Judith 4:14 - And Joakim the high priest, and all the priests that stood before the Lord, and those who ministered to the Lord, had their loins dressed in sackcloth, and offered the continual burnt offering, the vows, and the free gifts of the people.

Generated Verse: Judith 4:14

What does "Judith 4:14" mean?


This verse from Judith 4:14 describes a scene of intense religious devotion and repentance in the face of impending danger. Let's break it down:

"And Joakim the high priest...": This identifies the leader of the religious community. The presence of the high priest emphasizes the solemnity and official nature of the actions being taken.

"...and all the priests that stood before the Lord, and those who ministered to the Lord...": This includes all the clergy involved in the daily Temple rituals. "Standing before the Lord" is a common phrase denoting service and reverence in God's presence. "Ministered to the Lord" simply means carrying out the religious duties.

"...had their loins dressed in sackcloth...": Sackcloth was a coarse, uncomfortable fabric worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, and humility. Wearing it around the "loins" (the waist or hips) was a symbolic act of humbling oneself before God. It's a physical manifestation of their sorrow and plea for divine intervention.

"...and offered the continual burnt offering, the vows, and the free gifts of the people.": This details the specific religious rituals they are performing.

"The continual burnt offering": This was a daily sacrifice made to God, representing ongoing atonement and dedication.
"The vows": These were special promises made to God, often involving sacrifices or other acts of devotion.
"The free gifts of the people": These were voluntary offerings brought by individuals to the Temple as a sign of gratitude or devotion.

In Summary:

The verse depicts a time of great crisis, where the people of Israel are facing a serious threat (implied in the surrounding context of the Book of Judith). In response, the religious leaders and priests are engaging in acts of deep penitence and fervent prayer. They are humbled and sorrowful (sackcloth), and they are diligently performing their regular religious duties, including the daily burnt offering and accepting the offerings of the people, as well as any vows that had been made. This combination of personal humility and continued ritual performance is meant to appease God and seek divine favor in their time of need. They are essentially pulling out all the stops, both personally and communally, to appeal to God for salvation.