Tobit 5

Then Tobias answered and said to him, “Father, I will do all things, whatever you have commanded me.

But how could I receive the money, since I don’t know him?”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 2. I cannot. Greek “as I know him not; and he gave him the handwriting, and said to him: Seek,” and so forth Bible.—The Greek and so forth had not before noticed this token. Calmet.—Hitherto Tobit had spoken in the first person. Bible.

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3

He gave him the handwriting, and said to him, “Seek a man who will go with you, and I will give him wages, while I still live; and go and receive the money.”

4

He went to seek a man, and found Raphael who was an angel;

5

and he didn’t know it. He said to him, “Can I go with you to Rages of Media? Do you know those places well?”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 5. Beautiful; resplendent with celestial majesty. Calmet.—Greek “he found Raphael, who was an angel, and he knew it not, and said to him: Canst thou go with me to Rages, of Media, and art thou acquainted with the places?” Bible.—This angel prefigured Jesus Christ, who took indeed Our human nature. V. Bede. Worthington.

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6

The angel said to him, “I will go with you. I know the way well. I have lodged with our brother Gabael.”

7

Tobias said to him, “Wait for me, and I will tell my father.”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 7. Israel. This is not in Greek, and so forth But the old Vulg. has, “Raphael answered, of the children of Israel, thy brethren, I am come hither for work,” ( Bible.) or employment. Calmet.

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8

He said to him, “Go, and don’t wait. And he went in and said to his father, “Behold, I have found someone who will go with me.” But he said, “Call him to me, that I may know of what tribe he is, and whether he be a trustworthy man to go with you.”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 8. Often. Greek “lodged with Gabael, our brother, and Tobias,” and so forth

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9

So he called him, and he came in, and they saluted one another.

10

And Tobit said to him, “Brother, of what tribe and of what family are you? Tell me.”

11

He said to him, “Do you seek a tribe and a family, or a hired man which will go with your son?” And Tobit said to him, “I want to know, brother, your kindred and your name.”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 11. He saluted. Greek “they saluted each other.” Bible.—The rest till verse 16, is omitted also in Syr. and Fagius. But the Hebrew of Munster nearly agrees with the Vulg. Calmet.

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12

And he said, “I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the great, of your kindred.”

13

And he said to him, “Welcome, brother. Don’t be angry with me, because I sought to know your tribe and family. You are my brother, of an honest and good lineage; for I knew Ananias and Jathan, the sons of Shemaiah the great, when we went together to Jerusalem to worship, and offered the firstborn, and the tenths of our increase; and they didn’t go astray in the error of our kindred. My brother, you are of a great stock.

14

But tell me, what wages shall I give you? A drachma a day, and those things that be necessary for you, as to my son?

15

And moreover, if you both return safe and sound, I will add something to your wages.”

16

And so they agreed. And he said to Tobias, “Prepare yourself for the journey. May God prosper you.” So his son prepared what was needful for the journey, and his father said to him, “Go with this man; but God, who dwells in heaven, will prosper your journey. May his angel go with you.” Then they both departed, and the young man’s dog went with them.

17

But Anna his mother wept, and said to Tobit, “Why have you sent away our child? Isn’t he the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us?

18

Don’t be greedy to add money to money; but let it be as refuse compared to our child.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 18. But lest. Greek Comp. “and Tobit said, brother, I wish to know thy race and thy name. But he replied, I am of the race of Azarias, and of Ananias, who is also thy brother.” Whitaker would have this to be a lie. Bible.—But the apparitions of angels are not to be examined by the ordinary rules of life. They take the name of God without scruple, as they acted in his name. Genesis 31:11. Calmet. Menochius. Tirinus.—Azarias. The angel took the form of Azarias; and therefore might call himself by the name of the man whom he personated. Azarias, in Hebrew, signifies the help of God; and Ananias, the grace of God. Challoner.—Tobias had not inquired whether he was a man or an angel, as Houbigant answers the objection of Prideaux. Bible.—The “help and medicine of God” nearly correspond. Worthington.

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19

For what the Lord has given us to live is enough for us.”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 19. Thy family. Greek Syr. and so forth add, “Thou art my brother, of a noble and good race. For I know Ananias and Jonathan, sons of the great Semei, as we went together to Jerusalem to adore, carrying the first-born, and tithes of the produce; and they did not join in the error of their brethren. Thou art of a great stock, brother. But tell me what reward I shall give thee? A drachm a day, and what may be requisite for thee and for my son. And I will give more than the hire if you return in health. And they agreed; and he said to Tobias, Be in readiness for the journey, and may you be directed: and his son prepared the requisites for the journey,” and so forth Bible.

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20

Tobit said to her, “Don’t worry, my sister. He will return safe and sound, and your eyes will see him.

21

For a good angel will go with him. His journey will be prospered, and he will return safe and sound.”

22

So she stopped weeping.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 22. Then all. It was not easy to procure provisions on the road.—Together. Greek and Syr. add, ( Calmet.) “and the dog of the child with them.”

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