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What is the "head-band" Judith gives to Anna in the Protoevangelium of James?

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In the second paragraph of the Protoevangelium of James, Anna is mourning her barrenness when her maid-servant approaches her and offers her a "head-band:" > I shall bewail my widowhood; I shall bewail my childlessness. And the great day of the Lord was at hand; and Judith her maid-servant said: How long do you humiliate your soul? Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand, and it is unlawful for you to mourn. But take this head-band, which the woman that made it gave to me; for it is not proper that I should wear it, because I am a maid-servant, and it has a royal appearance. In response to this strange action, Anna gives an even more confusing response: > And Anna said: Depart from me; for I have not done such things, and the Lord has brought me very low. I fear that some wicked person has given it to you, and you have come to make me a sharer in your sin. And Judith said: Why should I curse you, seeing that the Lord has shut your womb, so as not to give you fruit in Israel? Can someone explain to me what all of this means? What is the "head-band" they are talking about? What is its significance? Who is the woman that gave it to Judith, and why does the creator matter? What sin would Anna be participating in by accepting the head-band? Why would she want it in the first place? What are things that Anna is denying she has done ("Depart from me; for I have not done such things")? Quick Google searches don't seem to explain this passage. Thank you for the help!
Asked by Guy (285 rep)
Apr 11, 2020, 09:27 PM
Last activity: Apr 12, 2020, 03:20 AM