Sent to Holofernes may be rendered “sent a message to Holofernes:” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version).

Good News Translation adds “into the valley” near the end of the verse. This is done to refer back to 11.17, where Judith asks to be able to pray in the valley every night. Translators will find it helpful to follow Good News Translation‘s model here.

In English Judith’s message to Holofernes is much more naturally expressed in indirect discourse, as done by Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version, but in a number of languages, direct discourse will be preferred. It is not a particularly dramatic moment. It does not call for a scene to be pictured. The author simply uses Judith’s words to convey information. This device was probably simpler and more economical than describing Judith and Holofernes working out a prearranged plan before she retired for the night. This probably explains the rather strange incident of having Judith wake Holofernes long before daylight.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Judith. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.