HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

TOBIAS 7

CHAPTER VII.

Ver. 1. Joy; though as yet he only took them for Israelites. M. --- Gr. "and they came to the house of Raguel. But Sara met them, and saluted them, as they did her, and she introduced them into the house."

Ver. 2. Anna. Gr. and Heb. Edna, "pleasure." --- Cousin. Gr. adds, "Tobit." H. --- It is not certain that they were cousin-germans. C.

Ver. 5. My. Gr. "our brother. But they replied: We know him. And he said: is he well? But they answered: He is both alive and in health. And Tobias said; He is my father."

Ver. 7. Went. Gr. "leaped up." --- A. Gr. "my good...man. And hearing that Tobit had lost his sight, he was grieved, and wept."

Ver. 9. After. Gr. "and they gave them a cordial reception. And they slew (sacrificed) a ram of the flock, and placed much food before them," (H.) to shew their regard. Gen. xviii. 6. C. --- "But Tobias said, to Raphael: Brother Azarias, mention what thou saidst to me on the road, and let the affair come to perfection. And he explained the matter to Raguel. And Raguel said: Eat and drink, and be merry. It behoveth thee to have my child. Yet I will lay the truth before thee. I gave my child to seven husbands, and when they entered in to her, they died the very night. For the present, therefore, be merry. And Tobias said: I will taste nothing here, till you produce and place her before me. And Raguel said: Take care of her henceforth, according to judgment: (H. or the law. C.) you are brother and sister. May then the merciful God grant you the greatest prosperity. And he called Sara, his daughter, and she came to her father: then taking her by the hand, he gave her," v. 15. H. --- S. Ambrose (Off. iii. 14.) reads in the same manner, (C.) and commends the candour of Raguel in disclosing the truth, though it might have prevented his daughter from marrying; (W.) a case where people allow themselves (C.) too much liberty, in concealing defects. H.

Ver. 14. Moses. It was not so much in force during the captivity, particularly as Raguel had only moveables; and therefore the seven former husbands had not been near relations. M. --- It was a disgrace to refuse marrying a relation, who was an heiress. Num. xxxvi. 6. Ruth iv. 6. C.

Ver. 15. Hand. This was the mode of confirming agreements, in Media. Alex. Genial v. 3. --- The custom prevailed in marriages, (Lament. v. 6. Isai. lxii. 8.) as it does still among Christians. --- It. Gr. "her for a wife to Tobias, and said: Behold: take care of her according to the law of Moses, and go to thy father. And he blessed them. And he called Edna, his wife, and taking a book, wrote a note, (H. or contract. C.) and sealed it, and they began to eat." H. --- It was almost universally the custom to have such writings, particularly where polygamy prevailed. The wives of lower condition were taken without formality. C.

Ver. 18. Chamber. Different from that where they kept the feast, and perhaps (H.) not the same with the nuptial chamber, which had been so unfortunate, in order that Sara might not be so much alarmed. C.

Ver. 19. Wept, at the recollection of what had happened. M.

Ver. 20. And she. Gr. adds, "received the tears of her daughter; and said, have confidence, child." --- For the. Gr. "instead of this sorrow, have a good heart, daughter." H.