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.
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)
Kindred. Greek adds, “who went along with me….to Ninive.”
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.
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)
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)
Man. The Jews married young: but the time was not fixed. (Calmet) — After. Greek, “Tobias.” They always style the father Tobit. (Haydock)
Ninive, called Ninus by Pliny, &c. (Menochius) — It was so large, as easily to receive a whole tribe, which was sold for slaves. (Calmet)