Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

HOLOFERNES

(Gk. Olophérnēs)

The chief general of the army of Nebuchadnezzar, second in command only to the king (Jdt. 2:4). Holofernes is only known from the book of Judith, and if it was written during the Maccabean period, as many believe, then the character Holofernes may be based on Nicanor (1 Macc. 7:26-49), the Cappadocian prince Orofernes (159/8 b.c.e.) of Syria, or a combination of the two.

After gathering his officers, Holofernes installs a plan to attack Damascus (Jdt. 2:14-27) and eventually Palestine (3:9–4:15). He conquers the armies and towns of the regions and destroys the religious shrines and temples (Jdt. 3:8). When he comes to Israel, he summons the leaders of Moab and Ammon to plan his attack. Achior, the Ammonite leader, tells Holofernes of the history of Israel and her God, but Holofernes refuses to heed the warning. He leads his army to Bethulia, Judith’s hometown, and cuts off the water supply. With people collapsing inside the city, Judith leaves her home, befriends Holofernes, and tells him how to defeat the people of Bethulia. After a few days Holofernes becomes drunk while in the company of Judith, and she cuts off his head. Without the leadership of Holofernes his army is routed.

Marc A. Jolley

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

HOLOFERNES

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)