What is the Book of Judith?
Q: What is the Book of Judith?
A: The Book of Judith is a book that is part of the Bible. It was written in or near 100 b.c.e and is included in Bibles that follow the Catholic and Orthodox Canon. Protestants and Jews treat it as part of the apocrypha, not part of their official canon.
Q: Who is Holofernes?
A: Holofernes is an evil general who was invading Israel at the time when the Book of Judith was written. He had his army stationed outside the town of Bethulia, preventing its people from getting any water to drink.
Q: What does Judith do to stop Holofernes?
A: Judith tells the people of Bethulia not to give up hope, then she sneaks into Holofernes' camp and pretends to make friends with him. He invites her to a meal where he drinks much alcohol, then falls asleep - at which point she cuts off his head.
Q: When was the Book of Judith written?
A: The Book of Judith was written in or near 100 bce (before common era).
Q: Is it included in Protestant Bibles?
A: No, Protestants and Jews treat it as part of the apocrypha rather than being part of their official canon so it isn't included in Protestant Bibles.
Q: Where did this story take place?
A: This story took place in Israel during an invasion by an evil general named Holofernes who had his army stationed outside a town called Bethulia.
Q: How does Judith defeat Holofernes?
A: She pretends to make friends with him and invites him for a meal where he drinks much alcohol until he falls asleep - at which point she cuts off his head!
