Tobit 8

Verse 1. To her, in the nuptial chamber. See Genesis 29:23.

Verse 2. Bag, (cassidili) resembling a wallet or pannier, for provisions. Calmet.—Liver. Calmet. 6:8. This mystically represented the Passion of Christ, by which the devil is expelled from men’s hearts. Saint Augustine ser. 28, de Sanct. Prosper, promis. ii. chapter 39. Worthington.—Greek “and he took the ashes of incense, and placed thereon the heart of the fish and the liver, causing them to smoke. And when the devil perceived the odour, he fled to the highest parts of Egypt, and the angel bound him,” ( Bible.) confining his malice to those deserts. Jesus Christ insinuates that the devil walks through dry places. Matthew 12:24. The angel was not seen to absent himself: Calmet.—This country was chosen as being very remote from Media. Houbigant.—It was afterwards sanctified by the presence of many Christian solitaries. Bible.—Our adversaries laugh at this account. But surely Christ has used similar expressions of binding the devil, who cannot molest people, when he is not present; (Houbigant) or do any thing without the divine permission. Calmet. 6:17. Bible.

Verse 4. Then. Greek “and when they were shut up together, Tobias ascended the bed, (κλινης, on which it was customary to sit, ( Bible.) or rather according to the Rom. edition, he rose from the bed) and said, Arise, sister, and let us pray, that the Lord may take pity on us. And Tobias began to say,” verse 7. Bible.—The rest is omitted. Calmet.

Verse 7. Lord. Greek “Blessed art thou, the God of our fathers, and blessed is thy name, holy and glorious for ever. May the heavens and all thy creatures bless thee.” Bible.

Verse 8. Of. Greek “And gavest him Eve for his wife, an assistant, and a support. From these all the seed of men was formed. Thou didst say, It is not good for man to be alone: Let us make for him a helper like unto himself. And now Lord,” and so forth

Verse 9. Only. Greek “for truth,” resolving to be ever faithful to her. Bible.—We cannot read the pure sentiments of Tobias and Sara, brought up in the midst of infidels, without surprise. Nothing more perfect could be required of Christians ( Calmet.) in the married state. Bible.—Saint Augustine (Doct. x. and xviii.) adduces this text to shew the true intent of marriage.

Verse 10. And. Greek “Order pity to be shewn me, and that I may grow old with this woman. And she said along with him, Amen. And they both slept the night,” probably on separate beds, verse 15. Bible.

Verse 11. It. Greek “Raguel arising, went and dug a grave, saying, lest this man also should die. Then Raguel came to his own house, and said to Edna, his wife.”

Verse 14. Dead. Greek “alive. But if not, that I may bury him, and no body may know,” The custom of burying too soon ought to be avoided, as many have thus been consigned to the tomb before they were really dead!

Verse 15. Together. In the same chamber, ( Bible.) or with their clothes on. Serar. q. 21. The Vulg. specifies that the three first nights were to be spent in continence. But the other versions are silent on this head. Calmet.—Greek “And the girl entered, having opened the door, and found the two sleeping; and going out, she told them that he was alive. And Raguel blessed,” and so forth

Verse 17. And. Greek “saying, Blessed art thou, O God, in all pure and holy benediction; and may all thy saints, and all thy creatures, bless thee. Yea, may all thy angels, and thy elect, bless thee for all ages. Blessed art thou, because thou hast filled me with joy, and it has not happened as I suspected: but thou hast done unto us according to thy great mercy. And,” verse 19.

Verse 19. Make. Greek “Shew them mercy, Lord. Perfect their life in health, with gladness and mercy. But he ordered his domestics to fill up the grave, and he made them a marriage feast for fourteen days. And,” verse 23. The ancient Vulg. seems rather more conformable to the present. “Raguel ordered his wife to make several loaves, and going himself to the flock, he brought two cows and four rams, and ordered them to prepare a feast. He called Tobias, and swore to him, saying, Thou shalt not depart hence these 14 days, but remain here eating and drinking with me, and shalt fill with joy me and my daughter, who has been greatly afflicted. Receive half of my goods, and thou shalt return safe and sound to thy father; and after my death, and that of my wife, thou shalt have the other half.” Bible.—Greek and Hebrew mention nothing of the beasts slaughtered, or of Raguel’s testament. Calmet.

Verse 21. Journey. He expected that Tobias would proceed to Rages. Menochius.