1° The name, the subject, the division. — The name is that of the two heroes of the book, who were likely also its authors (see below, p. 334, point 3). The title, however, varies slightly in the different versions. In Greek: Βίβλος λόγων Τοβίτ (or Τοβείτ), sometimes simply Τοβίτ. In the Syriac Peshita: Liber rerum Tobit. In Latin translations: Liber Tobiae, Or Tobias, Or Tobit and Tobias (on this difference in names, see 1, 1 and the commentary), or, perhaps best of all, Liber utriusque Tobiae.
The charming and popular subject is well-known: it is the story of the two Tobits and the Lord's marvelous kindness toward them. The father, so holy, so tested, so patient, so rewarded; the son, also very holy, who serves as God's instrument to end the misfortunes of both his father and his cousin Sarah, and who is himself astonishingly blessed. It all comes down to these few words.
The division can be presented differently. For example, "six sections forming as many tableaux: 1° Virtues and trials of Tobit, 1, 1-3, 6; 2° Virtues and trials of Sarah, 3, 7-23; 3° Journey of young Tobit to Media, 3, 24-6, 9; 4° His marriage to Sarah, 6, 10-9, 12; 5° His return to Nineveh, 10, 1-11, 21; 6° Conclusion: manifestation of the angel Raphael, last years of Tobit, 12, 1-14, 17 (Bible manual, t. 2, n. 527). We have adopted the following division: two parts, the first of which, 1, 1-3, 25, serves as an introduction to the rest of the book, describing from the outset the cruel trials of Tobit and Sarah; the second, 4, 1-14, 17, recounts the entirely providential way in which God brought these trials to an end through the young Tobit. For the subdivisions of these two parts, we accept the sections or tables that have just been indicated. It is certain that this little book »forms a perfectly coordinated whole, and arranged with admirable art (Man. Bibl., 1. c.) ».
2° The purpose and usefulness of the Book of Tobit. — We can distinguish between the primary and secondary aims. The primary aim of the book is obviously to demonstrate that God sometimes places the righteous in the crucible of trial, but that he then transforms their suffering into all sorts of advantages, even temporal ones, when they have shown steadfastness and faithfulness. In this respect, the Book of Tobit differs from that of Job only in form (cf. 2:12 ff.). «The Book of Tobit offers us an intimate portrait of the virtues, sufferings, and joys of Tobit’s exile. It is not the cold account of fortuitously juxtaposed events, but the portrait, full of simplicity and grandeur, of the trials of a just and merciful man. Tobit is a second Job.» (Haneberg), History of biblical revelation, (t.2, p. 92 of the French translation). On both sides, it is a justification of divine Providence; "but, in Job, the problem of evil is discussed theoretically, here it is resolved, so to speak, in action, by the incidents of ordinary life (Man. Bibl.( ., vol. 2, no. 534).»
The secondary aim is to provide "a perfect model of domestic life." For this reason, our book has been aptly called "the manual for married couples." Indeed, "the example of young Tobit shows how unions pleasing to God should be contracted and celebrated. Humanity, love paternal, filial piety, gentleness and the integrity of the two Tobits are the development of fundamental thought… Thus, this book becomes the elementary book for parents who want to found a family pleasing to God, and to walk courageously in the face of life's trials (Haneberg, l. c.). »
It is therefore rich in moral teachings, which make it no less useful than it is interesting. From a historical point of view, it provides us with invaluable details about family life among the Hebrews and the situation of the Israelites deported to Assyria. Its importance is no less for dogma, since it significantly expands upon what we had learned up to that point in the Old Testament about the existence and role of angels, good or evil, and in particular about the angels guardians. He finally opens up, in the beautiful hymn of chapter 13, grandiose messianic perspectives.
3° The author and the era. — In the Greek text and most other ancient versions, Tobit the Elder is directly featured and speaks in the first person in the first pages of the book (1, 2b-3, 6) ("I, Tobit, walked all the days of my life in the ways of truth and justice, and I gave many alms to my brothers," etc.). Furthermore, in this same Greek text, it is explicitly stated (12:20) that the angel Raphael, before ascending to heaven, urged the two Tobiases to write down an account of the wonders they had experienced: γράψατε πάντα τά συντελεσθέντα είς βιβλίον («Write in a book all that has happened.»). The Vulgate says narrates, (instead of γράψατε). Now, it is quite natural to suppose that this recommendation was religiously carried out; the Greek editions even suggest this, adding, in 13.1, that "Tobias wrote a prayer of praise," that is, his beautiful canticle, which implies that he joined to the song of thanksgiving the narration of the events that had prompted it (the absence of these details in the Vulgate does not detract from the importance of this information, since our Latin version often abridges, as will be explained below). Catholic exegetes, both ancient and modern, relying on this evidence, have for the most part accepted that the two Tobiases are the authors, as well as the protagonists, of the book that bears their name, and this view is entirely plausible, especially since at every turn, minute details reveal the eyewitness. Certainly, an exception must be made for the last two verses 14 16-17 which recount the death of young Tobias and which were added by one of his children.
The period of composition of the book is determined by this; it dates back to the early days of the deportation of the Israelites from the North to Assyria, since Tobit appears to have lived during the reign of Shalmaneser (see 1, 2, and the commentary), towards the end of the 8th century BC.
4° Historical nature of the book. — It is vehemently denied in the rationalist camp, in reality because of the numerous miracles it recounts. Most Protestant commentators adopt this same opinion, although they cite other reasons, and see the Book of Tobit as nothing more than fiction, a pious novel.
The objection based on miracles proves absolutely nothing. The others would be more serious if they were well-founded; but they are only apparent and futile: it suffices to mention them here, for the refutation will be clearer and better suited to the commentary.
The Book of Tobit contains geographical errors. For example, according to Strabo (Geography, 11.12.6), the city of Rages was only built by Seleucus Nicator; it therefore could not have existed in the time of Shalmaneser. Furthermore, this same city is given in 3.7 as the residence of Sarah, while later (9.6), Azariah is sent from the place where Sarah lived to Rages (see the note to 3.7).
The Book of Tobit contains historical errors. 1. According to 1:18, Sennacherib is the son of Shalmaneser; this is incorrect, since he was the son of Sargon (see the note to this passage). 2. It is stated in 1:2 that Tobit, who belonged to the tribe of Naphtali, was deported by Shalmaneser, whereas, according to 2 Kings 15:29, it was Tiglath-pileser who led this tribe into captivity (see the note to 1:2).
The Book of Tobit may contain dogmatic errors in its statements concerning either the angel Raphael or the demon Asmodeus. However, when one examines the matter closely without preconceived notions, one sees that these statements are in perfect agreement with other passages in the Bible that discuss good and evil angels, and that if they add some new details, this is in accordance with the progressive development of revelation from one book to the next of the Old Testament.
The book of Tobit would contain details contrary to sound morals, notably the "lie" of the angel (5, 18), exaggerated statements about almsgiving (4, 11), etc.
Very weak evidence, which we oppose with genealogical details (see 1, 1 and 2, 22 in the Greek text), historical details (Cf. 1, 2, 5, 18, 24; 13, 11; 14, 6), geographical details, chronological details, by which the book of Tobit presents itself to us as a lived reality, as a series of objective events, as the opposite of fiction and allegory.
5° The canonicity the Book of Tobit was defined successively by the Councils of Trent (Session 4) and of Vatican (Sess. 3, chap. 2), and it is based on an irrefutable tradition. This small volume is indeed missing from the Hebrew Bible, and that is why it is classified among the deuterocanonical writings (see volume 1, p. 13, and the Man. Bibl., t.1, n. 30); but it was nevertheless accepted by the Jews, since it is found in the Septuagint translation, and the rabbis readily cite it (especially in the Midraš Beréšit) .'Moreover, it was from the hands of the Jews that the Christian Church received it, and it is incomprehensible that Protestants reject it as apocryphal, since many Fathers openly mention it as an inspired book, forming an integral part of the Bible (see the Man. Bibl., t. 1, nn. 31-33). We can draw a similar argument from the frescoes in the catacombs, which reproduce almost the entire story of Tobit. «These representations, so often repeated in the early Church when nothing of this kind was done, either in cemeteries or in basilicas, without the authority of the pastors, prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the book of Tobit was placed in the canon of Holy Scripture from the earliest times (Martigny, Dictionary of Christian Antiquities, 2nd edition, p. 761).»
6° Original text and translations. — Saint Jerome, in his *Praefatio in Tobiam*, wrote these words: "book written in Aramaic"; from which it has sometimes been concluded that the Book of Tobit was originally written in Aramaic. But the holy doctor meant only that he had made his translation from an Aramaic text. Today, it is commonly accepted, and it is almost certain, that the original language was Hebrew (the opinion that the Book of Tobit was composed in Greek hardly deserves to be mentioned).
This original text has long been lost (the two Hebrew texts we possess are translations, the oldest of which appears to date from the 5th century AD), and the various ancient versions that exist differ so greatly from one another that it is often impossible for scholars to reconstruct the original reading. The translators acted with considerable freedom: a detail contained in the Greek version is omitted by the Vulgate, or vice versa; the same proper name appears in a multitude of forms, and so on. But let us hasten to add that these variants only affect the surface, and in no way the substance of the book, which is identical throughout.
Among these translations, we should mention Syriac, Italic, Armenian, Chaldean, but especially the Greek Septuagint (there are three main recensions, which correspond to ancient manuscripts: the Codex Vaticanus, the Codex Sinaiticus, and the Codex Alexandrinus. See the Man. Bibl. , t.2, n. 523), and that of Saint Jerome, which the Vulgate has transmitted to us. Although the latter seems to have frequently abridged and summarized the Hebrew text, it is perhaps the one that comes closest to it, and it is regarded as excellent from all points of view.
7° Works to consult. – N. Serarius, In libros TBiham, Judith, EstherMachabaeos, Mainz, 1599; F. Justinianus, Tobias explanationibus historicis et documentis moralibus illustratus, Rome, 1620; G. Sanctius, In books RuthEzra, Nehemiah, Tobias, etc., Lyon, 1628; Abbot Gillet, Tobias, Judith and Esther, Paris, 1879. For introductory questions, see Cornely, Historica et critica Introductio in utriusque Testamenti libros sacros, t. 2, pp. 370 et seq.
Tobit 1
1 Tobias, from the tribe and town of Naphtali, which is in Upper Galilee, above Naasson, behind the road that goes west, with the town of Sepheth on the left, 2 was taken captive in the time of Shalmaneser, king of the Assyrians, and, even in his captivity, he did not abandon the path of truth. 3 Every day, he distributed to his brothers, those of his nation, captives like himself, everything he could spare. 4 And although he was the youngest of those in the tribe of Naphtali, there was nothing juvenile in his conduct. 5 Also, while everyone else went to worship the golden calves that Jeroboam, king of Israel, had made, he alone fled from the company of all., 6 and he went to Jerusalem, to the temple of the Lord, where he worshiped the Lord, the God of Israel, faithfully offering the firstfruits and tithes of his possessions. 7 Every three years, he distributed his entire tithe to proselytes and foreigners. 8 From his youth he observed these and similar things according to God's law. 9 When he reached manhood, he married a woman from his tribe named Anne, and they had a son to whom he gave his name 10 and that he instructed them from childhood to fear God and to abstain from all sin. 11 When he arrived as a captive, with his wife and son, in the city of Nineveh, where his entire tribe was. 12 Although all the others ate the food of the pagans, he kept his soul pure, and never defiled himself by their meats. 13 And because he faithfully remembered the Lord, God granted him the favor of King Shalmaneser, 14 which gave him the power to go wherever he wanted, with the freedom to do as he pleased. 15 He would then visit all those who were captives and give them helpful advice. 16 Having once gone to Rages, a city of the Medes, with ten talents, which came from the largesse with which the king had enriched him, 17He saw, among the large number of his compatriots, a man of his tribe, named Gabelus, who was in need, and he gave him this sum of money against a receipt. 18 Long afterward, when King Shalmaneser died, his son Sennacherib reigned in his place. Since this prince harbored a great hatred for the children of Israel, 19 Tobias would visit all his relatives every day, comforting them and distributing some of his possessions to each one, according to his means., 20 He fed the hungry, provided clothing for the naked, and took great care to bury those who were dead or had been killed. 21 When King Sennacherib, having returned from Judea as a fugitive after the defeat God had inflicted upon him for his blasphemies, put to death in his fury a great number of the children of Israel, Tobias buried the corpses. 22 When the news was brought to the king, he ordered him to be put to death and took away all his possessions. 23 But Tobias fled with his son and wife, and, stripped of everything, he managed to hide, because he had many friends. 24 Forty-five days later, the king was killed by his own sons. 25 Then Tobias returned to his house, and all his possessions were restored to him.
Tobias 2
1 After this, a feast of the Lord having arrived, and a great meal having been prepared in Tobias' house, 2 He said to his son, "Go and bring some men from our tribe who fear God, so that they may eat with us."« 3 His son left, and upon his return, he told him that one of the children of Israel, who had been murdered, lay lying in the street. At that moment, Tobias rose from the table and, leaving his meal there without having eaten anything, went to the corpse., 4 He took it and secretly brought it back to his house, in order to bury it carefully after sunset. 5 When he had hidden it, he ate his meal with tears and trembling, 6 in remembrance of this word that the Lord had spoken through the prophet Amos "Your days of celebration will be turned into wailing and mourning." 7 Then, when the sun had set, he went out and laid the body in the ground. 8 All his neighbors blamed him, saying, "You have already been ordered to be put to death for this, and you have barely escaped that death sentence before you are once again burying the dead."« 9 But Tobias, fearing God more than the king, removed the bodies of those who had been killed, hid them in his house and buried them during the night. 10 One day, having grown tired of burying the dead, he returned home, threw himself at the foot of the wall, and fell asleep. 11 While he was sleeping, warm droppings fell from a swallow's nest and landed in his eyes, causing him to go blind. 12 God allowed this trial to happen to him, so that his patience, like that of the holy man Job, might be given as an example to posterity. 13 For, having always feared God from his childhood and observed his commandments, he was not grieved against God that the misfortune of blindness had befallen him. 14 But he remained steadfast in the fear of God, giving thanks to Him all the days of his life. 15 Just as the tribal chiefs insulted the blessed Job, so too did Tobias' relatives and friends mock his conduct, saying: 16 «"What has become of your hope, for which you gave alms and buried the dead?"» 17 Tobias rebuked them, saying, "Don't speak like that, 18 For we are children of the saints, and we await the life that God will give to those who never withdraw their faithfulness to him.» 19 Anne, his wife, went every day to weave cloth and, by the work With her own hands, she brought back what she could earn for their upkeep. 20 It so happened that, having received a kid goat, she brought it home. 21 Her husband, having heard the bleating of the kid, said, "See if this kid has been stolen, and return it to its owner, for we are not permitted to eat anything that comes from theft, nor even to touch it."« 22 Then his wife angrily replied, "It is clear that your hope has been in vain; this is what your alms have earned you."« 23 It was through these and similar speeches that she insulted him.
Tobias 3
1 Then Tobias, having sighed, began to pray with tears, 2 saying: «You are just, Lord, just are all your judgments, and all your ways are mercy, truth, and justice. 3 And now, Lord, remember me, do not take vengeance for my sins, and do not remember my offenses, or those of my ancestors. 4 Because we did not obey your precepts, that is why we were given over to plunder, to captivity, to death, to ridicule and to reproach among all the nations among which you scattered us. 5 And now, Lord, your punishments are great, because we have not acted according to your precepts and we have not walked sincerely before you. 6 And now, Lord, deal with me according to your will, and command that my spirit be received in peace, for it is better for me to die than to live.» 7 It happened on that same day, in Ecbatana, a city of the Medes, that Sarah, daughter of Raguel, also heard the insults of one of her father's servants. 8 For she had been successively given in marriage to seven husbands, and a demon, named Asmodeus, had caused them to die as soon as they came to her. 9 As she was reprimanding this servant for some fault, the latter replied, saying: "May we never see on earth any son or daughter of you, murderer of your husbands. 10 "Do you want to kill me too, as you have already killed seven husbands?" At this, Sarah went up to the upper room of her house and stayed there three days and three nights, without eating or drinking. 11 But, persevering in prayer, she tearfully begged God to deliver her from this disgrace. 12 On the third day, she finished her prayer and blessed the Lord, 13 saying: «Blessed be your name, O God of our fathers, who even when you are angry, show mercy, and in times of tribulation forgive sins to those who call upon you. 14 To you, Lord, I turn my face, to you I lift my eyes. 15 I ask you, Lord, to deliver me from the bonds of this disgrace, or else, to remove me from this earth. 16 You know, Lord, that I have never desired a husband, and that I have kept my soul pure from all lust. 17 I have never frequented loose games and have never had relations with men of loose morals. 18 It was out of fear for you, and not to follow my passion, that I consented to take a husband. 19 Either I was not worthy of them, or perhaps they were not worthy of me, for it is possible that you kept me for another husband. 20 It is not within man's power to understand your plans. 21 But whoever honors you is assured that his life, if it has been in trial, will be crowned, that if he has been in tribulation, he will be delivered, and that if punishment has come upon him, he will be able to obtain your mercy. 22 For you do not take pleasure in our downfall, but after the storm you bring calm, and after weeping and tears you spread joy. 23 May your name, God of Israel, be blessed forever.» 24 These two supplications were answered simultaneously before the glory of the sovereign God 25 and the Lord’s holy angel, Raphael, was sent to heal Tobias and Sarah, whose prayers had been offered at the same time in the presence of the Lord.
Tobias 4
1 Believing that his prayer had been answered and that he was about to die, Tobias called his son Tobias to his side., 2 and said to him, «Listen, my son, to the words of my mouth and lay them as a firm foundation in your heart. 3 When God has received my soul, lay my body in the ground. You shall honor your mother all the days of her life., 4 because you must remember what she suffered and the great dangers she faced because of you, when she carried you in her womb. 5 And when she too has completed the time of her life, you shall bury her beside me. 6 Keep God in your thoughts every day of your life, and beware of ever consenting to sin and transgressing the precepts of the Lord your God. 7 Give alms from your wealth, and do not turn your face away from any poor person, for in this way the face of God will not turn away from you. 8 Be merciful in whatever way you can. 9 If you have a lot of wealth, give generously; if you have little, be sure to share even that little with a good heart. 10 In this way you will lay up a great treasure for yourself for the day of need. 11 For almsgiving delivers from all sin and from death, and it will not let the soul descend into darkness. 12 For all those who give alms, it will be a great source of confidence before the sovereign God. 13 Guard yourself, my son, from all sexual sin, and let your conscience never reproach you for a criminal act outside of your wife. 14 Never let pride rule in your heart or in your words, for it is through pride that all evils began. 15 When a man has done work for you, pay him his wages immediately, and let the wages of the mercenary not remain with you for a moment. 16 What you would be angry if someone did to you, take care never to do to another. 17 Eat your bread with the hungry and the poor, and cover the naked with your clothes. 18 Serve your bread and wine to celebrate the burial of the righteous, but do not eat or drink it with the fishermen. 19 Always seek advice from a wise man. 20 Bless God at all times, ask Him to guide your ways, and that all your plans may succeed through Him. 21 I also inform you, my son, that when you were still a small child, I gave ten talents of silver to Gabelus of Rages, a city of the Medes, and I have his receipt in my hands. 22 Therefore, hurry to find him and collect that sum of money, and you will repay his debt. 23 Do not be afraid, my son. It is true that we lead a poor life, but we will have much good if we fear God, if we avoid all sin and do good works.
Tobias 5
1 Then Tobias answered his father, saying, «All that you have commanded me, I will do, my father.”. 2 But I don't know how I can withdraw this money. This man doesn't know me, and he's a stranger to me too; what sign can I give him? I don't even know the way to that country.» 3 His father replied, saying, "I have his document in my hands; as soon as you show it to him, he will reimburse you.". 4 But now go and find a trustworthy man to go with you, for a fee, so that you may recover the money while I am still alive.» 5 Tobias, having gone out, found a handsome young man, standing and girded, as if ready to set out. 6 Unaware that it was an angel of God, he greeted him and said, "Where are you from, good young man?"« 7 The angel replied, "I am one of the children of Israel." And Tobias said to him, "Do you know the road that leads to the land of the Medes?"« 8 He replied, "I know it well; I have often traveled all these roads and I have stayed with Gabelus, our brother, who lives in Rages, a city of the Medes, which is situated in the mountains of Ecbatana."« 9 Tobias said to him, "Please wait for me until I have told my father."« 10 Then Tobias, having returned home, told his father everything. At this, the father, amazed, asked that the young man be brought in. 11 He entered and greeted him, saying, "That joy "May you always be with me." 12 «What joy can I have,» replied Tobias, “I who sit in darkness and cannot see the light of heaven?” 13 The young man told him, "Take heart. It is easy for God to heal you."« 14 Then Tobias said to him, "Could you please take my son to Gabelus, in Rages, a city of the Medes? When you return, I will give you your wages."« 15 «"I will lead him," replied the angel, "and I will bring him back to you."» 16 Tobias said to him, "Please tell me, what family and tribe are you from?"« 17 The angel Raphael answered him: "Is it the family of the guide you are looking for, or the guide himself, who is to accompany your son? 18 But so as not to worry you, I am Azariah, son of the great Ananias.» 19 «"You are of noble lineage," Tobias told him. "But please don't be angry that I wanted to know your family."» 20 And the angel said to him, «I will lead your son safely and I will bring him back to you safely.» 21 Tobias added: "Have a happy journey. May God be on your path and may his angel accompany you."« 22 When everything they were to take on the journey had been prepared, Tobias said goodbye to his father and mother, and he set off with the angel. 23 When they had left, the mother began to cry, saying, "You have taken away the staff of our old age and removed it from us. 24 Would to God that the money you sent him for had never existed. 25 because our poverty "Seeing our son was enough for us, and it was a blessing for us." 26 Tobias replied, "Do not weep, our son will arrive safely and he will return to us safely and your eyes will see him again. 27 For I believe that a good angel of God accompanies him and that he arranges happily all that happens to him, so that he will return to us with joy.» 28 At these words, her mother stopped crying and fell silent.
Tobit 6
1 Tobie set off, followed by the dog, and made his first stop near the Tigris River. 2 As he went down to the bank to wash his feet, a huge fish suddenly lunged to devour him. 3 Terrified, Tobias cried out, "Lord, he's attacking me!"« 4 The angel said to him, "Take it by the gills and pull it towards you." Having done so, he pulled it onto dry land and the fish struggled at his feet. 5The angel told him, "Eviscerate this fish, and keep its heart, gall, and liver, for they are used as useful remedies."« 6 He obeyed, then he roasted part of the meat, which they took with them for the journey, they salted the rest, which was to suffice until they arrived at Rages, city of the Medes. 7 And Tobias questioned the angel, saying, "I beg you, Azarias my brother, to tell me what curative properties the parts of this fish possess that you commanded me to keep."« 8 The angel replied, "If you place a small part of the heart on burning coals, the smoke that rises from it drives away all kinds of demons, whether from a man or a woman, so that they can no longer approach them. 9 And the gall is used to anoint eyes covered with a film, and it heals them.» 10 Tobias said to him, "Where do you want us to rest?"« 11 The angel answered him, «There is a man here called Raguel, of your tribe and family, he has a daughter named Sarah, but apart from her he has no other children, son or daughter. 12 All her possessions must come to you, and you must take her as your wife. 13 Ask her father, and he will give her to you as a wife.» 14 Then Tobias replied: "I have heard that she has already married seven husbands and that they are all dead, and I have also been told that a demon killed them. 15 I fear, therefore, that the same thing may happen to me, and that, being my parents' only son, I may sadly bring their old age down to the grave.» 16 And the angel Raphael said to him: «Listen to me, and I will tell you who it is that the devil has power over.”. 17 These are the ones who enter into marriage banishing God from their hearts and minds, to indulge their passions, like the horse and the mule that have no reason: over these the devil has power. 18 But you, when you have married her, having entered the room, live with her in continence for three days, and think of nothing else except praying to God with her. 19 On the first night, throw the fish's liver into the fire, and the demon will flee. 20 On the second night, you will be admitted into the society of the holy patriarchs. 21 On the third night, you will receive the blessing promised to their offspring, so that strong children may be born to you. 22 On the third night, you shall take the young woman in the fear of the Lord, guided more by the desire to have children than by passion, so that you may obtain in your children the blessing promised to the descendants of Abraham.»
Tobias 7
1 They entered Raguel's house, who received them with joy. 2 Upon seeing Tobias, Raguel said to Anne, his wife: "How much this young man resembles my cousin!"« 3 Having spoken thus, he said to the travelers, "Where are you from, young men, our brothers?" They replied, "We are from the tribe of Naphtali, among the captives of Nineveh."« 4 Raguel said to them, "Do you know Tobias, my brother?" "We know him," they replied. 5 And since Raguel spoke very highly of Tobias, the angel told him: "Tobias, of whom you speak, is the father of this young man."« 6 Raguel immediately ran to him and kissed him with tears, crying into his neck. 7 «Blessed be you, my son,» he said, “for you are the son of a good man, the best of men.” 8 And Anne, his wife, and Sara, their daughter, were shedding tears. 9 After they had spoken in this way, Raguel had a ram killed and a feast prepared, and, as he invited them to sit down for the meal, 10 Tobias said, "I will neither eat nor drink here today until you first grant my request and promise to give me Sarah, your daughter."« 11 Upon hearing these words, Raguel was seized with fear, knowing what had happened to the seven husbands who had approached her, and he began to fear that a similar misfortune might befall this one. As he remained in this uncertainty and gave no answer to Tobias's question, 12 The angel told her, "Do not be afraid to give your daughter to this young man, for she is to him, who fears God, as her wife; that is why no other man has been able to possess her."« 13 Then Raguel said: "I have no doubt that God has admitted my prayers and tears into his presence. 14 And I believe that he has brought you to me so that my daughter might marry her relative, according to the law of Moses. Therefore, have no more doubt that I will give her to you.» 15 And taking his daughter's right hand, he placed it in Tobias's right hand, saying, "May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you; may he himself unite you and shower you with his full blessing."« 16 Then, having taken some paper, they wrote up the marriage certificate. 17 After that, they took part in the feast, blessing God. 18 Raguel called Anne, his wife, and ordered her to prepare another room. 19 She took Sara, her daughter, there, and Sara began to cry. 20 And she said to her, “Take courage, my daughter. May the Lord of heaven give you joy instead of the sorrow you felt.
Tobit 8
1 After the meal, they led the young man to Sara. 2 Tobias, remembering the angel's words, took a portion of the liver from his bag and placed it on burning coals. 3 Then the angel Raphael seized the demon and chained him in the desert of Upper Egypt. 4 And Tobias exhorted the young girl, saying to her: «Sarah, get up, and let us pray to God today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, during these three nights we will be united with God, and, after the third night, we will live in our marriage. 5 For we are children of the saints, and we cannot unite like the Gentiles who do not know God.» 6 Having risen together, they both earnestly prayed to God to grant them health. 7 Tobias said: "Lord, God of our fathers, may heaven and earth, the sea, the fountains and the rivers, with all your creatures that they contain, bless you. 8 You made Adam from the dust of the earth, and you gave Eve as a companion. 9 And now, Lord, you know that it is not to satisfy my passion that I take my sister as my wife, but solely in the desire to leave children who will bless your name for all ages.» 10 Sarah also said, "Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, and may we both reach old age in perfect health."« 11 At the hour of the rooster's crow, Raguel ordered that his servants be brought in, and they went with him to dig a pit. 12 For he said, "The same thing could have happened to her as to the seven other husbands who went to her."« 13 When they had prepared the grave, Raguel returned to his wife and said to her: 14 «"Send one of your maids to see if he is dead so that I may bury him before daybreak."» 15 Anne sent one of her maids. When she entered the room, she found them safe and sound, both asleep. 16 Upon her return, she announced this good news, and Raguel and Anne, his wife, blessed the Lord., 17 saying: «We bless you Lord, God of Israel, for the disaster we feared has not come to pass. 18 You have shown us mercy, and you have removed from us the enemy who persecuted us. 19 You have had mercy on two only children. Grant, Lord, that they may bless you more and more, and that they may offer you a sacrifice of praise for their preservation, so that all nations may acknowledge that you alone are God over all the earth.» 20 Raguel immediately ordered his servants to fill in the pit they had made before daybreak. 21 And he told his wife to prepare a feast and to arrange all the necessary things for travelers to eat. 22 He also had two fat cows and four rams slaughtered, to prepare a meal for all his neighbors and friends. 23 And Raguel urged Tobie to stay at home for two weeks. 24 Raguel gave Tobias half of everything he owned, and he wrote a document so that the remaining half would become Tobias's property after their death.
Tobit 9
1 Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he believed to be a man, and said to him: «Azarias, my brother, I beg you to listen to my words. 2 Even if I were to give myself to you as a slave, I would still not fully recognize all your care. 3 Nevertheless, I still make this request to you: Take beasts of burden and servants with you and go to Gabelus, in Rages, city of the Medes, you will return his letter to him, you will receive the money from him and you will ask him to come to my wedding. 4 For you yourself know that my father is counting the days, and that if I delay one more day, his soul will be in sorrow. 5 You can also see how Raguel has begged me to stay here, and that I cannot resist his entreaties.» 6 Then Raphael, taking four of Raguel's servants and two camels, went to Rages, a city of the Medes. Having found Gabelus, he returned his note and received all the money., 7 And, after telling him everything that had happened to Tobias, son of Tobias, he brought him with him to the wedding. 8 When Gabelus entered Raguel's house, he found Tobias at the table. Tobias immediately stood up, they embraced, and Gabelus wept and blessed God. 9 saying, «May the God of Israel bless you, for you are the son of an excellent man, righteous and God-fearing, and a generous giver of alms. 10 May the blessing also be upon your wife and your parents. 11 May you see your children and your children's children, to the third and fourth generation. May your descendants be blessed by the God of Israel, who reigns forever and ever.» 12 They all said, "Amen." They sat down to eat, and in the fear of God they celebrated the wedding feast.
Tobit 10
1 While Tobias delayed his departure because of his wedding, his father Tobias was filled with worry: "Why is my son delayed?" he asked himself. "What reason could keep him in this country?" 2 "Could Gabélus be dead, and is there no one left to return the money to him?"» 3 He and Anne, his wife, began to be very sad, and together they wept because their son had not returned to them on the appointed day. 4 His mother especially shed endless tears: "Alas, alas, my son," she said, "why did we send you so far away, you who were the light of our eyes, the staff of our old age, the consolation of our life and the hope of our posterity?" 5 We, who had everything in you alone, should never have taken you away from us.» 6 Tobias said to him, "Stop your complaints and do not be troubled; our son is well, and the man with whom we sent him is very faithful."« 7 But nothing could console her; going out of her house every day, she looked in all directions, and went on all the roads by which there was hope that he would return, in order, if possible, to catch a glimpse of him from afar. 8 However, Raguel said to his son-in-law, "Stay here, and I will send news of your health to Tobias, your father."« 9 Tobias replied, "I know that my father and mother are counting the days and that their minds are troubled within them."« 10 After making further earnest entreaties to Tobias, who refused to listen to his reasons, Raguel gave him Sarah with half of all his possessions, including male and female servants, flocks, camels, cows, and a great deal of money, and let him go, full of health and joy., 11 saying: "May the holy angel of the Lord be in your path, may he lead you home safe and sound, may you find all things prosperous with your parents, and may my eyes see your children before I die."« 12 And the father and mother, taking their daughter, kissed her and let her go, 13 after recommending that she honor her in-laws, love her husband, lead her family well, govern her household, and keep herself blameless.
Tobit 11
1 As they were returning, they arrived on the eleventh day at Haran, a city situated halfway to Nineveh. 2 And the angel said, "Tobias, my brother, you know the state in which you left your father. 3 »If it seems good to you, let us go ahead, and let your servants follow in small groups, along with your wife and your livestock.” 4 Tobias having approved this plan, Raphael told him: "Take some fish gall with you, for you will need it." Tobias took some of this gall, and they left. 5 Anne, however, would go every day to sit by the roadside, at the top of an open hill, from where she could see far and wide. 6 And as she watched from there for the arrival of her son, she saw him returning in the distance, and recognizing him, she ran to announce it to her husband, saying, "Here comes your son."« 7 At the same time, Raphael said to Tobias: «When you enter your house, immediately worship the Lord your God and give thanks to him, then go to your father and embrace him, 8 »And you shall immediately spread on his eyes some of the fish gall that you carry with you, for know that his eyes will be opened at once, and your father will see the light of heaven, and the sight of you will fill him with joy.” 9 Then the dog that had accompanied them on the journey ran in front of them, as if to bring the news, stroking its tail and very happy. 10 And the blind father got up and began to run, and, as he stumbled with his feet, he gave his hand to a servant to go to meet his son. 11 Taking him in his arms, he kissed him, which his wife also did, and both shed tears of joy. 12 After they had worshiped God and given thanks, they sat down. 13 Immediately Tobias, taking some of the fish's gall, spread it on his father's eyes. 14 After waiting for about half an hour, a white film, like the film on an egg, began to appear from his eyes. 15 Tobias seized it and snatched it from his father's eyes, and at once his father regained his sight. 16 And they gave glory to God, him and his wife and all who knew him. 17 Tobias said: "I bless you, Lord, God of Israel, because you have punished me and healed me, and behold, I see my son Tobias."« 18 Seven days later Sarah, his son's wife, arrived with all her servants in good health, with the flocks and camels, and all the money from her marriage and that which Gabelus had returned. 19 And Tobias told his parents all the blessings God had bestowed upon him through the man who had guided him. 20 Achior and Nabath, Tobias's relatives, came to him, full of joy, and congratulated him on all the good things God had done for him. 21 And for seven days, eating together, they indulged in great rejoicing.
Tobit 12
1 Then Tobias called his son to him and said, "What shall we give to this holy man who accompanied you on your journey?"« 2 Tobias replied to his father, "Father, what reward can we offer him? Is there anything that relates to his services?" 3 He led me back safely and safely; he himself went to collect money from Gabelus; he gave me a wife, drove away the demon, and filled his parents with joy; he saved me from the fish that was about to devour me; he showed you the light of heaven; and through him we have been filled with every kind of blessing. What can we give him that equals what he has done for us? 4 But I beg you, Father, to ask him if he would not be willing to accept half of all the good we have brought.» 5 Having called him, Tobias and his son took him aside and begged him to accept half of everything they had brought back. 6 Then the angel, alone with them, said to them: «Bless the God of heaven and give him glory before every living thing, because he has shown you mercy. 7 It is good to keep the king's secret hidden, but it is honorable to reveal and publish the works of God. 8 Prayer is good with fasting, and charity is better than gold and treasures. 9 For almsgiving delivers from death, and it is almsgiving that erases sins, and that makes one find mercy and eternal life. 10 But those who commit sin and iniquity are their own enemies. 11 So I'm going to reveal the truth to you, and I don't want to hide anything from you. 12 When you prayed with tears and buried the dead, when, leaving your meal, you hid the dead in your house during the day and put them in the ground at night, I presented your prayer to the Lord. 13 And because you were pleasing to God, temptation had to test you. 14 Now the Lord has sent me to heal you and to deliver Sarah, your son's wife, from the demon. 15 I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand in the presence of the Lord.» 16 Upon hearing these words, they were beside themselves, and trembling greatly, they fell face down to the ground. 17 And the angel said to them, “That peace Be with you. Do not be afraid. 18 For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God; therefore bless him and sing his praises. 19 It seemed to you that I was eating and drinking with you, but I was eating invisible food and drinking that no human eye can perceive. 20 It is therefore time for me to return to the one who sent me, but you, bless God and proclaim all his wonderful deeds.» 21 After he had spoken thus, he was hidden from their sight, and they could see him no more. 22 Then, having prostrated themselves for three hours with their faces to the ground, they blessed God, and, having risen, they recounted all his wonders.
Tobit 13
1 Old Tobias, opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, saying: "You are great, Lord, in eternity and your reign extends throughout all ages. 2 For you punish and you save, you lead to the grave and you bring back from it, and there is no one who can escape your hand. 3 Praise the Lord, children of Israel, and give thanks to him before the nations. 4 For he has scattered you among the nations that do not know him, so that you may tell of his wonders and make them know that there is no other God almighty besides him alone. 5 He has punished us because of our iniquities, and he will save us because of his mercy. 6 Consider how he has dealt with us, and bless him with fear and trembling, and glorify the King of ages by your works. 7 For my part, I want to bless him in this country where I am a captive, because he has brought his glory upon a criminal nation. 8 Therefore, repent, sinners, and practice righteousness before God, in the confidence that he will have mercy on you. 9 As for me, I will rejoice in him with all my soul. 10 Bless the Lord, all you who are the chosen people, celebrate days of joy and sing his praises. 11 Jerusalem, city of God, the Lord has punished you because of the works of your hands. 12 Glorify the Lord by your good works, and bless the God of ages, so that he may rebuild his sanctuary in you, that he may restore to you all the captives, and that you may rejoice for ever and ever. 13 You will shine with a brilliant light, and all the countries of the earth will bow down before you. 14 Nations will come to you from distant lands, bringing gifts; they will worship the Lord within your walls and regard your land as a sanctuary., 15 for they will invoke the great Name in your midst. 16 Those who despise you will be cursed, those who blaspheme you will be condemned, those who edify you will be blessed. 17 And you will rejoice in your children, because they will all be blessed and gathered together with the Lord. 18 Blessed are all those who love you and rejoice in your peace. 19 My soul, bless the Lord, because he has delivered Jerusalem, his city, from all its tribulations, he, the Lord, our God. 20 I will be happy if there are descendants of my race left to see the splendor of Jerusalem. 21 The gates of Jerusalem will be made of sapphires and emeralds, and the entire perimeter of its walls of precious stones. 22 Immaculate white stones will pave its squares, and in its streets they will sing: Alleluia. 23 Blessed be the Lord who has given this glory to Jerusalem, and may he reign over it forever and ever. Amen.»
Tobit 14
1 Thus ended the words of Tobit. After he regained his sight, Tobit lived for another forty-two years, and he saw the children of his grandchildren. 2 He lived a total of one hundred and two years, and was honorably buried in Nineveh. 3 For he was fifty-six years old when he lost his sight, and he regained it at sixty. 4 The rest of his life was spent in joyAnd the more he progressed in the fear of God, the more peace he experienced. 5 At the hour of his death, he called to him Tobias, his son, and the latter's seven young sons, his grandsons, and he said to them: 6 «"The destruction of Nineveh is near, for the word of God must be fulfilled, and our brothers who are scattered there far from the land of Israel will return there.". 7 The whole land of Israel, after being deserted, will be repopulated, and the house of God, after being burned, will be rebuilt, and all who fear God will return to it. 8 The nations will abandon their idols, they will come to Jerusalem and dwell there, 9 and all the kings of the earth will rejoice there, worshipping the King of Israel. 10 «Listen then, my children, to your father, serve the Lord in truth, and strive to do what pleases him. 11 Advise your children to practice justice and give alms, to remember God and to bless Him at all times in truth and with all their strength. 12 «Listen to me now, my children, and do not remain in this city, but on the very day that you have buried your mother beside me in the same tomb, set out to leave this place, 13 for I see that the iniquity of Nineveh will bring about its ruin.» 14 After his mother's death, young Tobias left Nineveh with his wife, his children, and his children's children, and returned to his in-laws. 15 He found them healthy in a happy old age, he took care of them and closed their eyes, he collected all the inheritance of the house of Raguel, and he saw the children of his children to the fifth generation. 16 After he had lived ninety-nine years in the fear of the Lord, his children buried him with joy. 17 All his relatives and descendants persevered in good life and holy conduct, so that they were loved by God and men, and by all who lived in the land.
Notes on the Book of Tobit
1.1 First section: «Virtues and trials of Tobit, from chapter 1 to chapter 3, verse 6. ― Tobi.e. means in Hebrew "God is good." From the city of Naphtali. This must refer to a city in the tribe of Naphtali, because there was no city bearing that name. According to several modern scholars, Tobias may have come from Kadesh of Naphtali, so named to distinguish it from Kadesh of Issachar. Naasson is unknown. ― SephtAccording to common opinion, the still important city of Safed, where there is a large Jewish community, is a climate very healthy, because of its location which is the highest in Galilee, at 845 meters altitude.
1.2 See 2 Kings 17:3; 18:9. In the days of Shalmaneser, king of the Assyrians, who reigned from 727 to 723 or 722 BC.
1.5 See 1 Kings 12:28.
1.11 Where he found himself. These words seem necessary for the true meaning of the text. First, the very construction of the sentence seems to preclude linking the expression with his whole tribe to the words with his wife and son. Secondly, it is certain that the tribe of Naphtali, to which Tobias belonged, had already been transported to Assyria by Teglath-pileser, who was its king. See 2 Kings, 15, 29. ― With his whole tribe, can get along better with all that remained of his tribe in Palestine, because Tiglath-pileser had not deported absolutely all the Naphtalites. ― Nineveh, capital of Assyria, on the Tigris.
1.12 Foods of the pagans ; that is, meats forbidden to Jews by the Law (see Leviticus, (Chapter 11).
1.16 From which, etc.; salary attached to his position. ― Ragès, Rei, today, once stood not far from the present-day site of Tehran. Remains of ancient fortifications can still be seen there. It is mentioned as a very ancient city in the Zend Avesta, and its name appears in the cuneiform inscriptions of Darius, son of Hystaspes. Seleucus Nicator rebuilt it and renamed it Europos. The Mongols almost completely destroyed it in 1220.
1.18 Sennacherib, King of Nineveh, reigned from 705 to 681 BC. He was not the son of Salmanasar, but of Sargon. This name of Salmanasar has been altered by copyists, as evidenced by the Greek text, which reads Enemessaros.
1.21 See Ecclesiasticus 48:24; 2 Maccabees 8:19. The wound, etc.; the miraculous destruction of his army. See 2 Kings, 19, 35-36.
1.24 See 2 Kings 19:37; 2 Chronicles 32:21; Isaiah 37:38. After forty-five days. The different texts of Tobit give a different number of days. Moreover, these days do not apply to the time that elapsed since Sennacherib's return to his kingdom after the destruction of his army in Palestine, but to the time that elapsed since Tobit's dispossession.
2.1 Meal ; properly the first of the day.
2.3 From his bed at the table. The ancient Hebrews used to eat reclining on couches. However, this custom was not universal among them.
2.6 See Amos 8:10; 1 Maccabees 1:41.
2.9 See Tobit 1:21.
2.10 The wall of his house. Tobias, unable to purify himself from the legal impurity he had contracted by touching the dead, remained outside his home.
2.11 A swallow's nest. These birds were swallows, according to Saint Jerome's translation, and sparrows according to the ancient Italics and the Greek texts, which also make no mention of a nest. According to the Greek versions, the blindness was not instantaneous; but the excrement, which was hot, fell on the eyes., open, add the Codex Vaticanus and others, produced inflammation and a film in the eyes, which, through the clumsiness of the doctors, degenerated into complete loss of sight. Saint Jerome summarized all the details provided by the other texts in two words: he became blind.
2.22 See Job 2:9.
3.2 Justice ; literally judgment, ruling just.
3.4 See Deuteronomy 28:15.
3.7 Ragès ; the Greek reads Ecbatana. On the other hand, we see in the Vulgate (see Tobie(9, vv. 3, 6) that Tobias, having arrived at Raguel's house, sends Raphael to Rages near Gabelus. To eliminate this kind of contradiction in the Vulgate, it is said that there were two cities named Rages. It could also be said that Raguel and his daughter were living in Rages when the seven husbands were killed by the demon; but that after this unfortunate event, they changed their dwelling; indeed, they had more than one reason to leave a place that reminded them of such sad memories. — The Greek reading is preferable. Raguel lived in Ecbatana. Ecbatana, now Hamadan, was the capital of Media. Founded by Deioces and surrounded by seven walls of varying heights and colors, it served as a summer residence for the Achaemenid kings and later for the Parthian kings. Situated amidst high mountains, the climate It is very cold. Its altitude is nearly 1800 meters. ― Verse 7 begins the second part of this story which, up to verse 23, reveals to us the virtues and trials of Sarah, daughter of Raguel.
3.8 Asmodeus appears to be the demon of lust. According to some, it comes from Persian. asmûden, "to attempt", according to the others from Hebrew Shamad, " lose. "«
3.10 The upper room, the main room of the house.
3.24 Here begins the third section of Tobit, from chapter 3, verse 24, to chapter 6, verse 9, which recounts the journey of young Tobit to Media.
3.25 Raphael, «God heals», takes on a human form to lead, under the name of Azarias, the young Tobias.
4.3 See Exodus 20, 12; Ecclesiasticus 7, 29.
4.4 Because of you, when you were in her womb.
4.7 See Proverbs 3, 9; Ecclesiasticus 4, 1; 14, 13; Luke 14, 13.
4.8 See Ecclesiasticus 35, 12.
4.11 See Ecclesiasticus 29:15. Because alms, etc. Almsgiving done with good intentions merits us an increase of divine grace, and thus leads us to conversion and penance, which in fact delivers us from all sin and saves us from eternal death.
4.13 See 1 Thessalonians 4:3. To know the crime ; that is to say, to commit adultery.
4.14 See Genesis 3:5.
4.15 See Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14.
4.16 See Matthew 7, 12; Luke 6, 31.
4.17 See Luke 14, 13.
4.18 This custom of placing food on tombs, practiced among the Hebrews, and even among Christians For several centuries, it was an alms given to the living, in order to encourage them to pray for the dead.
4.21 See Tobie, 1, 17.
4.23 See Romans 8, 17.
5.2 Which brand, etc.; to make myself known to him.
5.5 When the people of the East set out on their journey, they hitch up their long garments with a belt.
5.7 The angel, having taken the form of Azariah (see verse 18), and consequently representing him and standing in his place, could, without betraying the truth, call himself a child of Israel. This is how another angel said to Jacob: I am the God of Bethel, because he represented the Lord and spoke in his name (see Genesis 31, 13).
5.18 Azarias means God help, And Ananias, God is gracious and merciful.. The angel could all the more readily take on these two names, as they perfectly suited the divine mission he was fulfilling with regard to Tobias.
5.23 See Tobit, 10, 4.
5.25 OUR poverty, etc. The little we had was enough for us, and we should have considered the happiness of having our son with us as a treasure.
6.1 On the evening of the first day of the journey, Tobias and his driver stopped on the banks of the Tigris, either the famous river of that name, which crossed ancient Nineveh, which would imply that the Israelite remained on the right bank, or the great or little Zab, tributaries of the Tigris, to the east, which were also given this name.
6.2 A huge fish. It was probably a pike. It is found in the Tigris; its flesh is excellent; it is large enough to provide several days' food for travelers, see Tobie, 6:6; it has fins and scales and thus fulfills the conditions prescribed by the law for Jews to eat it, see Leviticus, 11, 9-10; it has gills, as the text supposes.
6.6 In Ragès. See Tobie, 3, 7.
6.8-9 The angel instructed Tobias to grasp the fish by its gills, and, after they had eaten, he advised him to keep a portion of the heart to drive out the demon, and the gall to heal the cloudiness of the eyes. Catholic exegetes are divided on whether these are natural or supernatural properties of these organs. It is more likely that they are miraculous properties bestowed upon them by God so that his angel might preserve them until the end.’incognito and nevertheless fulfill the rescue mission entrusted to it.
6.9 He healed them. These words obviously contain an underlying implication. if we anoint them with this gall. Ellipses of this kind are very common in the style of Scripture.
6.10 Fourth section. Marriage of young Tobias with Sarah, from chapter 6, verse 10, to chapter 9.
6.12 See Numbers, 27, 8; 36, 8.
6.15 In Hell / Sheol. See, for the true meaning of this expression, Genesis 37, 35.
6.20-22 In the second and third nights, which you will likewise spend in continence and prayer, you will participate in the spirit, in the virtue of the holy patriarchs, and in the blessing which consists in a numerous posterity of children of the race of Abraham.
7.14 See Numbers, 36, 6. ― According to the Law of Moses, which prescribed that when there were only daughters in a family, they would marry within their own tribe.
7.16 Paper, Or a book, as the Greek word carries.
7.19 She cried. The following proves that it was indeed Sara who wept. Furthermore, it should be noted that, in sacred writings as well as in Arab authors, the complement of a verb very often serves as the subject of the following verb, when the latter has no other expressed subject.
8.3 The angel Raphael, using the power God had given him, stripped Asmodeus of all power to harm. In the desert of Upper Egypt, in the Thebaid.
8.4 We are, etc. We must unite ourselves with God through prayer.
8.8 See Genesis 2, 7.
8.11 Roosters. The Vulgate word properly means the little animals. ― To dig a grave, in order to bury Tobias immediately, who was presumed dead, because it was not customary to preserve corpses.
8.19 Let them offer you a sacrifice, not a sacrifice properly speaking, which could not be offered outside of Palestine, but a sacrifice of praise or thanksgiving, as in Psalm 49, 23.
8.24 After their death ; that is to say, the death of Raguel and his wife.
9.2 I wouldn't be, etc.; my person and my services as a slave would not be a price quite worthy of the services you have rendered me, that is to say: I could not worthily acknowledge, etc.
9.3 In Ragès. See Tobie, 1, 16.
9.8 At the table ; literally layer. See Tobie, 2, 3.
9.10 Let it be said, etc. Let the blessings be pronounced upon your wife, etc.; that is to say, let your wife and parents be proclaimed happy.
10.1 Saying in itself, speaking in itself. Compare to 2 Kings, 9, 1. ― Chapters 10 and 11 form the fifth section and tell of Tobias' return to Nineveh.
10.4 See Tobit, 5, 23.
11.1 Charan does not refer here to the city of that name located in Mesopotamia, but to another city east of Nineveh and otherwise unknown, perhaps located on the border of Media and Assyria.
11.2 Tobias had been unable to leave his young wife and go ahead while they were still in Media, probably because that country, poorly subdued by the Assyrians, was hostile to those traveling to Nineveh. Therefore, the angel Raphael and Tobias had to remain with Sarah to protect her and her possessions. Once they arrived on Assyrian soil, they could hasten their journey without hindrance, allowing her to follow in short stages.
11.15 Tobie : the son, according to the Vulgate; the Greek does not specify either the father or the son.
12.1 Sixth section and conclusion of the story, from chapter 12 to chapter 14; manifestation of the angel Raphael and the last years of Tobias.
12.9 Of death ; Eternal. See Tobie, 4, 11.
12.11 One thing ; literally a word. As we have already noted, in Scripture the word word is very often taken in the sense of thing, fact, event.
12.12 Your meal. See Tobie, 2, 1.
12.15 Raphael ; Hebrew word which means God healed.
13.1 and following This canticle is at the same time a true prophecy, in which Tobit announces the deliverance of the Israelites and the restoration of Jerusalem, or rather the establishment of the Church and the future conversion of the Jewish people.
13.2 See Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Kings 2:6; Wisdom 16:13. In hell. See, for the meaning of this expression, Genesis 37, 35.
13.9 Me and my soul ; That is to say, my whole being.
13.11 Jerusalem was not destroyed until more than 70 years after the death of Tobias, who, as a prophet, uses the preterite tense for the future.
13.12 His tabernacle ; that is to say, his temple.
13.14 See Isaiah 60:5. For saint ; literally and through Hebraism for sanctification, holiness.
13.15 The big name ; That is to say, the great God. See 2 Ezra, 1, 9.
13.21 See Revelation 21:19.
14.5 His grandsons ; literally son of him ; that is to say, the young Tobias.
14.6 See 1 Ezra 3:8. The ruin of Nineveh will come soon. It took place in 606. The capital of Assyria was captured and devastated by Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, father of Nebuchadnezzar, and by Cyaxares Ier, king of the Medes.
