Doors. Greek adds, "without," yet so that Judith could open them. (Calmet)

Verse 4

Drunk. Greek, "drowned in wine."

Verse 5

The. Greek, "her chamber." --- Watch. Greek adds, "her coming out, as on other days; for she had said she would go out to pray, and she had told this to Bagoas. And all had departed," &c. All these precautions were necessary. (Haydock)

Verse 6

Judith. She seems not to have disclosed her secret even to her companion, taking the whole upon herself. --- Lips. Greek, "in her heart." (Calmet) --- Yet the Jews generally use some words, (Haydock) thinking that prayer too cold, which is barely mental. (Grotius)

Verse 7

Raise up. If Bethulia had been taken, perhaps (Haydock) Jerusalem had also fallen. (Worthington)

Verse 8

Pillar. Greek kanoni, "the rule," (Calmet) or pole on which the arms were hung. (Hesychius) --- Sword, (acinace) used by the Persians, (Menochius) and shorter than the Greek or Roman sword. (Calmet) --- If she had not been inspired by God to act thus, like Aod, (Judges iii.) it would be difficult to excuse her, in thus hurrying a many, in the most wretched state, before the judgment-seat of God. (Haydock)

Verse 10

Canopy, to convince all that it was the head of Holofernes. (Menochius) --- Body, on the ground; (chap. xiv. 14.) perhaps to cut off the head more easily, (Calmet) and that it might appear more ghastly (Haydock) at the first entrance. (Tirinus)

Verse 11

While, having composed herself, (Haydock) and done every thing necessary to prevent detection. (Menochius)

Verse 13

Open. Greek repeats, "open ye now the gate; God, our God is with us, still to shew power in Israel, and strength against the enemies, as he hath done to-day." (Haydock)

Verse 14

That. Greek, "they hastened to descend to the gate of their city, and called," &c.

Verse 15

Had now. Greek, "it was a paradox to them that she should come, and they opened the gate, and received them."

Verse 16

And she. Greek, "said to them with a loud voice: Praise God, praise, yea praise God, because he hath not withdrawn his mercy from the house of Israel, but hath destroyed our enemies by my hand this night." (Haydock)

Verse 19

Drunkenness. "The fasting of one woman overthrew an innumerable host of drunkards. (St. Ambrose, de jej. ix.) (Worthington)

Verse 20

CHAPTER XIII.

And abiding. Greek, "for my face has deluded him to his ruin, and he has not committed sin with me, for defilement and shame. And all the people were much amazed; and bowing down, they adored the Lord, and said, with one accord: Our God, thou art blessed, because this day thou hast brought the enemies of thy people to nought." (Haydock) --- Judith's guardian angel defended her; as Jacob's did him, Genesis xlviii. (Worthington)

Verse 23

Prince, in that town, though Manasses was king. (Menochius) --- Greek, "Ozias said."

Verse 25

Praise. Greek, "hope." --- For that. Greek, "and may God make these things turn to thy eternal exaltation, to regard thee for good; because thou hast not." --- Ruin. Greek adds, "walking aright in," &c. (Haydock)

Verse 27

And. This is related after ver. 5, in the following chapter, in Greek, Syriac, and the old Vulgate, (Calmet) and indeed it seems to be there in its proper place. --- Head, or general. (Haydock)

Verse 29

Fear. Astonished (Menochius) at the instability of human things, and admiring how God had rescued him from the threatened danger.

Verse 30