Chabris was the son of Gothoniel. He was one of three civil officers (magistrates) of Bethulia (Judith 6:14–15; 10:6). When the Assyrians attacked the town, Chabris and the other leaders said they would only wait a few more days for God to save them. If nothing happened, they planned to surrender.
Judith rebuked them for this. She told them not to test God or give him a time limit (Judith 8:9–27).