Judith 9:4 - and gave their wives for a prey, and their daughters to be captives, and all their spoils to be divided among your dear children; which were moved with zeal for you, and abhorred the pollution of their blood, and called upon you for aid. O God, O my God, hear me also who am a widow.
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What does "Judith 9:4" mean?
This verse from Judith 9:4 is a prayer delivered by Judith to God, appealing for strength and guidance before she undertakes a perilous mission to save her people. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"and gave their wives for a prey, and their daughters to be captives, and all their spoils to be divided among your dear children..."
This part refers to past victories achieved by the Israelites with God's help. Judith is reminding God of times when he delivered their enemies into their hands. "Wives for a prey" and "daughters to be captives" depicts the harsh realities of ancient warfare, where women were often taken as prizes and enslaved. "Spoils" refers to the captured goods and resources.
The phrase "your dear children" refers to the Israelites, emphasizing their special relationship with God.
"...which were moved with zeal for you, and abhorred the pollution of their blood, and called upon you for aid."
This describes the motivations and actions of the Israelites in those past victories. "Zeal for you" means they were passionate and devoted to God. "Abhorred the pollution of their blood" highlights their desire to maintain their religious and cultural purity, often threatened by intermarriage with foreign peoples or by being subjected to foreign religious practices. "Called upon you for aid" emphasizes their reliance on God's help and their belief in his power to deliver them.
"O God, O my God, hear me also who am a widow."
This is Judith's personal plea to God. She repeats "O God, O my God" to emphasize her earnestness and faith. By identifying herself as a widow, she highlights her vulnerable status and appeals to God's compassion and protection, as widows were often seen as particularly vulnerable in ancient societies. She is asking God to hear her prayer and grant her the strength and wisdom to succeed in her mission.
In summary, the verse is a prayer that serves several purposes:
1. It reminds God of past victories and his faithfulness to the Israelites. This serves as a foundation of hope and a reminder of God's power.
2. It emphasizes the righteousness of the Israelites and their devotion to God. This reinforces the idea that they are deserving of God's help.
3. It is a personal plea from Judith, highlighting her vulnerability and her trust in God. This establishes her as a sympathetic figure and sets the stage for her courageous actions.
The verse is significant because it sets the tone for the rest of the Book of Judith. It establishes Judith as a pious, courageous, and resourceful woman who is willing to risk her life to save her people. It also underscores the importance of faith, prayer, and obedience to God in overcoming adversity.
Judith 9:4 - and gave their wives for a prey, and their daughters to be captives, and all their spoils to be divided among your dear children; which were moved with zeal for you, and abhorred the pollution of their blood, and called upon you for aid. O God, O my God, hear me also who am a widow.
What does "Judith 9:4" mean?
This verse from Judith 9:4 is a prayer delivered by Judith to God, appealing for strength and guidance before she undertakes a perilous mission to save her people. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"and gave their wives for a prey, and their daughters to be captives, and all their spoils to be divided among your dear children..."
This part refers to past victories achieved by the Israelites with God's help. Judith is reminding God of times when he delivered their enemies into their hands. "Wives for a prey" and "daughters to be captives" depicts the harsh realities of ancient warfare, where women were often taken as prizes and enslaved. "Spoils" refers to the captured goods and resources.
The phrase "your dear children" refers to the Israelites, emphasizing their special relationship with God.
"...which were moved with zeal for you, and abhorred the pollution of their blood, and called upon you for aid."
This describes the motivations and actions of the Israelites in those past victories. "Zeal for you" means they were passionate and devoted to God. "Abhorred the pollution of their blood" highlights their desire to maintain their religious and cultural purity, often threatened by intermarriage with foreign peoples or by being subjected to foreign religious practices. "Called upon you for aid" emphasizes their reliance on God's help and their belief in his power to deliver them.
"O God, O my God, hear me also who am a widow."
This is Judith's personal plea to God. She repeats "O God, O my God" to emphasize her earnestness and faith. By identifying herself as a widow, she highlights her vulnerable status and appeals to God's compassion and protection, as widows were often seen as particularly vulnerable in ancient societies. She is asking God to hear her prayer and grant her the strength and wisdom to succeed in her mission.
In summary, the verse is a prayer that serves several purposes:
1. It reminds God of past victories and his faithfulness to the Israelites. This serves as a foundation of hope and a reminder of God's power.
2. It emphasizes the righteousness of the Israelites and their devotion to God. This reinforces the idea that they are deserving of God's help.
3. It is a personal plea from Judith, highlighting her vulnerability and her trust in God. This establishes her as a sympathetic figure and sets the stage for her courageous actions.
The verse is significant because it sets the tone for the rest of the Book of Judith. It establishes Judith as a pious, courageous, and resourceful woman who is willing to risk her life to save her people. It also underscores the importance of faith, prayer, and obedience to God in overcoming adversity.