Judith is introduced
1 Now in those days Judith heard about these things. She was the daughter of Merari son of Ox son of Joseph son of Oziel son of Elkiah son of Ananias son of Gideon son of Raphain son of Ahitub son of Elijah son of Hilkiah son of Eliab son of Nathanael son of Salamiel son of Sarasadai son of Israel.
2
Her husband Manasseh, who was from her tribe and her family, had died during the barley harvest.
3
He suffered heat stroke while he was overseeing the workers in the fields, and died in his bed in Bethulia, his hometown. They buried him with his ancestors in the field between Dothan and Balamon.
4
Judith had lived as a widow in her house for three years and four months.
5
She pitched a tent for herself on the roof of her house, put funeral clothing around her waist, and wore widow's clothing.
6
She fasted all the days of her widowhood except for the day before the Sabbath and the Sabbath itself, the day before the new moon, the day of the new moon, and the feasts and celebration days of the house of Israel.
7
She was very beautiful and lovely to stare at. Her husband Manasseh left her gold and silver, male and female slaves, cattle, and fields, which she continued to oversee.
8
And no one had a bad word to say about her, for she revered God greatly.