“The book of the words of Tobit, son of Tobiel, the son of Ananiel, the son of Aduel, the son of Gabael, of the seed of Asael, of the tribe of Nephthali;”
Tobias, “good God,” (Tirinus) is styled Tobis, by the ancient Latin version and St. Ambrose, and Tobit by the Greek and Syriac. These copies and the Hebrew give a genealogy which does not agree. (Calmet) — Grabe’s edition, “The book of the words (or transactions) of Tobit, Son of Tobiel, son of Ananiel, son of Adouel, (manuscript has Nave) son of Galael, (manuscript, Gamael) of the seed of Asiel, of the tribe of Nephthali, (2) who was made captive in the days of Enemessar, king of the Assyrians, from Thisbe, (manuscript, Thibe) which is on the right properly (manuscript, of Kudis; Haydock) or Cades, capital (Calmet) of Nephthali in Galilee, above Aser. I, Tobit, walked in the ways of truth and of justice all the days of my life.” (Haydock) — Nehemias and the prophets frequently speak of themselves in the first person. The truth of the history is the same. (Du Hamel) — Beyond, or behind; (post; Haydock) as the Hebrews speak with reference to a man turned towards the east. Hence this way would be on the west, and Sephet on the north.
“Who in the time of Enemessar king of the Assyrians was led captive out of Thisbe, which is at the right hand of that city, which is called properly Nephthali in Galilee above Aser.”
Salmanasar. When Osee was conquered, in the year of the world 3283. See 4 Kings xvii. 6. — Truth. His constancy in the observance of the true religion was so much the more wonderful, as he was rich, and lived among the wicked. (Calmet)
“I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the ways of truth and justice, and I did many almsdeeds to my brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Nineve, into the land of the Assyrians.”
Kindred. Greek adds, “who went along with me….to Ninive.”
“And when I was in mine own country, in the land of Israel being but young, all the tribe of Nephthali my father fell from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, where the temple of the habitation of the most High was consecrated and built for all ages.”
Younger. “Very young,” (Haydock) or the youngest of those who administered their own affairs. The parents of Tobias were deceased. (Calmet) — Greek, “when I was young in my country, in the land of Israel, all the tribe,” &c.
“Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.”
All, or the greatest part; (Haydock) for some still feared God; (chap. ii. 2.; Worthington) and the Greek of chap. v. 14 or 19 informs us that Ananias and Jonathan accompanied Tobias. (Haydock) — Greek is more diffuse. (Calmet) — (4) “All the tribe of Nephthali, of my father, departed from the house of Jerusalem, which city had been chosen from all the tribes of Israel, for all the tribes to offer sacrifice; and the temple of the tabernacle of the most High was sanctified, and was built for ever; (5) and all the tribes, apostatizing together, sacrificed to Baal, to the heifer; (Comp. ed., to the power of Baal) and the house of Nephthali, of my father, likewise. (6) And I alone went frequently to Jerusalem, at the feasts” (Haydock) of the Passover, &e. (Menochius) — The other versions are nearly similar. (Calmet) — But we cannot specify all these variations. (Haydock) — The number has induced some to conclude, not improbably, that there were two originals; (Tirinus) the Syriac by the elder, and the Chaldee by the younger Tobias. (Justiniani.) — But this is destitute of proof. (Calmet)
“The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the sons of Aaron, who ministered at Jerusalem: another tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it every year at Jerusalem:”
Strangers. See Deuteronomy xiv. 28., (Menochius) Leviticus xxvii. 30. (Calmet) — Greek, “And the third I gave to whom it belonged, as Debbora, my father’s mother, ordered me, as I was left an orphan by my father; (9) and when I was,” &c. (Haydock)
“Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married Anna of mine own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias.”
Man. The Jews married young: but the time was not fixed. (Calmet) — After. Greek, “Tobias.” They always style the father Tobit. (Haydock)
“But I kept myself from eating;”
Ninive, called Ninus by Pliny, &c. (Menochius) — It was so large, as easily to receive a whole tribe, which was sold for slaves. (Calmet)
“Because I remembered God with all my heart.”
Meats, such as had been immolated to idols, (Menochius) or were forbidden to the Jews. (Calmet)
“And I went into Media, and left in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabrias, at Rages a city of Media ten talents of silver.”
And he. Greek, “I was his marketter,” (Haydock) to provide provisions for the palace. “He set me over all he had, till the day of his death.” (Munster.) — But this Hebrew author has probably exaggerated the matter, to make Tobias appear as great as he could. These editions add no more, continuing, (15) “And I went into Media, and I deposited with Gabael, or Gabelus,” &c.
“And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren, and gave my bread to the hungry,”
Rages means “rupture,” by frequent earthquakes, and was (Menochius; Calmet) the residence of the Parthian kings, in spring, (Athen. xii. 2.) in the mountain, separating their country from Media. — Honoured for his salary. (Calmet)
“And my clothes to the naked: and if I saw any of my nation dead, or cast about the walls of Nineve, I buried him.”
Money. People might formerly make use of what was merely deposited in their hands. (Ulpian.) — The old Latin version has, “I committed to him ten talents in gold.”
“And if the king Sennacherib had slain any, when he was come, and fled from Judea, I buried them privily; for in his wrath he killed many; but the bodies were not found, when they were sought for of the king.”
Time. Salmanasar reigned fourteen years; seven after the captivity, which to people in distress would appear long. (Calmet) — Greek, “And after Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib, his son, reigned in his stead; and his ways ceased, (or his high roads were stopped) and I could no longer go into Media.” (Haydock) — We find nothing in history to confirm this stoppage: (Calmet) but it might be in consequence of the wars. (Houbigant) See the preface. (Haydock) — Israel. This hatred was augmented, after the unfortunate expedition into Palestine. (Calmet) (Menochius) (4 Kings xix. 35.)
“And when one of the Ninevites went and complained of me to the king, that I buried them, and hid myself; understanding that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear.”
Goods, under Sennacherib; though he was now deprived of his place. (Calmet) — Greek, Syriac, and Hebrew insinuate, that this happened under his predecessor. (Haydock)
“Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, neither was there any thing left me, beside my wife Anna and my son Tobias.”
Slain, by order or connivance of Sennacherib. (Menochius) — Tobias buried the dead, out of charity, and the belief of a future resurrection. Hence arises the respect for tombs and the relics of the saints. (Calmet) — The pagans imagined that the souls could not rest till their bodies were interred. (Homer, Virgil vii., &c.) (Calmet)
Loved him, even of the Assyrians. The Jews were not able to afford him shelter. (Menochius)
Forty. Arabic, twenty-five; Greek and Syriac, fifty; other Greek copies, fifty-five days. Fagius says Tobias was hidden nineteen days. It seems, therefore, we should date these forty-five days from the return of Sennacherib. — Sons. See 4 Kings xix. 37., and Isaias xxxvii. 38. (Calmet) — Greek adds, “and they fled to the mountains of Ararat, and Sacherdoc, (our Assaraddon) his son, reigned in his stead; and he appointed Achiachar Anael, the son of my brother, over all the accounts of his kingdom, and over all his government. And Achiachar petitioned for me; and I came to Ninive. But Achiachar was cup-bearer, (Alexandrian manuscript, receiver of wine) and keeper of the ring, and governor and keeper of accounts; and Sacherdonosos gave him the second place. But he was my nephew. And when I returned to my house, and my wife Anna, and my son Tobias, were restored to me, at the feast of Pentecost,” &c. (Haydock) — This seems contrary to ver. 23. Yet the Hebrew copies agree in this particular, and mention the dignity of Akikar. But we may judge what credit these additions deserve. (Calmet) — They merit some attention, as they may be original. See Preface. (Haydock)