Tobit
Chapter 9
Tobiah called Raphael and said to him,
“Brother Azarias, please take with you a manservant and two camels and go to Rages in Media.
Call on Gabael, give him the receipt, and recover the money. Then invite Gabael to the wedding feast. You saw that Raguel made me swear an oath, so I may not depart from this house without breaking the oath.
Yet you know that my father is counting the days, and if I delay longer than necessary, he will be worried.
Raphael headed to Rages in Media and spent the night at Gabael’s house. Raphael handed him the receipt, and Gabael brought out the sealed bags of money, giving them to him.
The next morning, they woke up early and headed to the wedding. When they entered Raguel’s house, they saw Tobiah at the table. Gabael went over to him and hugged him. He wept and blessed Tobiah, saying: “Good and worthy man, son of a good and honest father, a man who is just and compassionate, may the Lord of Heaven bless you and your wife. May He also bless the father and mother of your wife. Blessed be God because I have seen Tobiah, my cousin, who is so much like his father.”
Commentaries
Sarah’s Wedding.
We can divide this section into several scenes: the arrival at Raguel’s house and the welcoming of guests as part of Eastern hospitality (7:1-8); the wedding preparations; Tobias, already eager to marry Sarah based on reputation, does not want to miss this night without being united with her (7:9-17). The exorcism with the fish’s liver causes Asmodeus to flee. This scene ends with the prayer of Tobias and Sarah (8:5-8). Some commentators suggest a scene of dark humor is woven in here: Raguel, who is already “accustomed” to burying her daughters’ seven husbands, secretly digs a grave for the eighth; yet, spies from the bridal chamber happily announce that Tobias is still alive after the marriage is consummated with Sarah (8:10-18). Lastly, the scene of recovering the money—Tobias’ original reason for the journey—but whose mission is completed by Raphael (9:1-6). The chapter ends with a wedding celebration atmosphere at Raguel’s house.