Judith 14:4 - You men, and all that inhabit every coast of Israel, shall pursue them and overthrow them as they go.

Generated Verse: Judith 14:4

What does "Judith 14:4" mean?


This verse from Judith 14:4 is part of a call to action after Judith has successfully assassinated Holofernes, the Assyrian general besieging the Israelite city of Bethulia. Let's break it down:

"You men, and all that inhabit every coast of Israel..." This is an address to the entire male population of Israel, implying a universal call to arms. "Every coast" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the call, reaching every corner of the country.
"...shall pursue them..." This is a direct command to chase after the Assyrian army.
"...and overthrow them as they go." This means to defeat the Assyrians while they are fleeing. The assumption is that the death of Holofernes will cause the Assyrian army to panic and retreat. The Israelites are to capitalize on this disarray to inflict maximum damage.

In summary, the verse is a rousing call to all Israelite men to rise up, pursue the fleeing Assyrian army, and utterly defeat them in their retreat. It's a pivotal moment of encouragement and mobilization, relying on faith, courage, and Judith's daring act to secure victory. The phrase implies that the Israelite army's pursuit and attack should happen as the Assyrian army is retreating and thus vulnerable. It's a strategy that hopes to capitalize on the chaos and demoralization.