With the beginning of a new chapter it will be helpful to connect this verse to the previous chapter; for example, “After Uzziah and the other leaders left Judith, she….”

Judith fell upon her face: This is a conscious act of submission to God. It is not an accident nor is she being struck down by a revelation from God. Good News Translation‘s “bowed down with her face to the floor” (similarly Contemporary English Version) will sound strange in some languages, as it gives the impression that she was a gymnast who could bow at the waist with her head touching the floor. In such cases “lay prostrate [or, flat, facing down] on the floor” will be better. Contemporary English Version is mistaken in having her “bowed with her face to the ground” rather than the “floor” of the roof, for 10.1-2 shows that she was on the roof, probably in the small shelter.

Put ashes on her head, and uncovered the sackcloth she was wearing: The ashes on her head as well as the wearing of the sackcloth were symbolic acts of grief or distress (see 4.11). The text says that she uncovered the sackcloth she was wearing. This makes it sound as if she is wearing the sackcloth under her usual clothes. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version are very specific about this (compare 2 Kgs 6.30). There are difficulties in reconciling this verse with the description in 10.3, where Judith seems to wear the sackcloth over her clothes (see the note on 8.5). It is more likely that the sackcloth was worn under her other clothes, even though the author is not too clear about this. The two events of putting ashes on her head and exposing the sackcloth would have preceded her bowing before the Lord, so the first half of the verse may be rendered:

• Then Judith put ashes on her head and opened her robe to reveal the sackcloth she was wearing under her clothes. She then prostrated herself with her face to the floor.

At the very time when that evening’s incense was being offered …: The reference to the evening offering of incense at the temple (Exo 30.8; Psa 141.2) emphasizes the holiness of Judith’s act. In a number of languages this must be translated in the active voice; for example, “It was early evening, the time that they offered incense on the altar.” In cultures where incense is unknown, one may say “sweet smelling herbs.” Incense was being offered may be expressed “they were burning incense [or, sweet smelling herbs] on the altar.” For a comment on the translation of incense, see Tob 6.16.

Judith cried out to the Lord with a loud voice, and said may be rendered “Judith prayed to the Lord in a loud voice.” Cried out and said refer to the same action. For Lord see Tob 3.2.

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.