| Judith 15:14
| But all those things that were proved to be the peculiar goods of Holofernes, they gave to Judith, in gold and silver, and garments, and precious stones, and all household stuff, and they all were delivered to her by the people.
| But. Greek, "And they gave to Judith the tent of Holofernes, and all the silver plate, and beds and basins, and all his furniture, which she taking, place upon her mule, and put to her chariots, and heaped them thereon; and every woman of Israel ran to see her, and they blessed her, and danced in her honour. Then she took some thyrsus (Haydock; or branches entwined with ivy, etc.; Calmet) in her hands, and gave to those women who accompanied her; and they crowned with olive both her and her attendant; (maid, or Alexandrian Septuagint, "and she was crowned with olive, and her mule;" Grabe substitutes "female companions,") and she went before all the people, leading the dance of all the women; and every man of Israel followed in arms, with crowns, and with hymns in their mouth. Then," etc., Judith 16. (Haydock) --- The bearing of green branches, on such occasions, was very common, Leviticus 23:40., 2 Machabees 10:7., and Matthew 21:8. Hence Tacitus (Hist. v.) supposed that the Jews adored Bacchus. But there was nothing here of the immodesty, which generally attended the pagan festivals. We only find this instance of women being crowned with olive. But this tree was very proper, as it was used in rejoicings: Ramo felicis olivae; (Virgil vi.) on which Servius remarks, olivae, arboris festae. At certain races in Greece, women who gained the victory, were thus crowned; (Alex. Genial 5:8.) and it was used by the Roman cavalry on the ides of July, and in ovations. (Pliny, [Natural History?] 15:4.) --- The processions of the Church often admit of similar ornaments in honour of God, (Tirinus) and to promote piety. (Haydock)
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