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They came to Ecbatana, and arrived at the house of Raguel. But Sarah met them; and she greeted them, and they her. Then she brought them into the house.
Verse 1. Joy; though as yet he only took them for Israelites. Menochius.—Greek “and they came to the house of Raguel. But Sara met them, and saluted them, as they did her, and she introduced them into the house.”
Raguel said to Edna his wife, “This young man really resembles Tobit my cousin!”
Verse 2. Anna. Greek and Hebrew Edna, “pleasure.”—Cousin. Greek adds, “Tobit.” Bible.—It is not certain that they were cousin-germans. Calmet.
And Raguel asked them, “Where are you two from, kindred?” They said to him, “We are of the sons of Naphtali, who are captives in Nineveh.”
He said to them, “Do you know Tobit our brother?” They said, “We know him.” Then he said to them, “Is he in good health?”
They said, “He is both alive, and in good health.” Tobias said, “He is my father.”
Verse 5. My. Greek “our brother. But they replied: We know him. And he said: is he well? But they answered: He is both alive and in health. And Tobias said; He is my father.”
And Raguel sprang up, and kissed him, wept,
blessed him, and said to him, “You are the son of an honest and good man.” When he had heard that Tobit had lost his sight, he was grieved, and wept;
Verse 7. Went. Greek “leaped up.”—A. Greek “my good … man. And hearing that Tobit had lost his sight, he was grieved, and wept.”
and Edna his wife and Sarah his daughter wept. They received them gladly; and they killed a ram of the flock, and served them meat. But Tobias said to Raphael, “Brother Azarias, speak of those things of which you talked about in the way, and let the matter be finished.”
So he communicated the thing to Raguel. Raguel said to Tobias, “Eat, drink, and make merry:
Verse 9. After. Greek “and they gave them a cordial reception. And they slew (sacrificed) a ram of the flock, and placed much food before them,” ( Bible.) to shew their regard. Genesis 18:6. Calmet.—“But Tobias said, to Raphael: Brother Azarias, mention what thou saidst to me on the road, and let the affair come to perfection. And he explained the matter to Raguel. And Raguel said: Eat and drink, and be merry. It behoveth thee to have my child. Yet I will lay the truth before thee. I gave my child to seven husbands, and when they entered in to her, they died the very night. For the present, therefore, be merry. And Tobias said: I will taste nothing here, till you produce and place her before me. And Raguel said: Take care of her henceforth, according to judgment: ( Bible. or the law. Calmet.) you are brother and sister. May then the merciful God grant you the greatest prosperity. And he called Sara, his daughter, and she came to her father: then taking her by the hand, he gave her,” verse 15. Bible.—Saint Ambrose (Off. iii. 14.) reads in the same manner, ( Calmet.) and commends the candour of Raguel in disclosing the truth, though it might have prevented his daughter from marrying; ( Worthington.) a case where people allow themselves ( Calmet.) too much liberty, in concealing defects. Bible.
for it belongs to you to take my child. However I will tell you the truth.
I have given my child to seven men of our relatives, and whenever they came in to her, they died in the night. But for the present be merry.” And Tobias said, “I will taste nothing here, until you all make a covenant and enter into that covenant with me.”
Raguel said, “Take her to yourself from now on according to custom. You are her relative, and she is yours. The merciful God will give all good success to you.”
And he called his daughter Sarah, and took her by the hand, and gave her to be wife of Tobias, and said, “Behold, take her to yourself after the law of Moses, and lead her away to your father.” And he blessed them.
He called Edna his wife, then took a book, wrote a contract, and sealed it.
Verse 14. Moses. It was not so much in force during the captivity, particularly as Raguel had only moveables; and therefore the seven former husbands had not been near relations. Menochius.—It was a disgrace to refuse marrying a relation, who was an heiress. Numbers 36:6. Ruth 4:6. Calmet.
Then they began to eat.
Verse 15. Hand. This was the mode of confirming agreements, in Media. Alex. Genial verse 3.—The custom prevailed in marriages, (Lament. 5:6. Isaiah 62:8) as it does still among Christians.—It. Greek “her for a wife to Tobias, and said: Behold: take care of her according to the law of Moses, and go to thy father. And he blessed them. And he called Edna, his wife, and taking a book, wrote a note, ( Bible. or contract. Calmet.) and sealed it, and they began to eat.” Bible.—It was almost universally the custom to have such writings, particularly where polygamy prevailed. The wives of lower condition were taken without formality. Calmet.
And Raguel called his wife Edna, and said to her, “Sister, prepare the other chamber, and bring her in there.”
She did as he asked her, and brought her in there. She wept, and she received the tears of her daughter, and said to her,
“Be comforted, my child. May the Lord of heaven and earth give you favor for this your sorrow. Be comforted, my daughter.”
Verse 18. Chamber. Different from that where they kept the feast, and perhaps ( Bible.) not the same with the nuptial chamber, which had been so unfortunate, in order that Sara might not be so much alarmed. Calmet.
Many ancient authorities read joy.