mary, who crushes the serpent's head (CIC 489). St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2559).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Holofernes2 mentionsJudith2 mentions

Reflection for Today

Judith Chapter 15 belongs to the Old Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. Judith prefigures Mary, who crushes the serpent's head (CIC 489). Here the believer is invited to ponder worship as the heart of the Christian life.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 854) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Judith Chapter 15 about?

Judith 15 contains 15 verses. It opens with "And when all the army heard that Holofernes was beheaded, courage and counsel fled from them, and being seized with…" and closes with "And all the people rejoiced, with the women, and virgins, and young men, playing on instruments and harps. ". The book as a whole is edifying narrative (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Judith 15?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And when all the army heard that Holofernes was beheaded, courage and counsel fled from them, and being seized with trembling and fear they thought only to save themselves by…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Judith Chapter 15?

This chapter mentions Holofernes, Judith.

Who wrote Judith and when?

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

Deepen your understanding with these related articles