Chapter Three

1–5. An embassy of the frightened inhabitants of the coastal country to Holofernes with expressions of submission. 6–10. The arrival of Holofernes in the lands adjacent to Judea and the introduction of the cult of Nebuchadnezzar in them.

Judith 3:1. And they sent messengers to him with words of peace, saying: Judith 3:2. Behold, we the servants of Nebuchadnezzar the great king lie before you: use us as it shall please you. Judith 3:3. Behold, our villages, and all our country is before you; all things that are in them, and our fields with their fruits, and our flocks and herds, and all the tents of our dwelling: do with them as it shall please you. Judith 3:4. Behold our cities and the dwellers in them are your servants: come and deal with them as it shall please you. 1–4. “Deal (with us and all our possessions) as it shall please you!” – in a placatory sense, with a view to arousing compassion. And indeed, in the description of Holofernes’ actions in the coastal country there are not such terrible details as those given above, in Chapter II, verses 26–27. It appears that Holofernes limited himself here only to destroying the former worship of the coastal dwellers and imposing on them a new god – Nebuchadnezzar, which must have inspired fear above all in neighboring Israel, who feared the same fate for themselves.

Judith 3:5. So the men came to Holofernes, and delivered all these words to him. Judith 3:6. Then he came down to the sea coast with his army, and set garrisons in the fortified cities, and took out of them chosen men for allies to himself. Judith 3:7. And they and all the country round about them received him with garlands, with dances and with timbrels. 5–7. While in other nations Holofernes “smote” even “all their young men with the edge of the sword,” toward the coastal dwellers even here he appeared to be more humane, allowing himself to supplement his army with them. These coastal dwellers might have disposed Holofernes toward this humanity, and by their appealing attitude, receiving him everywhere with garlands, with dances and with timbrels.

Judith 3:8. Nevertheless he destroyed all their sanctuaries, and cut down their groves: for he was given commandment to destroy all the gods of the earth, that all nations should worship Nabuchodonosor only, and that all their tongues and tribes should call upon him as god. 8. “Groves” – with trees consecrated to Astarte (2 Chr 14:2).

Judith 3:9. And he came to Esdraelon near to Dothaim, which is beside the great ridge of Judea, 9. “Near to Dothaim.” Instead of “Dothaim” (Dotaia) – it stands in other places (Jdt 4:6), Hebrew ??? (Gen 37:17; 2 Kgs 6:13).

Judith 3:10. And he pitched his tents between Geba and the city of Scythopolis, and he remained there a whole month, that he might gather together all the baggage of his army. 10. “Between Geba” – Gaibai – Gebal, Gabai – corrupted Hebrew ??? – a mountain chain and village. “The city of Scythopolis” – Scythopolis, ancient Hebrew ???.