TOBIT

an historical romance

Introduction – Where’s Tobit?

The Book of Tobit used to be one of the best loved books of the Bible.  It has pathos, threat, money, love and a happy ending.  Ideal holiday reading!  

It was probably  written in Greek, about 200 BCE, but there were versions in Hebrew and Aramaic.  It was not part of the Hebrew Scriptures, but up till 1530 it was in all Christian Bibles along with the rest of the Apocrypha.  It is still an integral part of Roman Catholic,  Orthodox and digital Bibles.  

The psychological drama of the story appealed to European artists for centuries, so we are able to follow the story in pictures as well as words. This is a shortened version, reduced by over 75%, but using the original wording as far as possible throughout  (New Revised Standard version).

Enjoy!

Tobit becomes blind   Chapters 1.1 – 3.6

Tobit was an Israelite, from the northern tribe of Naphtali.  At that time Israel worshipped at a statue of a calf in Bethel.  “I alone went to Jerusalem for the festivals…  I would hurry off to Jerusalem with the first fruits of the crops etc… Also for six years I would save up a second tenth in money and go and distribute it in Jerusalem…  My father had died and left me an orphan.  When I became a man I married a member of our own family and by her I became the father of a son whom I named Tobias.”   

He was carried away captive to Nineveh and had a very responsible job buying products for the king of Assyria in the east, in Media.  There he left  ten talents of silver in trust with  his cousin Gabael.  Tobit did many acts of charity, particularly burying members of the Jewish community, including those whom king Sennacherib had killed.  This made him a wanted man and he had to flee, but returned to Nineveh after Sennacherib in his turn was killed.  He held a feast and asked his son Tobias to go and find some poor person to share the feast with.  Tobias returned to say that an Israelite was lying in the market place strangled.  Tobit went out immediately and buried the man.  His neighbours laughed at him.  “Is he still not afraid?  He has already been hunted down to be put to death for doing this, and he ran away; yet here he is again burying the  dead!”  

That night he slept by the wall of the courtyard. Some sparrow droppings fell in his eyes and he became completely blind for the next four years.  His wife Anna had to work at weaving to provide for them.  One day she was given a young goat for a meal, but Tobit thought she had stolen it.  “I became flushed with anger against her over this.  Then she replied to me, ‘Where are your acts of charity?  Where are your righteous deeds.?”  Tobit replied with a long prayer of despair:  “Command my spirit to be taken from me, so that I may be released from the face of the earth and become dust, for it is better for me to die than to live…” 

Meanwhile in Media   Chapter 3.7-end

A lovely young woman, Sarah, daughter of Raguel, was mocked by her maid: “You are the one who kills your husbands!  See, you have already been married to seven husbands and have had no benefit of a single one of them.  Why do you beat us?  Because your husbands are dead?  Go with them!  May we never see a son or daughter of yours!” 

This was because on each of the seven wedding nights a wicked demon Asmodeus had killed the new husband before anything could take place.

Sarah was so depressed that she went to her father’s upper room intending to hang herself.  But thinking it over, she decided it would be too cruel to her father, so she would just pray for death instead.  “Already seven husbands of mine have died, why should I still live?  But if it is not pleasing to you, O Lord, to take my life, hear me in my disgrace.”

Both Tobit’s and Sarah’s prayers were heard in the glorious presence of God, and Raphael was sent down to sort things out.  ‘At the same time that Tobit returned from the courtyard into his house, Sarah daughter of Raguel came down from her upper room.’ 

Tobit sends Tobias to Media Chapters 4 + 5

Tobit  made a long speech giving Tobias good advice.  “My son, when I die, give me a proper burial.  Honour your mother and do not abandon her all the days of her life … Give alms from your possessions… Do not marry a foreign woman … love your kindred… pay at once those who work for you…  do not drink wine to excess… seek advice from every wise person… at all times bless the Lord.  (And by the way) I left ten talents of silver in trust with Gabael at Rages in Media.”  

Tobias sensibly asked, “What sign am I to give (Gabael) so that he will recognise and trust me, and give me the money?  Also, I do not know the roads to Media, or how to get there.”  Tobit said that he and Gabael had exchanged bonds, and he had left half of Gabael’s bond with the money.  Tobias went out to look for someone who knew the way to Media, and found himself face to face with the angel Raphael, who said “I have often travelled to Media, and stayed with your cousin Gabael.  Rages lies in a mountainous area while Ecbatana is in the middle of the plain.”  Tobias said he would tell his father.  Raphael replied “All right, I will wait, but do not take too long.”  Tobit said, “Call the man in, my son, so that I may learn about his family and to what tribe he belongs, and whether he is trustworthy enough to go with you.’

Raphael:  Joyous greetings to you!

Tobit:  What joy is left for me any more?   I lie in darkness like the dead who no longer see the light.   I hear people but I cannot see them.

Raphael:  Take courage.  The time is near for God to heal you.

Tobit:        My son Tobias wishes to go to Media.  Can you accompany him and guide him?  I will pay your wages, brother.

Raphael:  I can go with him and I know all the roads.

Tobit:       Brother, of what family are you and from what tribe?

Raphael:  I am Azariah, son of the great Hananiah, one of your relatives.

Tobit:     You come of good stock.  Hearty welcome!  I will pay you a drachma a day as well as expenses. 

Raphael   I will go with him; so do not fear.  The way is safe.

Tobit     Blessings be upon you, brother.  Son, prepare supplies for the journey and set out with your brother.   Have a safe journey.

Mother (weeping):  Why have you sent my child away?   Do not heap money upon     money.  For the life that is given us by the Lord is enough for us.

Tobit:      Do not worry.   Our child will return to us in good health.

So she stopped weeping. 

The Journey to Ecbatana  Chapter 6

The young man went out and the angel went with him, and the dog came out with him and went along with them…  When the first night overtook them, they camped by the Tigris river.  The the young man went down to wash his feet… Suddenly a large fish leapt up from the water and tried to swallow the young man’s foot, and he cried out.  But the angel said to him, “Catch hold of the fish and hang on to it!”  So the young man grasped the fish and drew it up on the land.  Then the angel said to him, “Cut open the fish and take out its gall, heart and liver,  for they are useful as medicine.”  So after cutting open the fish he roasted and ate some of the fish and kept some to be salted.

When they were near Media, Tobias asked about the three parts of the fish they had kept.  Raphael/Azariah replied, “As for the fish’s heart and liver, you must burn them in the presence of a man or woman afflicted by a demon or an evil spirit.  As for the gall, anoint a person’s eyes where white films have appeared on them; blow upon them and they will be healed.”

As they approached Ecbatana, Raphael, said, “Brother Tobias, we must stay this night in the home of Raguel.  He is your relative.  He has no male heir and no daughter except Sarah only. The girl is sensible, brave and very beautiful, and her father is a good man… Tonight I will speak to her father about the girl.  When we return from Rages we will celebrate her marriage.”

Tobias responded, “Brother Azariah, I have heard that she has already been married to seven husbands and that they died in the bridal chamber.  I have heard people saying that it was a demon that killed them.  So now, since I am the only son my father has, I am afraid that I may die and bring my father’s and mother’s life down to their grave, grieving.”

Raphael said, “Say no more about this demon.  When you enter the bridal chamber, take some of the fish’s liver and heart and put them on the embers of the incense.  The demon will smell it and flee.  Do not be afraid, for she was set apart for you before the world was made.”  

When Tobias learned that she was his kinswoman, he loved her very much, and his heart was drawn to her.

In the home of Raguel   Chapter 7

They found Raguel sitting by the courtyard door, and Raguel invited them in.  His wife Edna said, ”How much the young man resembles my kinsman Tobit.”  Tobias said, “He is my father!”  At that Raguel jumped up and kissed him and wept.  “O most miserable of calamities that such an upright and beneficent man has become blind!”  He then  embraced his kinsman Tobias and wept.  His wife Edna also wept for him, and their daughter Sarah likewise wept.

When they had bathed and washed themselves and had reclined to dine, Tobias said to Raphael, “Brother Azariah, ask Raguel to give my my kinswoman Sarah.”  But Raguel overheard it and said to the lad, “Eat, drink and be merry tonight.  For no one except you, brother, has the right to marry my daughter Sarah.  She is given to you in accordance with the decree in the book of Moses.  From now on you are her brother and she is your sister.  She is given to you from today and for ever.”  he wrote out a copy of the marriage contract. Then they began to eat and drink. 

Raguel called his wife Edna and said to her, “Sister get the other room ready, and take her there.”  She wept for her daughter.  Then, wiping away her tears, she said to her,  “Take courage, my daughter; the Lord of heaven grant you joy in place of your sorrow.  Take courage, my daughter.”

The Wedding  Chapters 8 + 9

When they had finished eating and drinking they wanted to retire; so they took the young man and brought him to the bedroom.  Then Tobias remembered the words of Raphael, and he took the fish’s liver and heart out of the bag and put them on the embers of the incense.  The odour of the fish so repelled the demon that he fled to the remotest parts of Egypt.  But Raphael followed him, and at once bound him there hand and foot.

When the parents had gone out and shut the door of the room, Tobias got out of bed and said to Sarah, “Sister, get up and let us pray and implore the Lord that he grant us mercy and safety.”  So she got up and they began to pray.  Tobias said: “Blessed are you, O God of our ancestors.   You said ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; let us make a helper for him like himself.’  I now am taking this kinswoman of mine, not because of lust, but with sincerity.  Grant that she and I may find mercy, and that we may grow old together.”  And they both said, “Amen, Amen.”  Then they went to sleep for the night.

BUT:  Raguel arose and called his servants to him, and they went and dug a grave, for he said, “It is possible that he will die and we will become an object of ridicule and derision.”  When they had finished digging the grave, Raguel went into the house and called his wife, saying, “Send one of the maids and have her go in to see if he is alive.  But if he is dead, let us bury him without anyone knowing it.”  So they sent the maid, lit a lamp and opened the door, and she went in and found them sound asleep together.  Then the maid came out and informed them that he was alive and that nothing was wrong.  So they blessed the God of heaven,  and Raguel said, “Blessed are you because you have made me glad, it has not turned out as I expected.   Blessed are you because you had compassion on two only children.”  Then he ordered his servants to fill in the grave before daybreak.

After this he asked his wife to bake many loaves of bread; and he went out to the herd and brought two steers and four rams and ordered them to be slaughtered.  So they began to make preparations.  Then he called for Tobias and swore an oath to him, “You shall not leave here for fourteen days, but shall stay here eating and drinking with me; and you shall cheer up my daughter who has been depressed.  Take courage , my child.  I am your father and Edna is your mother, and we belong to you as well as to your wife, now and for ever.”

Then Tobias called Raphael and said to him, “Brother Azariah, take four servants and two camels with you and travel to Rages.  Go to the home of Gabael, give him the bond, get the money, and then bring him with you to the wedding celebration.”    When Raphael got there, Gabael got up and counted out to him the money bags, with their seals intact, and they loaded them onto the camels.  In the morning they both got up early and went to the wedding celebration.  

Tobias was reclining at table.  he sprang up and greeted Gabael who wept and blessed him with the words, “Good and noble son of a father good and noble, upright and generous!  May the Lord grant the blessings of heaven to you and your wife, and to you wife’s father and mother.  Blessed be God, for I see in Tobias the very image of my cousin Tobit.”

Meanwhile in Nineveh  Chapter 10.1-7  

Tobit kept counting how many days Tobias would need for going and returning.  When his son did not appear, he said:

Tobit Is it possible that he has been detained?  Or that Gabael has died and there is no one to give him the money?

Anna My child has perished!  (weeping) Woe is me, my child, the light of my eyes, that I let you make the journey!

Tobit  Be quiet and stop worrying, my dear, he is all right.  Probably something unexpected has happened there.  He will soon be here.

Anna Be quiet yourself!  Stop trying to deceive me!  My child has perished!

She would rush out every day and watch the road her son had taken and would heed no one.  She would weep all night long, getting no sleep at all.

The Journey home   Chapter 10.7 – 11.18

After the fourteen days of the wedding celebration Tobias came to Raguel.

Tobit Send me back, for I know that my father and mother do not believe that they will see me again. 

Raguel   Stay, my child; I will send messengers to your father Tobit.” 

Tobias     No!  I beg you to send me back to my father.”  

So Raguel promptly gave Tobias his wife Sarah, as well as half his property:  male and female slaves, oxen and sheep, donkeys and camels, clothing, money and household goods.  Then he embraced Tobias.

Raguel   Farewell, my child; have a safe journey.  And may I see children of yours  before I die.

Then he kissed his daughter Sarah:

Raguel My daughter, honour your father-in- law and mother-in-law, since from now on they are as much your parents as those who gave you birth.

Edna Tobias, my child and dear brother, in the sight of God I entrust my daughter to you; do nothing to grieve her all the days of her life.   May we all prosper together.

Then she kissed them both and saw them safely off.

Arrival

When they came opposite Nineveh, Raphael said, “You are aware how we left your father. Let us run ahead of your wife.  Have the gall ready.  The medicine will make the white films shrink and peel off from his eyes, and your father will regain his sight.”  And the dog went along with them. 

Meanwhile Anna sat looking intently down the road.  She said to Tobit, “Look, your son is coming, and the man who went with him!”

Then Anna ran up to her son and threw her arms around him, saying,”Now that I have seen you, my child, I am ready to die.”  And she wept.

Then Tobit came stumbling out through the courtyard door.  Tobias went up to him, with the gall of the fish in his hand, and holding him firmly he blew into his eyes, saying , “Take courage, father.”  Then he applied the medicine on his eyes and it made them smart.  Next, with both his hands he peeled off the white films from the corners of his eyes.  Then Tobit saw his son and threw his arms around him and said to him, “I see you, my son, the light of my eyes!”  So Tobit went in rejoicing and praising God at the top of his voice.  

Then Tobit went to meet his daughter-in-law at the gate of Nineveh.  When the people of Nineveh saw him coming, walking along in full vigour and with no one leading him, they were amazed.  When Tobit met Sarah, he blessed her saying, “Come in, my daughter, and welcome.  Blessed be your God who has brought you to us, my daughter.  Come in now to your home and welcome.”   With merriment they celebrated Tobias’ wedding feast for seven days, and many gifts were given him.

Raphael/Azariah Chapters 12 + 13

Tobias and Tobit agreed that Tobit’s guide deserves a substantial bonus, and decided to give him half of all the property that Tobias had brought back from Media.  The man responded by telling them to bless God and sing his praise; to pray with fasting and to give alms.  He revealed that he was Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter before the glory of the Lord.  It was he who read the record of Tobit’s and Sarah’s prayers before the glory of the Lord.  (He was also the one sent to test Tobit after he had buried the dead  Israelite).  “When I was with you, I was not acting on my own will, but by the will of God.  Although you were watching me, I really did not eat or drink anything—but what you saw was a vision. So now get up from the ground, and acknowledge God. See, I am ascending to him who sent me.”  Then he vanished.

Tobit responded with a long psalm of praise: “Blessed be God who lives for ever.  For he afflicts, and he shows mercy, and there is nothing that can escape his hand.”

The Years Following Chapter 14

Tobit was 62 when he became blind, and he live to one hundred and twelve.  On his death bed, he said to Tobias and his seven sons “My son, take your children and hurry off to Media,”  because Nineveh would soon be destroyed, in accordance with the words of the prophets. The temple in Jerusalem would be burned, but a smaller temple would be rebuilt.  “On whatever day you bury your mother beside me, do not stay overnight.”  Then Tobias and his wife returned to Media and settled in Ecbatana with Raguel his father-in-law.  He died highly respected at the age of one hundred and seventeen years.  Before he died he rejoiced over Nineveh’s destruction and he blessed the Lord God for ever and ever.  Amen.