Bible Dictionary
Judith, The Book Of
The Book of Judith is an inter-testamental work describing a courageous Jewish widow who delivers her people by killing Holofernes and encouraging resistance to their enemies. It belongs to the Apocrypha.
Definition
The Book of Judith is an inter-testamental book belonging to the Apocrypha. It presents a courageous Jewish widow who delivers her people from an assault led by Holofernes, the general of Nebuchadnezzar, by cutting off his head and encouraging the resistance that brings about the enemy’s defeat.
Historical Background
The supplied material regards the work as one of the earliest specimens of historical fiction and places its authorship in the Maccabean period, approximately 175–135 B.C. It reflects the spirit and circumstances of that period.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
one of the books of the Apocrypha, belongs to the earliest specimens of historical fiction. As to its authorship it belongs to the Maccabean period, B.C. 175-135, which it reflects not only in its general spirit, but even in its smaller traits.