This verse is from the Book of Judith, specifically chapter 12, verse 6. It's a crucial moment in Judith's deception of Holofernes. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: Judith, a beautiful and devout Jewish widow, has entered the Assyrian camp of Holofernes, the general besieging her city, Bethulia. She has convinced him that she fled her people because she believes they are doomed and that God will lead her to reveal the Assyrian's best strategy to conquer them.
"and sent to Holofernes": This means Judith sent a message to Holofernes.
"saying, “Let my lord now command that they allow your servant to go out to pray.”": This is the content of the message.
"Let my lord now command": A polite and deferential way of addressing a superior (Holofernes). She uses "my lord" to flatter him.
"that they allow your servant to go out to pray": This is the core request. Judith wants permission to leave the camp to pray to God. Note that she refers to herself as "your servant" to further emphasize her submission and gain his trust.
What's really going on:
Strategic Deception: Judith's request to pray is part of her plan to gain Holofernes' trust and eventually kill him. She pretends to be a pious woman who needs to perform her religious duties.
Building Trust: By granting her this seemingly harmless request, Holofernes will likely perceive her as harmless and sincere in her purported desire to help him. This will make him more susceptible to her later schemes.
Creating Opportunity: Leaving the camp under the guise of prayer will provide Judith with an opportunity to scout the surroundings and potentially communicate with her people. It also allows her to establish a routine that Holofernes' guards will become accustomed to, making it easier for her to eventually carry out her plan.
Irony: The irony is that she's actually praying to God for the destruction of Holofernes and his army, not for their victory as Holofernes might assume.
In summary, this verse describes Judith's calculated request to Holofernes, seeking permission to leave the Assyrian camp under the pretense of prayer, as part of her deceptive strategy to gain his trust and ultimately save her people.
This verse is from the Book of Judith, specifically chapter 12, verse 6. It's a crucial moment in Judith's deception of Holofernes. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: Judith, a beautiful and devout Jewish widow, has entered the Assyrian camp of Holofernes, the general besieging her city, Bethulia. She has convinced him that she fled her people because she believes they are doomed and that God will lead her to reveal the Assyrian's best strategy to conquer them.
"and sent to Holofernes": This means Judith sent a message to Holofernes.
"saying, “Let my lord now command that they allow your servant to go out to pray.”": This is the content of the message.
"Let my lord now command": A polite and deferential way of addressing a superior (Holofernes). She uses "my lord" to flatter him.
"that they allow your servant to go out to pray": This is the core request. Judith wants permission to leave the camp to pray to God. Note that she refers to herself as "your servant" to further emphasize her submission and gain his trust.
What's really going on:
Strategic Deception: Judith's request to pray is part of her plan to gain Holofernes' trust and eventually kill him. She pretends to be a pious woman who needs to perform her religious duties.
Building Trust: By granting her this seemingly harmless request, Holofernes will likely perceive her as harmless and sincere in her purported desire to help him. This will make him more susceptible to her later schemes.
Creating Opportunity: Leaving the camp under the guise of prayer will provide Judith with an opportunity to scout the surroundings and potentially communicate with her people. It also allows her to establish a routine that Holofernes' guards will become accustomed to, making it easier for her to eventually carry out her plan.
Irony: The irony is that she's actually praying to God for the destruction of Holofernes and his army, not for their victory as Holofernes might assume.
In summary, this verse describes Judith's calculated request to Holofernes, seeking permission to leave the Assyrian camp under the pretense of prayer, as part of her deceptive strategy to gain his trust and ultimately save her people.
