After discussing Judith’s genealogy, the author describes Judith herself. It will be good to begin a new paragraph here, as do Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version.

Judith had lived at home as a widow: Widowhood is an important motif in the book of Judith. Obviously it would be awkward to have a married woman involved in the supposed seduction of Holofernes later in the book. When Judith makes her appeal to God in the next chapter, she emphasizes that she is a widow; see 9.4, 9. Compare this with Sir 35.14-15; see also Psa 68.5. God is the protector of widows. Further, Judith’s widowhood reflects the desperate situation of the city itself. The conquered city of Jerusalem is referred to as “widow” in Isa 54.4 and Lam 1.1. For this author Judith’s widowhood also is tied in with her piety. She is as devoted to Judaism as she was to her late husband. She is presented as an early example of the religious women. She is consciously devoted to living a religious life, even though it is not completely ascetic. She kept her considerable property during her life. Compare the prophet Anna in Luke 2.36-38. Nothing is said about Judith having children, nor does she marry her husband’s next of kin, as was her right, in order to have children. Instead, at her death she wills her property to her husband’s nearest kin (16.24).

For three years and four months: It may be significant that this totals 40 months. It recalls the Israelites 40 years in the wilderness. Moore points out that Bethulia was under seige for 40 days, but suggests that this may be coincidental. Maybe not.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Judith. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.