Tobit 14

Verse 1. Words. Greek “confession; (or hymn of praise) and he was 58 years old when he lost his sight, which he recovered eight years after, and gave alms, and continued to fear the Lord God, and to confess unto him. Now he arrived at a very advanced age,” 158, verse 10. Bible.—But this chronology must be abandoned. All the versions disagree; and perhaps there may be none perfectly accurate. Calmet.

Verse 2. Two. Arab. and Schol. History, read “twelve.”

Verse 5. Seven. Greek Comp. and Alex. as well as Fagius, have only “six.”

Verse 6. The. Greek “Son, take thy children. Behold, I am grown old, and my life is hastening to an end. Depart into Media, my son, for I believe all that the prophet, Jonas, spoke concerning Ninive, that it will be overturned. But in Media there will be more peace for a time, and that our brethren in the land will be scattered from the good land; and Jerusalem shall be deserted, and the house of God in it will be burnt, and shall be abandoned for a time; and they shall build the house, not like the former, till the times of the world or age be accomplished; and afterwards they shall return from the captives, and shall build Jerusalem gloriously; and the house of God shall be built in it, and the edifice shall be glorious for ever, as the prophets have spoken concerning it; and all the Gentiles shall turn truly to fear the Lord God, and shall undermine (and destroy) their idols; and all the Gentiles shall bless the Lord,” and so forth verse 9. Bible.—This text is of importance, as it specifies the name of Jonas, and is quoted by S. Jerom; (ibid.) though Nahum (3:8) and Sophonias (2:13) also foretold the destruction of Ninive. It speaks of the future, and not of the past ruin, of the temple, which certainly took place after the death of Tobias. Calmet.—The prophets, however, frequently speak of future events, as if they were past, to shew the certainty of their predictions. Bible.

Verse 8. In it. Let the Jews shew when this was accomplished. We can easily point out the nations converted from idolatry to the Church of Christ, as the prophets foretold. Jeremiah 3:17 and 16:19. Calmet.—It cannot, therefore, be understood of the temporal Jerusalem. Worthington.

Verse 9. And. Greek “And his people shall confess to God, and the Lord shall exalt his people, and all shall rejoice who love the Lord God in truth and justice, shewing mercy to our brethren. And now, son, depart from Ninive; for what the prophet, Jonas, spoke, shall surely be accomplished.” Bible.—This prediction was conditional, as was also the pardon of the people, who were justly punished for their relapse. Menochius.

Verse 10. Seek with diligence, not barely doing what you are commanded. Bible.—Greek is much more diffuse. Calmet.—“But do thou keep the law and the ordinances, be a lover of alms-deeds, and just, that it may be well with thee. Bury me with decency, and thy mother with me, and tarry then no longer at Ninive. Son, behold what Aman (Syr. Acab.) did to Achiachar, who fed him, how he conducted him from light into darkness, and what return he made him. Now, Achiachar met with safety: but he received his due, and he went down into darkness. Manasses gave alms, and was rescued from the snare of death, which was laid for him: but Aman fell into the snare, and perished. And now, son, behold the effects of alms-deeds, and how justice brings deliverance. While he was speaking these things, his soul failed upon the bed: but he was 150 years old, and he buried him honourably.” Bible.—The allusion to Aman seems improper, he lived many years after the captivity; ( Calmet.) or rather it may refer to some other history (Houbigant) with which we are not acquainted. Bible.

Verse 14. And. Greek “And when Anna, his mother, was dead; he buried her with his father. But Tobias departed with his wife and sons to Ecbatana, to Raguel, his father-in-law, and lived to an honourable old age; and he buried honourably his father and mother-in-law, and he inherited their substance, as well as that of his father, Tobit.” Bible.

Verse 15. Fifth. Including himself. He might see the offspring of his great grandson, if he lived only 70 years after his marriage. Calmet.