Holofer’nes. Holofernes, or more correctly, Olofernes, was, according to the book of Judith, a general of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians, Jdt 2:4, who was slain by the Jewish heroine, Judith, during the siege of Bethulia. (B.C. 350).
HOLOFERNES.—According to the Book of Judith, Holofernes was the general entrusted by Nehuchadnezzar, ‘king of Nineveh,’ with the task of wreaking vengeance on ‘all the earth’ (Jdt 2:1; Jdt 2:4). Before his vast army nation after nation submitted and acknowledged Nehuchadnezzar as a god. The Jews alone would not yield; and Holofernes accordingly blockaded their city of Bethulia. For the subsequent story and the death of Holofernes at the hands of Judith, see art. Judith.
Holofernes has been variously identified with Ashurbanipal, Cambyses, Orophernes of Cappadocia (a friend of Demetrius Soter, the enemy of the Jews), Nicanor (the Syrian general conquered by Judas Maccahæus), Scaurus (Pompey’s lieutenant in Syria), and Severus (Hadrian’s general).
W. M. Nesbit.
General of the army of Nabuchodonosor, King of Assyria (Judith 2). Nabuchodonosor, who reigned at Ninive, had sent Holofernes at the head of a considerable force to bring all the earth under his empire. Only the Jews resisted (5). Holofernes besieged Bethulia, a city of the Jews. Soon they decided to surrender. God raised up a pious widow, named Judith, of extraordinary virtue and courage (8), who reanimated the confidence of her compatriots. Gaining the good graces of Holofernes, Judith, at a certain great feast, captivated the general. Having drunk to excess, Holofernes fell into a deep sleep, and Judith, praying for strength, cut off his head, which she carried back to her people (13). The heroine celebrated the victory of the Jews by a canticle (16) and all the people thanked God.