Judith 11:12 - Since their food failed them, and all their water was scant, they took counsel to lay hands upon their cattle, and determined to consume all those things which God charged them by his laws that they should not eat.
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What does "Judith 11:12" mean?
This verse from Judith 11:12 describes a desperate situation within the city of Bethulia, which is under siege by the Assyrian army. Let's break down what it means:
"Since their food failed them, and all their water was scant..." - This highlights the severity of the siege. The people of Bethulia are running out of supplies, both food and water are becoming scarce. They are on the verge of starvation and dehydration.
"they took counsel to lay hands upon their cattle..." - This means they held a council to discuss what to do. "Lay hands upon their cattle" is a euphemism for slaughtering their animals. They are considering killing their livestock, which represents a significant loss of resources and future food source. This action highlights the direness of their predicament, as livestock would normally be preserved for milk, labor, and breeding.
"and determined to consume all those things which God charged them by his laws that they should not eat." - This is the most significant and shocking part of the verse. The people are considering breaking religious law (specifically, the dietary laws of Judaism, known as kashrut) in order to survive. This indicates that the desperation is so extreme that they are willing to compromise their faith in order to stay alive. It signifies a moral crisis brought about by their physical hardship. The "things which God charged them not to eat" could refer to various forbidden foods, depending on the interpretation (e.g., unclean animals like pigs, or blood).
In essence, the verse depicts a city on the brink of collapse, where the inhabitants are facing starvation and are considering drastic, even religiously forbidden, measures to survive. This sets the stage for Judith's intervention, as she presents herself as someone who can save them from this horrifying fate. The verse emphasizes the vulnerability of the Jewish people and the perceived abandonment by God which lead to the desperation.
Judith 11:12 - Since their food failed them, and all their water was scant, they took counsel to lay hands upon their cattle, and determined to consume all those things which God charged them by his laws that they should not eat.
What does "Judith 11:12" mean?
This verse from Judith 11:12 describes a desperate situation within the city of Bethulia, which is under siege by the Assyrian army. Let's break down what it means:
"Since their food failed them, and all their water was scant..." - This highlights the severity of the siege. The people of Bethulia are running out of supplies, both food and water are becoming scarce. They are on the verge of starvation and dehydration.
"they took counsel to lay hands upon their cattle..." - This means they held a council to discuss what to do. "Lay hands upon their cattle" is a euphemism for slaughtering their animals. They are considering killing their livestock, which represents a significant loss of resources and future food source. This action highlights the direness of their predicament, as livestock would normally be preserved for milk, labor, and breeding.
"and determined to consume all those things which God charged them by his laws that they should not eat." - This is the most significant and shocking part of the verse. The people are considering breaking religious law (specifically, the dietary laws of Judaism, known as kashrut) in order to survive. This indicates that the desperation is so extreme that they are willing to compromise their faith in order to stay alive. It signifies a moral crisis brought about by their physical hardship. The "things which God charged them not to eat" could refer to various forbidden foods, depending on the interpretation (e.g., unclean animals like pigs, or blood).
In essence, the verse depicts a city on the brink of collapse, where the inhabitants are facing starvation and are considering drastic, even religiously forbidden, measures to survive. This sets the stage for Judith's intervention, as she presents herself as someone who can save them from this horrifying fate. The verse emphasizes the vulnerability of the Jewish people and the perceived abandonment by God which lead to the desperation.