Judith – Chapter 4

Old Testament • 17 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Then the children of Israel, who dwelt in the land of Juda, hearing these things, were exceedingly afraid of him." — so begins Judith 4. Moses stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 17 verses, two threads run through the text: prayer 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.

1Then the children of Israel, who dwelt in the land of Juda, hearing these things, were exceedingly afraid of him.

2Dread and horror seized upon their minds, lest he should do the same to Jerusalem and to the temple of the Lord, that he had done to other cities and their temples.

3And they sent into all Samaria round about, as far as Jericho, and seized upon all the tops of the mountains:

4And they compassed their towns with walls and gathered together corn for provision for war.

5And Eliachim the priest wrote to all that were over against Esdrelon, which faceth the great plain near Dothain, and to all by whom there might be a passage of way,

6that they should take possession of the ascents of the mountains, by which there might be any way to Jerusalem, and should keep watch where the way was narrow between the mountains.

7And the children of Israel did as the priests of the Lord Eliachim had appointed them.

8And all the people cried to the Lord with great earnestness, and they humbled their souls in fastings, and prayers, both they and their wives.

9And the priests put on haircloths, and they caused the little children to lie prostrate before the temple of the Lord, and the altar of the Lord they covered with haircloth.

10And they cried to the Lord the God of Israel with one accord, that their children might not be made a prey, and their wives carried off, and their cities destroyed, and their holy things profaned, and that they might not be made a reproach to the Gentiles.

11Then Eliachim the high priest of the Lord went about all Israel and spoke to them,

12Saying: Know ye that the Lord will hear your prayers, if you continue with perseverance in fastings and prayers in the sight of the Lord.

13Remember Moses the servant of the Lord overcame Amalec that trusted in his own strength, and in his power, and in his army, and in his shields, and in his chariots, and in his horsemen, not by fighting with the sword, but by holy prayers:

14So all the enemies of Israel be, if you persevere in this work which you have begun.

15So they being moved by this exhortation of his, prayed to the Lord, and continued in the sight of the Lord.

16So that even they who offered the holocausts to the Lord, offered the sacrifices to the Lord girded with haircloths, and with ashes upon their head.

17And they all begged of God with all their heart, that he would visit his people Israel.

Important Verses in Judith 4

“Then the children of Israel, who dwelt in the land of Juda, hearing these things, were exceedingly afraid of him.”

Judith 4:1

“And the children of Israel did as the priests of the Lord Eliachim had appointed them.”

Judith 4:7

“And they cried to the Lord the God of Israel with one accord, that their children might not be made a prey, and their wives carried off, and their cities destroyed, and their holy things profaned, and that they might not be made a reproach to the Gentiles.”

Judith 4:10

“And they all begged of God with all their heart, that he would visit his people Israel. ”

Judith 4:17

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Judith was written with israel under foreign oppression, called to courage and prayer in view. Chapter 4 of 16 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 17 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Moses, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "Then the children of Israel, who dwelt in the land of Juda, hearing these things, were exceedingly afraid of him." The final verse reads: "And they all begged of God with all their heart, that he would visit his people Israel. " The wider setting of Judith is this: Judith is a deuterocanonical account of a courageous widow who saves Israel by beheading the invading general Holofernes. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: 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

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within courage, faith, and God's deliverance. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Then the children of Israel, who dwelt in the land of Juda, hearing these things, were exceedingly afraid of him." The passage repeatedly touches on prayer and petition to God.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1604). Here, Judith prefigures Mary, who crushes the serpent's head (CIC 489). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize prayer and petition to God as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.
  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

People in This Chapter

Moses1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Judith Chapter 4 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Leo the Great and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Judith prefigures Mary, who crushes the serpent's head (CIC 489). The passage calls believers to grasp that God uses the weak to defeat the strong.

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 2215) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Judith Chapter 4 about?

Judith 4 contains 17 verses. It opens with "Then the children of Israel, who dwelt in the land of Juda, hearing these things, were exceedingly afraid of him." and closes with "And they all begged of God with all their heart, that he would visit his people Israel. ". The book as a whole is edifying narrative (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Judith 4?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Then the children of Israel, who dwelt in the land of Juda, hearing these things, were exceedingly afraid of him." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Judith Chapter 4?

This chapter mentions Moses.

Who wrote Judith and when?

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

Related Chapters

2 Chronicles 31Shares people and themes with this chapterNehemiah 1Shares people and themes with this chapterExodus 31Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏The Our Father🙏Morning Offering🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

Deepen your understanding with these related articles

How to Pray

Hope Prayer: Catholic Faith Trust in God During Difficult Times

10 min readRead article
How to Pray

How to Experience God's Presence Through Faith-Filled Prayer

7 min readRead article
How to Pray

Prayer for Trusting God in Times of Uncertainty

7 min readRead article
Explore All Articles