Judith 11:9 is part of a dialogue where Judith is speaking to Holofernes, the Assyrian general besieging the city of Bethulia. She's cleverly manipulating him with flattery and misinformation. Let's break down the verse:
"And now as concerning the matter which Achior spoke in your council...": This refers to the speech Achior, an Ammonite leader and advisor to Holofernes, gave earlier (Judith 5). Achior warned Holofernes against attacking the Israelites if they were righteous, explaining their history of divine protection. This angered the Assyrians, and they bound Achior and left him near Bethulia.
"...we have heard his words;...": Judith is acknowledging that the people of Bethulia are aware of Achior's warning.
"...for the men of Bethulia saved him,...": This is true. After being abandoned by the Assyrians, Achior was found by the Israelites and brought into Bethulia.
"...and he declared to them all that he had spoken before you.": This means Achior repeated his warning about the Israelites' potential invincibility if they were righteous to the people of Bethulia.
In essence, Judith is telling Holofernes that the people of Bethulia know what Achior said and the warning he gave about the Israelites' God.
Significance in context:
Judith's statement is significant because it sets the stage for her deception. By acknowledging Achior's warning, she gains Holofernes' trust, making her seem more credible. She then uses this trust to convince Holofernes that the Israelites have sinned against their God and will therefore lose divine protection, making them vulnerable to attack. This is a crucial part of her plan to infiltrate the Assyrian camp and assassinate Holofernes, ultimately saving her people.
Judith 11:9 is part of a dialogue where Judith is speaking to Holofernes, the Assyrian general besieging the city of Bethulia. She's cleverly manipulating him with flattery and misinformation. Let's break down the verse:
"And now as concerning the matter which Achior spoke in your council...": This refers to the speech Achior, an Ammonite leader and advisor to Holofernes, gave earlier (Judith 5). Achior warned Holofernes against attacking the Israelites if they were righteous, explaining their history of divine protection. This angered the Assyrians, and they bound Achior and left him near Bethulia.
"...we have heard his words;...": Judith is acknowledging that the people of Bethulia are aware of Achior's warning.
"...for the men of Bethulia saved him,...": This is true. After being abandoned by the Assyrians, Achior was found by the Israelites and brought into Bethulia.
"...and he declared to them all that he had spoken before you.": This means Achior repeated his warning about the Israelites' potential invincibility if they were righteous to the people of Bethulia.
In essence, Judith is telling Holofernes that the people of Bethulia know what Achior said and the warning he gave about the Israelites' God.
Significance in context:
Judith's statement is significant because it sets the stage for her deception. By acknowledging Achior's warning, she gains Holofernes' trust, making her seem more credible. She then uses this trust to convince Holofernes that the Israelites have sinned against their God and will therefore lose divine protection, making them vulnerable to attack. This is a crucial part of her plan to infiltrate the Assyrian camp and assassinate Holofernes, ultimately saving her people.
