This verse from Judith 6:5 is a harsh pronouncement against Achior, and it carries significant weight within the context of the Book of Judith. Let's break it down:
"But you, Achior, hireling of Ammon...": Achior is identified and singled out. The term "hireling of Ammon" is important. Ammon was a traditional enemy of Israel. Calling Achior a "hireling" suggests he is not loyal to Israel, but rather in the service of their enemies. This implies his pronouncements have a biased or malicious intent.
"...who have spoken these words in the day of your iniquity...": This refers to Achior's earlier speech (Judith 5) where he truthfully explained the history of the Israelites and their God, stating that they could only be defeated if they sinned against God. While truthful, in the eyes of Holofernes and his allies, this was considered treachery. The "day of your iniquity" is likely the day he made that speech, seen as an act of betrayal against Holofernes.
"...will see my face no more from this day...": "My face" here refers to Holofernes, the Assyrian general. This is a declaration that Achior will be banished and will no longer be in Holofernes' presence or enjoy his favor.
"...until I am avenged of the race of those that came out of Egypt.": This is the key point and the core of the curse. Holofernes states that Achior's exile will last until Holofernes has completely conquered the Israelites (the "race of those that came out of Egypt"). The implication is that Achior will remain in disgrace and isolation until the Israelites are utterly defeated and Holofernes achieves his goal.
In summary, the verse is a curse and a declaration of exile. Holofernes, angered by Achior's truthful (but unwelcome) assessment of the Israelites' power, banishes him from his presence. This banishment is indefinite, lasting until Holofernes has completely destroyed the Israelites. The verse highlights the conflict between loyalty to truth and loyalty to power, and foreshadows Achior's future as he gets tied to the fate of the people of Israel. He is in a lose-lose situation; his honesty has earned him Holofernes's wrath, yet his future is now tied to the people he has arguably betrayed.
This verse from Judith 6:5 is a harsh pronouncement against Achior, and it carries significant weight within the context of the Book of Judith. Let's break it down:
"But you, Achior, hireling of Ammon...": Achior is identified and singled out. The term "hireling of Ammon" is important. Ammon was a traditional enemy of Israel. Calling Achior a "hireling" suggests he is not loyal to Israel, but rather in the service of their enemies. This implies his pronouncements have a biased or malicious intent.
"...who have spoken these words in the day of your iniquity...": This refers to Achior's earlier speech (Judith 5) where he truthfully explained the history of the Israelites and their God, stating that they could only be defeated if they sinned against God. While truthful, in the eyes of Holofernes and his allies, this was considered treachery. The "day of your iniquity" is likely the day he made that speech, seen as an act of betrayal against Holofernes.
"...will see my face no more from this day...": "My face" here refers to Holofernes, the Assyrian general. This is a declaration that Achior will be banished and will no longer be in Holofernes' presence or enjoy his favor.
"...until I am avenged of the race of those that came out of Egypt.": This is the key point and the core of the curse. Holofernes states that Achior's exile will last until Holofernes has completely conquered the Israelites (the "race of those that came out of Egypt"). The implication is that Achior will remain in disgrace and isolation until the Israelites are utterly defeated and Holofernes achieves his goal.
In summary, the verse is a curse and a declaration of exile. Holofernes, angered by Achior's truthful (but unwelcome) assessment of the Israelites' power, banishes him from his presence. This banishment is indefinite, lasting until Holofernes has completely destroyed the Israelites. The verse highlights the conflict between loyalty to truth and loyalty to power, and foreshadows Achior's future as he gets tied to the fate of the people of Israel. He is in a lose-lose situation; his honesty has earned him Holofernes's wrath, yet his future is now tied to the people he has arguably betrayed.
