The next day Holofernes moves against Bethulia with a hundred and seventy thousand footmen and twelve thousand horsemen, spreading his camp from Dothaim toward Esdraelon. The chiefs of Esau and Moab advise him not to fight in the mountains but to seize the spring at the foot of the hill and let thirst do the work. After thirty-four days the cisterns are empty and children faint in the streets. The people beg Ozias to surrender rather than die of thirst; he asks them to hold out five more days, and promises to give up the city if no help comes.
Judith 7 - Summary
Summary
Read Judith Chapter 7 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
Jerusalem
View on MapCity whose temple Bethulia's resistance protects, where the people give thanks and Judith dedicates the spoil
Dothan
View on MapDothaim, near Bethulia, where the Assyrian army spreads its camp to besiege the town
Position in Book
The Campaign of NabuchodonosorChapters 1-3
Bethulia Under SiegeChapters 4-7
Israel fasts and holds the passes, Achior warns Holofernes about Israel's God and is handed over to Bethulia, and the town, cut off from its water, gives God five days.
Judith's Rebuke and PrayerChapters 8-9
In the Enemy CampChapters 10-12
The Night of DeliveranceChapters 13
The Assyrian RoutChapters 14-15
Judith's Song and Last YearsChapters 16