The Book of Tobit is a text contained in the LXX and the Catholic Bible but not longer accepted in the Hebrew Bible after Council of Jamnia like the other Deuterocanonical Books. It has come down to us in greek on the basis of a lost aramaic prototext written in Judea around 200 BC; fragments in aramaic have been found in Qumran.
It is composed of 14 chapters describing the story of Tobi, set in the 8th-7th century BC Deported by the Assyrians, he becomes blind. His son Tobias goes on a journey, meets and marries Sarah, and upon his return he heals Tobi with the help of the Raphael.
Contents[]
The Book of Tobit presents a naive and delightful story, which condenses the Jewish piety that has matured throughout the history of Israel. The protagonists are two related families, who live respectively in Nineveh and near Ecbatana. The pious Tobit, having become blind, does not lose faith in God. He sends his son Tobias to Media, in the town of Rages, to a relative, Gabael, to collect the money he had deposited with him. Tobias is accompanied on the journey by the angel Raphael, who appears to him incognito. During the journey, having arrived in Ecbatana, he marries Raguel's daughter, Sarah, who had already been married seven times but whose husbands had died on their wedding night. He saves himself by praying and burning the heart and liver of a fish caught during the journey in the bridal chamber. Having recovered the money deposited with Gabael, upon the couple's return to Nineveh, the fish's gall heals the eyes of their father Tobit. Raphael finally reveals his identity. The narration is accompanied by extensive texts of religious reflection and prayers.
Characteristics[]
The historical framework presented in the story is inconsistent, it brings together disparate, vague and even inaccurate references. In reality, these historical reminiscences are drawn from the past to create the background for a fictionalized story, in which characters created to show the exemplary virtues of a pious Israelite are brought to life. The teaching highlighted most concerns the duty to bury the dead and to marry a woman of one's own relatives. The author also shows how trials and setbacks are not lacking, even when one is pious and attentive to the needs of others. These, however, are overcome with the help that God does not fail to provide and which is revealed at the right time.