ii. TuK Nakeative.— Tobit, a pious Jew of the tribe of Naphtali, very scrupulous as to feasts and tithes, was, with his wife Anna and his son Tobias, taken into captivity by Enemessar (Shalmaneser) to Nineveh. Even there he remained loyal to Mosaism, abstaining from eating the food of tlie Gentiles ; and yet became in time the kings pur- veyor. Once when travelling in Media, he de- posited 10 talents of silver with a brother Jew named Gabael, at Rhagaj (Racks). When Sen- nacherib (who is called in 1" Enemessar s son) returned from Judah, Tobit fell into disfavour, chiefly from his habit of buryin<; Jews who were assassinated in the king's fury. Tobit fled, but, on the entreaty of his nephew Achiacharus (Ahiliar), was reinstated by king Sarchedonus (Esarliaddon) (ch. 1). At a feast of Pentecost he sent out his son to bring in some poor Jew to dine with him. Tobias returned, saying there was a Jew lying in tlie street strangled. Tobit rose at once, hid hini, and at night buried him. Bein<r thus rendered unclean, he slept in tlie courtyard ; and sparrows ' muted warm dung into his eyes ' and blinded him (2'-"'). Reduced to poverty again, Anna wove and spun for hire, and one day, under provoca- tion, she reproached her husband for his blind-
TOBIT, BOOK OF
TOBIT, BOOK OF
78*.
ness; whereupon he prayed to die(3*"'). The same day, in Ecbatana ot >Iedia, Sarah, the daughter of llagiiel and Edna, who had been married seven times, but whose husbands liad all died on the bridal night, was reproached by a maid for having ebiin them ; whereas it was Asinoda'us, the arcli- demon, who slew them. She also prayed to die {3"'**). The prayers of lK)th were hearil, and Raphael was sent to deliver both of them. Tobit, in view of his death, wished to send Tobias to llhagie, to fetch the silver, and gave him a lon^ exhortation (ch. 4). When Tobias sou-^bt a guide, Raphael ortered bis services, pretending to be Azarias, a kinsman. The guides wages beii.g iixed, the two Bet out with a favourite dog for Media (ch. 5). On the way, wiiile Tobias was bathing in the Tigris, a great lish tlireatened him, but lie caught it ; and on liaphaers advice cut out its heart, liver, and gall for medicinal use later on (ch. 6). Passing through Ecbatana, they stayed with Rac:uel ; and Tobias asked for Sarah in marriage, lie had been pre- viously instructed by Raphael how to exorcise the demon from Sarah, and uefore night the marriage •was celebrated (cli. 7). Raguel naturally is appre- hensive, and digs a grave at midnight ; but the odour of the heart and liver of the Hsh, when burnt on ashes, caused Asmodaius to tlee to Egypt, whither Rapliael follows him and binds him ; and Tobias and Sarah, after unitinj; in prayer, pass the night in peace (S^'***). Edna satisfies herself on this during the niglit, and Raguel, after previously thanking God, Ulls in the grave and prepares the nuptial festivities, which lie swears must last 14 days(8'^"-'). Raphael goes forward to Rhagie, secures the silver, still sealed in bags, from Gabael, and brink's him back to the wedding, where he pours his blessings on the bridal pair (ch. 9). The festivities over, Raguel Bends forth Tobias and bis wife in peace to Nineveh, and gives them half his wealth (10^"^-). Anna has for days been very miserable, and has stood all day on tlie highway watching, at intervals re- proaching poor bliml Tobit for allowing their son to go (10'"*). When at length she sees Tobias and Azarias who had come on in front, she runs to tell Tobit. Tobias skilfully applies the gall of the mysterious lish to his father s eyes ; a white film peels ofl'and his sight is restored. Then Tobit and Annawelcome Sarah with pious wishes (ch. 11). All that remains is to reward the faithful Azarias. Father and son agree to give him half of all they have. Whereupon he discloses bis identity and re- turns to heaven (ch. 12). In ch. 13 we have a Song of Thanksgiving from Tobit ; and in ch. 14 Tobit, being now very old, gives to his son and grandsons his dying valedictions, and urges them to leave Nineveh for Media. After his death they go to Media, and arrive in time to witness the death of Ra-uel and Edna. Tobias lives to a ripe old age, and is allowed to hear the glad news of tlie destruc- tion of Nineveh.
VaRIATIOSSOFTUE N ARRATiVB tS THR several VEIISIOSS. — 1( we compare the Jcwiah VSS with the (Jr. and LaU we flud three intureaLiiig variati<jris : (a) Ararn. arni Heh. VSa all omit reference to the dog, which tl»o other VSS mention, (b) In 8^ the Jewish VSS (oa also 9yr.^ narrate that after TohlaM' prayer in the bridal chamber, * Sarah Bald Amcii * ; the rest, that * they both tOKether said Amen.' (c) In 68 oa Aram., IIM, HK eay that Oabacl gave Tobit his ban *« * token, not his bumL
Aram., HL, HO, and Vul^,'. differ from the real in that through- out they speak o( Tobit In the third person, whereas all other t«xt0 make Tobit speak in the Qret person aft (ar aa Si^ The third is used afterwarda