Tobit
TOBIT
The Book. The Book of Tobit has been praised by many commentators in the past as devotional reading for Christian families; today, we are hesitant to make such a judgment. It took time to establish itself as a canonical text, and it was later rejected as such by the Protestant reformers. While the plot may have been entertaining and surprising, the author struggled to develop it effectively.
The parallel structure of Chapter 4 and the mystery surrounding the angel’s identity are effective. However, the angel misuses his knowledge by revealing upcoming events, which periodically reduces the narrative’s interest. There is one amusing scene with macabre humor (8); some vivid details occasionally enliven the story. We are concerned by the lack of dramatic tension, the easy reliance on the marvelous, the repetitive speeches and prayers, and the use of tears to express emotion. These are conventions of the period that no longer work today.
Tobit manages to engage our interest. Raphael resembles a “domestication” of the angelic; I mean that his mission shifts from the grand narrative to a family affair. Tobias is almost an anti-character, there to ask questions and receive instructions from the angel; without having fought or won, he reaches the peak of happiness when he inherits his parents’ and in-laws’ property.
Time and Author. The book was written during the Hellenistic era, possibly as late as the 3rd century B.C. The author remains unknown. It shows all the signs of being a Greek translation of a Semitic original, most likely Hebrew. The language is somewhat unfortunate, and this flaw is not solely the translator’s fault.
Religious Message. The book’s spirituality centers on the theme of “observance.” Tobit performs heroic acts by burying his compatriots, yet washing his hands before eating seems equally important to the author. The significance of almsgiving is clear, and the wealth it produces is definitely valued. The focus on marrying within the family appears excessive; marriage is mainly a legal matter. A precept is cited or referenced multiple times to justify actions in the book, which then serves as a story illustration of the Law.
On the other hand, the prayers show sincere piety, gratitude, and trust in God. The son heals his father by restoring his sight, symbolizing the light of life. As a continuation of the family, he represents the community of the tribe and the nation. The angel, on behalf of the people, establishes the Genesis and patriarchal blessing of fertility. Sarah symbolizes a threatened matriarch, the destined woman who waits for the man.
Exile and diaspora cannot weaken the bonds of loyalty to God, His law, and one’s fellow countrymen. Standing on the edge of hope, Jerusalem rises.