Judith 12:13 - Bagoas went from the presence of Holofernes, and came in to her, and said, “Let this fair lady not fear to come to my lord, and to be honored in his presence, and to drink wine and be merry with us, and to be made this day as one of the daughters of the children of Asshur, which wait in the house of Nebuchadnezzar.”

Generated Verse: Judith 12:13

What does "Judith 12:13" mean?


This verse, Judith 12:13, describes Bagoas, a eunuch and officer in Holofernes's army, acting as an intermediary between Holofernes and Judith. Let's break down the meaning:

"Bagoas went from the presence of Holofernes, and came in to her...": Bagoas is acting on behalf of Holofernes. He has just been with Holofernes and is now approaching Judith.

"Let this fair lady not fear to come to my lord, and to be honored in his presence...": Bagoas is attempting to reassure Judith and encourage her to meet with Holofernes. He's emphasizing that she will be honored and treated with respect.

"...and to drink wine and be merry with us...": This suggests a convivial, festive atmosphere. Bagoas is painting a picture of a pleasant social gathering, meant to disarm Judith and make her feel comfortable. Drinking wine and being merry were common elements of banquets and celebrations.

"...and to be made this day as one of the daughters of the children of Asshur, which wait in the house of Nebuchadnezzar.”: This is the most complex part. This phrase is intended to flatter Judith by implying that she will be treated like royalty or a favored woman in Nebuchadnezzar's court. The "daughters of the children of Asshur" refers to women from Assyria (Asshur) who were part of Nebuchadnezzar's household, possibly concubines or women of high status. The phrase "wait in the house of Nebuchadnezzar" further suggests a position of honor and privilege.

In essence, Bagoas is using flattery and promises of honor and a good time to entice Judith to meet with Holofernes. He is trying to convince her that she will be treated with respect and given a high status within Holofernes's circle. This is part of Holofernes's seduction plan (although it's important to remember Judith's true intentions are to deceive and kill Holofernes). Bagoas is portrayed as a tool of Holofernes, carrying out his master's wishes.

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