Read & explore together
Judith's Instructions after Her Return
In Judith 14:1–4, Judith gives a set of precise instructions. These verses focus on sequence, timing and appearance, showing a plan to be carried out step by step.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
This passage is from Judith, a Catholic additional book. In these verses, Judith speaks to her kindred and tells them what to do next: display the head, wait for morning, arm the men, appoint a captain, move as though toward the watch of the children of Asshur, and then pursue if the enemy flees.
Judith 14:1–4Main takeaway
Judith 14:1–4 presents Judith’s ordered tactical instructions, not a second killing scene or a full battle report.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A public sign on the wallJudith first addresses her kindred and tells them to take the head and hang it on the battlement of the wall.
Explanation
Judith first addresses her kindred and tells them to take the head and hang it on the battlement of the wall. A battlement is part of the city wall, so this is meant to be visible. The verse gives the opening action of her plan.
02Wait for morning and prepareJudith then gives the timing: when morning appears and the sun comes up. At that point, each man is to take up weapons of war, and a captain is to be set over them.
Explanation
Judith then gives the timing: when morning appears and the sun comes up. At that point, each man is to take up weapons of war, and a captain is to be set over them. The plan includes both readiness and clear leadership.
03Act as though going downThe men are to go out of the city and act as though they would go down to the plain toward the watch of the children of Asshur.
Explanation
The men are to go out of the city and act as though they would go down to the plain toward the watch of the children of Asshur. Yet Judith also says, “you men shall not go down.” The wording shows a planned appearance, not actual descent.
04Fear, flight and pursuitJudith says the enemy leaders will be roused and run to Holofernes’ tent, but they will not find him.
Explanation
Judith says the enemy leaders will be roused and run to Holofernes’ tent, but they will not find him. Then fear will fall on them, and they will flee. After that, the men and all who inhabit every border of Israel are told to pursue and overthrow them as they go.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What is the first thing Judith tells her kindred to do?
Notice that the command about the battlement comes before the morning instructions.
02How does Judith 14:2 distinguish between appearance and action?
Look at the words “as though you would go down” and compare them with “you men shall not go down.”
03What sequence does Judith describe before the enemy flees?
Follow the order in the verse: the captains are roused, they go to Holofernes’ tent, they do not find him, fear falls on them, and then they flee.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Judith 14:1–4
1Judith said to them, “Hear me now, my kindred, and take this head, and hang it upon the battlement of your wall.
2It will be, so soon as the morning appears, and the sun comes up on the earth, you shall each take up his weapons of war, and every valiant man of you go out of the city. You shall set a captain over them, as though you would go down to the plain toward the watch of the children of Asshur; but you men shall not go down.
3These will take up their full armor, and shall go into their camp and rouse up the captains of the army of Asshur. They will run together to Holofernes’ tent. They won’t find him. Fear will fall upon them, and they will flee before your face.
4You men, and all that inhabit every border of Israel, shall pursue them and overthrow them as they go.