Judith 16:8 - “For she put off the apparel of her widowhood for the exaltation of those who were distressed in Israel. She anointed her face with ointment, bound her hair in a tiara, and took a linen garment to deceive him.
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What does "Judith 16:8" mean?
This verse from Judith 16:8 describes Judith's strategic act of dressing up to deceive Holofernes, the Assyrian general who was besieging her city. Let's break it down:
"For she put off the apparel of her widowhood for the exaltation of those who were distressed in Israel." This is the reason she is changing her appearance. As a widow, Judith would have worn plain, modest clothing to signify her mourning. By shedding these clothes, she is signaling that she is setting aside her personal grief to take action for the sake of her people. "Exaltation" refers to lifting up, rescuing, or bringing honor to the "distressed" Israelites.
"She anointed her face with ointment, bound her hair in a tiara, and took a linen garment to deceive him." This is a description of the specific changes she made.
"Anointed her face with ointment": This suggests she is using perfumed oil to make herself more attractive. Perfume and grooming were common in those times.
"Bound her hair in a tiara": A tiara is a headdress or crown, indicating that she is dressing in an attractive way. This is a departure from the plain appearance expected of a widow and signifies her intention to present herself as desirable.
"Took a linen garment": Linen was considered a fine fabric. This indicates she chose fine clothing.
"to deceive him": This explains the purpose of her actions. She is deliberately using her appearance to deceive Holofernes. The entire act is one of deception, meant to gain his trust and access to him.
In essence, the verse describes Judith's deliberate use of her beauty and charm as a weapon to save her people. She transformed herself from a grieving widow into a captivating woman with the explicit intention of deceiving the enemy and exploiting his lustful desires.
This verse is crucial for understanding Judith's character and the themes of the Book of Judith. She is a courageous and resourceful woman who uses her intelligence, faith, and even her feminine allure to achieve her goal. It's a story of courage and calculated risk for the greater good.
Judith 16:8 - “For she put off the apparel of her widowhood for the exaltation of those who were distressed in Israel. She anointed her face with ointment, bound her hair in a tiara, and took a linen garment to deceive him.
What does "Judith 16:8" mean?
This verse from Judith 16:8 describes Judith's strategic act of dressing up to deceive Holofernes, the Assyrian general who was besieging her city. Let's break it down:
"For she put off the apparel of her widowhood for the exaltation of those who were distressed in Israel." This is the reason she is changing her appearance. As a widow, Judith would have worn plain, modest clothing to signify her mourning. By shedding these clothes, she is signaling that she is setting aside her personal grief to take action for the sake of her people. "Exaltation" refers to lifting up, rescuing, or bringing honor to the "distressed" Israelites.
"She anointed her face with ointment, bound her hair in a tiara, and took a linen garment to deceive him." This is a description of the specific changes she made.
"Anointed her face with ointment": This suggests she is using perfumed oil to make herself more attractive. Perfume and grooming were common in those times.
"Bound her hair in a tiara": A tiara is a headdress or crown, indicating that she is dressing in an attractive way. This is a departure from the plain appearance expected of a widow and signifies her intention to present herself as desirable.
"Took a linen garment": Linen was considered a fine fabric. This indicates she chose fine clothing.
"to deceive him": This explains the purpose of her actions. She is deliberately using her appearance to deceive Holofernes. The entire act is one of deception, meant to gain his trust and access to him.
In essence, the verse describes Judith's deliberate use of her beauty and charm as a weapon to save her people. She transformed herself from a grieving widow into a captivating woman with the explicit intention of deceiving the enemy and exploiting his lustful desires.
This verse is crucial for understanding Judith's character and the themes of the Book of Judith. She is a courageous and resourceful woman who uses her intelligence, faith, and even her feminine allure to achieve her goal. It's a story of courage and calculated risk for the greater good.