Judith 4:11 - Every man and woman of Israel, and the little children, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, fell before the temple, and cast ashes upon their heads, and spread out their sackcloth before the Lord. They put sackcloth around the altar.

Generated Verse: Judith 4:11

What does "Judith 4:11" mean?


This verse from Judith 4:11 describes a scene of profound grief, repentance, and desperate supplication to God. Let's break down the elements:

"Every man and woman of Israel, and the little children, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem...": This emphasizes the universality of the response. The entire population, regardless of age or gender, is united in this act of humility and prayer. The inclusion of "little children" underscores the severity of the situation; their innocence is being presented as a plea to God's mercy.

"...fell before the temple...": Prostration is a physical demonstration of submission, reverence, and helplessness before God. They are humbling themselves, acknowledging their dependence on divine intervention.

"...and cast ashes upon their heads...": Ashes are a traditional symbol of mourning, repentance, and humiliation. It's a way of showing that they are willing to suffer and acknowledge their sinfulness.

"...and spread out their sackcloth before the Lord.": Sackcloth is a coarse, rough fabric typically worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, and self-abasement. Spreading it out before the Lord is a visual expression of their sorrow and desperation. It's like laying bare their suffering before God.

"They put sackcloth around the altar.": The altar is the most sacred place in the temple, the place of sacrifice and communion with God. Enshrouding it in sackcloth further emphasizes the depth of their grief and their plea for divine intervention. It's a symbolic way of connecting their suffering with the divine and asking for mercy.

In summary, the verse describes a scene of national crisis where the entire community of Israel, facing imminent danger, expresses their distress and repentance through traditional acts of mourning and supplication. They are humbling themselves before God, acknowledging their dependence on Him, and pleading for His mercy and intervention. The actions are meant to demonstrate their sincerity and move God to compassion.