Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsJudith 16

After that her husband was dead.

As young Tobias and Sara were notable patterns to married persons: ^[1] so Judith is a like good example to devout widows, excelling most part in many respects. ^[2] For first, she professed this holy state of life in the old Testament, when it was most rare, the law providing that the brother, or next kinsman, should marry the widow of him that died without children, ^[3] as it seemeth she had none, the Greek text affirming that she gave all her goods before her death to other kindred. ch. 16. v. 24. Secondly, she was only once married, ch. 15. v. 13. ch. 16. v. 26. whereas it is also commendable after twice or oftener marriage at last to abstain. Thirdly, she was young, about 36. years: for three years and a half after that her husband was dead, she was called a young maid, ch. 12. v. 12. Fourthly, she was of excellent beauty, ch. 8. v. 7. Fifthly, exceeding rich. Ibidem. Sixthly, very noble, especially after the delivery of the people from such distress. ch. 15. v. 10. Seventhly, for this renowned fact, and for her other great virtue (ch. 8. v. 8.) many principal men desired to marry her, ch. 16. v. 22. Eighthly, all the people wished much issue of so noble a stock. ch. 16. v. 25. Ninthly, she lived long in the state of widowhood, about threescore and nine years, from 36. to 105, ch. 16. v. 28. Tenthly, there was great and long peace in all Israel, after that she had relieved Bethulia. ch. 16. v. 30. All which might easily have invited another to have married: but her great devotion, and fervent desire to serve God in a retired austere life, fasting & praying, ch. 8. v. 6. cut off all incitements to marriage, ^[4] and made her before the Gospel to embrace Evangelical counsel, not commanded, but for better attaining to perfection counseled by our Saviour and S. Paul. Mat. 19. 1. Cor. 7.

• 1 Judith an example of holy widowhood.
• 2 Many incitements concurring to the contrary made her widowhood more excellent.
• 3 Deut. 25. v. 5. Ruth. 3. v. 12.
• 4 widowhood an Evangelical counsel.