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"Judith: The Jewess" Text: Judith: 1-13

By Dr. Chuleepran Srisoontorn Persons

A Heroine similar to Deborah is introduced in the book of Judith, found in the Old Testament apocrypha. In this story a beautiful widow named Judith, of the town of Bethalia, saves her people during the siege by Nebudchadnezzer's general, who had cut off the water supply.

Judith, whose name literally means "the Jewess," dresses in her best array, foreshadowing already what was thought to be the culture's value of the women. She removed her displayed of sorrow over widowhood such as sackcloth and a widow's dress, replacing it with all the accoutraments of a joyful life. She bathed thoroughly, anointed herself with perfumes, dressed her hair in a turban and wore the dress she used to wear before her husband Manassah was killed. She did all within her powers to make herself attractive such that she could catch the eyes of anyone in the opposite sex.

Leaving Bethulia, she was intercepted by the Babylonians.Judith and her maid were shown into the general's quarters, all the men marveling at her beauty. She fell on her face before him, respectfully begging "Please listen favorably to what your slave has to say." Holofernes admired her greatly and invited her to a banquet, hoping to seduce her. As the other guests left, he collapsed drunk on his bed and she cut off his head. Returning to her city, she advises the people to attached the leaderless army which was supposedly fleeing in panic. The story ends with the Israelites looting the Assyrian camp. Judith being awarded the General's goods and she remaining a wealthy widow in the face of many suitors until her ripe old age of one hundred and five. It is fairly obvious from this account that Judith was exceptionally beautiful, independent and intelligent. It is equally obvious that she was above using herself as a sex object in a righteous cause and was likewise to use deviousness, deceit and servility in her dealings with the enemy of her people. In fact, her changing into her best clothes make the "Jewess" into an expression of the national values, which were also expressed in the heroines of unscrupulous actions in order to gain victory for her nation. She could therefore fully participate in her society with all the dignity and responsibilities which accompany that place.

In the Old Testament, in which women have been acknowledged as responding are not many, but are becoming more evident as the search continues for a suitable biblical past to infer our present. Deborah is a model of taking the initial step for women to challenge the oppression of people. She is the full participant, rather than the one who defers to men for action. She is able to take self-initiatives which lead to deliverance for her people and she exhibits the courage to stand by her decisions. The overriding message is that women make society change out of their own obedience of God and care for the nation - God's people. This model serves as a model for Thai and Asia women who feel oppression in their relationships in the family, society and faith community. Rather we are encouraged by this model, in spite of some of its weaknesses in presenting female character as focussed only on body and deceit, to become a full part of their relationships, particularly in the society and faith communities where women are highly discouraged.