Book of Judith Summary – The Woman Who Struck Down a King

Book of Judith Summary – The Woman Who Struck Down a King

Judith is one of the most fascinating and controversial figures in the Bible—and yet many Protestant readers have never heard of her. Why? Because Judith is one of the books included in the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament used by Jesus, the apostles, and the early Church for nearly two millennia—but later excluded from many modern Protestant Bibles.

This book tells the thrilling story of a courageous widow who, in faith and boldness, defeats the invading Assyrian general Holofernes. The account is packed with military tension, religious devotion, and one of the Bible’s most daring acts of espionage—ending with a decapitation that would make any action film jealous.

But Judith isn’t just a story about a woman with guts. It’s a theological drama about trusting God when all seems lost.

The Bible of the Early Church

The Book of Judith was included in every early Christian Bible. It is found in the Septuagint (LXX)—the Greek Old Testament frequently quoted in the New Testament—and was used by early Church Fathers like Jerome, Augustine, and Origen. It was read and respected as Scripture for over 1,800 years. Even the original 1611 King James Bible included Judith in its Old Testament section.

Modern Protestant Bibles often exclude it due to its absence in the Masoretic Text, a Hebrew collection finalized by Jewish scribes centuries after Christ. But the early Church didn’t use the Masoretic Text—they used the Greek Septuagint, which included Judith as part of their inspired canon.

The rejection of Judith is a redaction—not an addition.

Etymology

The name Judith (Hebrew: יְהוּדִית, Yehudit) means “Jewess” or “praised woman.” The name itself symbolizes the Jewish people through this courageous female figure who stands as a national deliverer, much like Deborah and Esther.

Chapter Movements and Key Events

Chapters 1–4: The Threat from Assyria

King Nebuchadnezzar of Assyria sends his top general, Holofernes, to punish nations that refuse to ally with him. The Israelites, warned of the danger, begin fasting, praying, and preparing for siege.

“Then the Israelites, every man, woman, and child, who lived in Jerusalem, fell down and worshiped before the temple and put ashes on their heads.” (Judith 4:11, Septuagint)

Chapters 5–7: Siege and Desperation

Holofernes advances to Bethulia, a small fortified city guarding the way to Jerusalem. The Assyrian forces cut off the water supply, and the people begin to despair. Leadership falters, and faith begins to break.

Chapters 8–10: Enter Judith

Judith, a wealthy widow known for her piety, chastity, and wisdom, rebukes the elders for testing God. She devises a plan to save Israel through subversion and beauty.

“Do not try to bind the purposes of the Lord our God. God is not like a human being, to be threatened or commanded.” (Judith 8:16, Septuagint)

Chapters 11–13: The Assassination

Judith infiltrates Holofernes’ camp, pretends to defect, and gains his trust. After a feast, Holofernes falls into a drunken sleep. Judith prays, takes his sword, and beheads him in his tent.

“She took hold of the hair of his head and said, ‘Strengthen me this day, O Lord God of Israel!’ And she struck his neck twice with all her might and cut off his head.” (Judith 13:7–8, Septuagint)

Chapters 14–16: Victory and Worship

With the enemy leader dead, Israel routs the confused Assyrian army. Judith returns as a hero. The people rejoice, and she sings a long psalm-like hymn to the Lord.

“The Lord Almighty has foiled them by the hand of a woman.” (Judith 16:5, Septuagint)

Judith lives in honor and peace for many years, leaving a legacy of faith and courage.

Conclusion and Bridge to Christ

Judith stands as a deliverer in the darkest hour, a righteous widow who trusted God when men faltered. She’s a proto-type of Mary, Deborah, and Esther—a woman of prophetic courage who crushes the enemy's head.

Though not quoted directly in the New Testament, her legacy echoes through the story of Mary in Luke 1, who is also praised by women and sings a song of victory. Like Judith, Mary is the vessel through whom God brings deliverance to His people, not with a sword—but with the Word made flesh.

Judith’s decapitation of Holofernes also foreshadows Jesus' ultimate victory over the serpent, fulfilling Genesis 3:15.

How It Points to Jesus

• Faithful Deliverer: Judith delivers her people when no one else will—pointing to Christ as our ultimate deliverer when all seems lost (Romans 5:6–8, NLT).

• Crushing the Enemy’s Head: Judith’s act is a physical fulfillment of the promise that the “seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head” (Genesis 3:15, NLT), which is ultimately fulfilled by Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 2:14–15, NLT).

• Righteous Widow: Like Jesus who was rejected yet trusted in God’s timing (1 Peter 2:23, NLT), Judith waits for God’s deliverance and moves in obedience.

Application

• Stand when others won’t: Like Judith, Christians must be willing to take a stand when others lose heart.

• Trust God’s deliverance: Even when the odds seem impossible, God has a way of using the weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27, NLT).

• Boldness and Beauty of Holiness: Judith didn't rely on seduction but on faith, wisdom, and bold obedience—a model for godly courage in a compromising world.