Translation commentary on Judith 13:6

Revised Standard Version begins a new paragraph at the end of Judith’s prayer. If translators feel this is natural in their language, they should follow Revised Standard Version rather than Good News Translation. So far in this scene there has been only one small movement: Judith has risen to a standing position. Now she moves again. She goes to the bedpost (if that is what it is) and takes down Holofernes’ sword. The reader is now for the first time beginning to get an idea of what might be about to happen, as the story of Jael and Sisera comes to mind (Jdg 4.17-22; 5.24-27).

She went up to the post at the end of the bed, above Holofernes’ head: “Bedpost” (Good News Translation) is probably an anachronism. It suggests a post of maybe two meters (several feet) at the head of the bed. The Greek does not indicate whether this post was at the head or the foot of the bed; in fact, it does not really even say it was part of the bed. It is called a “rod of the bed,” which could mean it was “near/at the bed.” It could have been a support for the canopy (10.21, though this is not the word used of the “posts” in 13.9) or even for the tent itself. On the other hand it could even be a horizontal rod. New English Bible understands it that way: “the bed-rail beside Holofernes’ head.” The Greek does not justify above Holofernes’ head; New Revised Standard Version reads more satisfactorily with “near Holofernes’ head”; also Contemporary English Version is better with “bedpost nearest Holofernes’ head.” Since Judith “goes to” the post to get the sword and then “approached” the bed (verse 7), we might understand the post and bed not to be connected. One would suspect, however, that a man in Holofernes’ position slept with his weapon where it could be easily reached.

Took down his sword that hung there is literally “took down his sword from it.” The sword probably had a straight blade; it was long enough for Judith to use as she did. Hung is not in the Greek text, but it can be implied from took down.

One can avoid the problem of identifying the post and its exact location with the following alternative translation model for the verse:

• She went over to the end of the bed where Holofernes’ sword was hanging, and took it down.

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.