IIOLOFERNES rOXoOpyns). This name oc curs only in the Apocrypha (Judith ii. 4, et al.) Nebuchadnezzar king of Nineveh,' having re I solved to avenge himself on all the earth, ap.
pointed Holofernes general of the expedition in tended for this purpose, consisting of 12o,000 foot and 12,000 horse. Holofernes marched westward and southward, carrying devastation everywhere he came, destroying harvests, and flocks, and cities, as well as men, old and young ; making even the cities of the sea-coast,' which had submitted to him, feel the weight of his arm. Having reached Esdraelon, he encamped between Geba and Scy thopolis ' a whole month to collect his forces. The Jews, however, resolved to resist him, and fortified all the mountain passes. Dissuaded by Achior, captain of the sons of Ammon,' from at tacking the Jews, he resented the advice, and de livered Achior into the hands of the Jews in Bethulia, from whom, however, he met with a kind reception. Holofernes proceeded against Bethulia (which see), where he was brought to bay ; and, instead of attacking it, seized upon two wells, on which the city depended for water, and sat down before it to take it by siege. While here
Ile fell a victim to the treachery of Judith, a beau tiful Jewish widow, who artfully managed to be brought into his presence, and who, by playing the hypocrite, secured his favour and confidence. Having invited her to a banquet, he drank freely, and having fallen asleep, fell beneath the arm of his fair guest, who cut off his head with his own sword, and escaped with her bloody trophy to her own people in Bethulia. The Jews immediately fell on their enemies, who, finding- their general (lead in his tent, fled in confusion. Such is the story. It is scarcely necessary to add that it is wholly unhistorical (see JuniTH). The narne (I lo lofernes) occurs twice in Cappadocian history, as borne by Ariarthes I. (cir. B.C. 350), and afterwards by a pretender to the Cappadocian throne, who was at first supported, and aftenvards imprisoned, by Demetrius Soter (cir. B.o.13o). The termina tion (Tisaphernes, etc.) points to a Persian oiigin, but the meaning of the word is uncertain' (Smith's Diet. of the Bible).—I.