She put sandals on her feet: On her feet is certainly not necessary with sandals, though it is not particularly obtrusive. Sandals are soles, usually made from leather, and fastened to the feet with straps. They are used as shoes for walking. These are the common shoe-like objects in many modern cultures.

Her anklets and bracelets and rings, and her earrings and all her ornaments: Good News Translation is effective in moving “all her finest jewelry” to the head of the list, where the phrase then describes what this jewelry was. There are some small problems with the Good News Translation phrase, however. The intention of the Greek is probably to include by the final general term her other jewelry—that not mentioned in the list. New Revised Standard Version does well with “all her other jewelry.” Also, nothing in the Greek corresponds to “finest.” Further, the Greek noun really does not refer to “jewelry” as such, but to any kind of ornamentation or accessories. Pins and brooches might be included, but ornamental objects made of cloth, horn, or other material could be included also. “Jewelry” in English is about as good as any other word. Ornaments is general, but makes Judith look like a Christmas tree. If translators can find a more general word that is appropriate, it would serve the purpose better.

Anklets and bracelets describes the objects well. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version use “bracelets” for both. They describe them as being for the “wrists and ankles” for the very good reason that anklets is more often used in English to refer to a type of socks or hosiery. A translator working in a language with a familiar word for both objects has no problem.

It should be noted that “nose-ring” is just as possible as earring. The word in the Greek text is used in the Greek Old Testament for earring at Gen 35.4 and for a nose-ring at Gen 24.47. Some writers feel that our author has Isa 3.18-23 in mind, and nose-rings are mentioned there. In the Isaiah passage, however, the prophet describes a long list of items of feminine attire in negative terms. There is nothing negative about Judith’s use of them.

Made herself very beautiful, to entice the eyes of all men who might see her: There is a subtle difference in connotation between made herself very beautiful, to entice … and Good News Translation‘s “She made herself so beautiful that she was sure….” In Good News Translation Judith makes herself beautiful, and the result happens to be that she becomes sure to attract attention. In Revised Standard Version and most translations, she makes herself beautiful with the deliberate intention of attracting attention. This is a better understanding of the Greek. Contemporary English Version is good with “Judith made sure that she was beautiful enough to get the attention of every man who saw her,” or we may say “Judith made herself very beautiful so that every man who saw her would want [or, desire] her.”

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.