Judith 15:5 - But wnen the children of Israel heard, they all fell upon them with one accord, and struck them to Chobai. Yes, and in like manner also they of Jerusalem and of all the hill country came (for men had told them about what happened in their enemies’ camp), and those who were in Gilead and in Galilee fell upon their flank with a great slaughter, until they were past Damascus and its borders.

Generated Verse: Judith 15:5

What does "Judith 15:5" mean?


This verse from Judith 15:5 describes the aftermath of Judith's daring act of assassinating Holofernes, the Assyrian general. Let's break it down:

"But when the children of Israel heard, they all fell upon them with one accord, and struck them to Chobai." This means that when the Israelites heard about Holofernes' death, they launched a coordinated attack against the leaderless and demoralized Assyrian army. They pursued them as far as Chobai, a location mentioned elsewhere in the Book of Judith. "With one accord" emphasizes the unity and determination of the Israelites.

"Yes, and in like manner also they of Jerusalem and of all the hill country came (for men had told them about what happened in their enemies’ camp)" Word spread quickly to Jerusalem and the surrounding hill country. They were informed of the chaos and vulnerability of the Assyrian camp, prompting them to join the attack.

"and those who were in Gilead and in Galilee fell upon their flank with a great slaughter, until they were past Damascus and its borders." Reinforcements from Gilead (east of the Jordan River) and Galilee (northern Israel) arrived and attacked the Assyrians on their flanks, causing a massive number of casualties. The pursuit continued until the Assyrians were driven beyond Damascus, indicating a significant retreat and defeat.

In essence, the verse describes a decisive victory for the Israelites, achieved through a coordinated and enthusiastic response to Judith's act of courage. The Assyrian army, thrown into disarray by the death of their general, was routed and pursued across a wide geographical area. The verse highlights the importance of unity, communication, and opportunism in achieving military success. It emphasizes that the news of Holofernes' death galvanized the Israelites and allowed them to capitalize on the enemy's weakness.