Sacrificing Judith
“Judith … Isn’t she the one who cut off that general’s head?” is a common reaction when the name of this intriguing woman is mentioned. In order to save her hometown Bethulia, Jerusalem, and ultimately Israel as a whole from the threat of the advancing Assyrian army, the widow Judith enters the enem...
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| Published in | Sacrifice in Modernity: Community, Ritual, Identity p. 201 |
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| Main Author | |
| Format | Book Chapter |
| Language | English |
| Published |
BRILL
07.10.2016
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| Online Access | Get full text |
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| Summary: | “Judith … Isn’t she the one who cut off that general’s head?” is a common reaction when the name of this intriguing woman is mentioned. In order to save her hometown Bethulia, Jerusalem, and ultimately Israel as a whole from the threat of the advancing Assyrian army, the widow Judith enters the enemy camp, beguiles all the men present – including the captain, Holofernes – and eventually decapitates the latter as he lies on his bed, completely intoxicated. Back in Bethulia, she orders the Israelites to rout the stunned Assyrians and loot their camp. The final scene depicts Judith as |
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| ISBN: | 9004332065 9789004332065 |
| DOI: | 10.1163/j.ctv2gjwtb8.15 |