Arphaxad Fortifies Ecbatana

1 It was the twelfth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled over the Assyrians in the great city of Nineveh. In those days Arphaxad ruled over the Medes in Ecbatana.^(A)

Nebuchadnezzar Issues Ultimatum

⁷ Then Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians, sent messengers to all who lived in Persia and to all who lived in the west, those who lived in Cilicia and Damascus, Lebanon and Antilebanon, and all who lived along the seacoast,^(A)

⁷ When they raised him up he threw himself at Judith’s feet and did obeisance to her and said, “Blessed are you in every tent of Judah! In every nation those who hear your name will be alarmed.^(A)