In the book of Judith he is the chief captain of the army of Nabuchodonosor, 'king of the Assyrians', sent to punish the western nations and make them worship the king alone (Judith 2:4-6; 3:8). He is known only from this book.

Updated on November 2, 2026

Holofernes Assyrian General

Q: How did Holofernes die?

After a banquet where he drank more wine than ever, he lay alone and drunk in his tent. Judith took his sword from the bedpost and struck his neck twice, cutting off his head (Judith 13:6-8), which she carried back to Bethulia in her food bag.

Q: Was Holofernes a historical figure?

No general of that name is known outside the book. Some historians have pointed to a Persian officer called Orophernes or Holophernes in the 4th century BC as a possible source of the name, but this remains a hypothesis.

Old TestamentUndated

About Holofernes

Holofernes is the chief captain of the army of Nabuchodonosor, 'king of the Assyrians', in the book of Judith. Sent to punish the western nations and make them worship the king alone, he destroyed their sanctuaries and besieged the Israelite town of Bethulia, seizing its springs. Charmed by Judith, who came to his camp claiming to betray her people, he held a feast and drank himself senseless. She beheaded him in his tent, and his army fled.

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Holofernes's Character Traits

ProudPowerfulRuthlessDeceived

Holofernes's Life Timeline

Chief CaptainUndated
Nabuchodonosor, king of the Assyrians, calls Holofernes, the chief captain next to him, and sends him against all the west country that refused to help him.
JDT 2:4-13
Campaign in the WestUndated
Even where peoples submit, he cuts down their groves and destroys their gods, so that all nations worship Nabuchodonosor alone.
JDT 3:1-10
Achior's WarningUndated
Achior the Ammonite warns him that Israel cannot be defeated unless it sins; Holofernes, asking 'who is God but Nabuchodonosor?', has him bound and left near Bethulia.
JDT 6:1-13
The Siege of BethuliaUndated
He camps in the valley near Bethulia, spreading toward Dothaim, and seizes the springs so that thirst will force the town to surrender.
JDT 7:1-18
Receiving JudithUndated
He welcomes the Hebrew widow who claims she will show him the way to victory, and is charmed by her beauty and her words.
JDT 11:1-23
The BanquetUndated
On the fourth day he holds a feast to seduce her and drinks more wine than ever before in one day.
JDT 12:10-20
Death and RoutUndated
Left drunk on his bed, he is beheaded by Judith; in the morning Bagoas finds his body without its head, and the army flees in panic.
JDT 14:14-19

Holofernes's Key Relationships

JudithEnemy

The widow of Bethulia who deceives him and cuts off his head with his own sword.

Holofernes's Key Locations

Nineveh

Capital of the king who sends him on campaign.

Bethulia

The small town he besieges, and where his campaign ends with his death.

Dothan

Dothaim, over which his army spreads its camp during the siege.

Spiritual Lessons from Holofernes

Pride Before the Fall

Holofernes commands a vast army and asks 'who is God but Nabuchodonosor?'. He falls not to soldiers or giants but to one widow. The book turns his might into irony: the strength he trusted could not protect him in his own tent.

Desire That Blinds

He waits for a chance to seduce Judith and drinks himself senseless at the feast. His appetite makes him careless; the man who planned to deceive is deceived.

Key Verses about Holofernes

JDT 2:4 JDT 6:2 JDT 13:8

Frequently Asked Questions

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How did Holofernes die?+

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