Topical Encyclopedia The Book of Tobit is an ancient Jewish work that is part of the Apocrypha, a collection of texts included in the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate but not in the Hebrew Bible. It is considered canonical by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches but is regarded as apocryphal by most Protestant traditions. The narrative is set in the 8th century BC during the Assyrian exile and is primarily a didactic tale that combines elements of folklore, wisdom literature, and religious instruction.Authorship and Date The authorship of the Book of Tobit is unknown, and the text itself does not provide explicit information about its author. Scholars generally date the composition of the book to the 3rd or 2nd century BC, based on linguistic and thematic analysis. The book was likely written in Aramaic or Hebrew, with the Greek version being the most complete and widely used today. Structure and Content The Book of Tobit is a narrative that follows the life of Tobit, a righteous Israelite of the tribe of Naphtali, who lives in Nineveh after being exiled from the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The account is divided into several key sections: 1. Tobit's Piety and Misfortune: Tobit is depicted as a devout and charitable man who adheres to the Law of Moses. Despite his righteousness, he suffers misfortune, including blindness, due to bird droppings falling into his eyes (Tobit 2:10). 2. Tobias's Journey: Tobit sends his son Tobias on a journey to retrieve a sum of money he had deposited in Media. Tobias is accompanied by the angel Raphael, who appears in disguise as a human guide (Tobit 5:4-6). 3. Sarah's Plight: Concurrently, the narrative introduces Sarah, a young woman plagued by a demon named Asmodeus, who has killed her seven successive husbands on their wedding nights (Tobit 3:8). 4. Divine Intervention and Resolution: With Raphael's guidance, Tobias successfully retrieves the money and marries Sarah. Raphael instructs Tobias on how to drive away the demon, using a fish's liver and heart to protect his marriage (Tobit 6:7-8). 5. Tobit's Healing and Thanksgiving: Upon returning home, Tobias uses the fish's gall to cure Tobit's blindness. The family rejoices, and Tobit offers a prayer of thanksgiving, acknowledging God's mercy and justice (Tobit 11:13-15). Theological Themes The Book of Tobit emphasizes several key theological themes: · Providence and Faithfulness: The narrative underscores God's providential care for those who remain faithful to His commandments, even in times of suffering and exile. · Almsgiving and Righteousness: Tobit's acts of charity and adherence to the Law are highlighted as virtues that align with God's will, reflecting the importance of righteous living. · Marriage and Family: The book presents marriage as a sacred institution, with Tobias and Sarah's union serving as a model of divine blessing and protection. · Angelic Mediation: The role of the angel Raphael illustrates the belief in angelic intervention and guidance in human affairs, a theme that resonates with biblical accounts of angelic messengers. Canonical Status and Influence While not included in the Jewish or Protestant canons, the Book of Tobit has been influential in Christian art and literature, particularly in the context of marriage and divine intervention. Its inclusion in the Septuagint and the Vulgate has ensured its place in the liturgical and theological traditions of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The book's moral teachings and narrative style continue to be appreciated for their spiritual insights and literary qualities. Smith's Bible Dictionary Book Of Tobita book of the Apocryphal which exists at present in Greek, Latin, Syriac and Hebrew texts, but it was probably written originally in Greek. The scene of the book is placed in Assyria, whither Tobit, a Jew, had been carried as a captive by Shalmaneser. It is represented and completed shortly after the fall of Nineveh (B.C. 606), Tob. 14:15, and written, in the main, some time before. Tob. 12:20. But the whole tone of the narrative bespeaks a later age and above all, the doctrine of good and evil spirits is elaborated in a form which belongs to a period considerably posterior to the Babylonian captivity. Asmodeus iii. 8; vi. 14; viii. 3; Raphael xii. 15. It cannot be regarded as a true history. It is a didactic narrative and its point lies in the moral lessons which it conveys, and not in the incidents. In modern times the moral excellence of the book has been rated highly, except in the heat of controversy. Nowhere else is there preserved so complete and beautiful a picture of the domestic life of the Jews after the return. Almost every family relation is touched upon with natural grace and affection. A doctrinal feature of the book is the firm belief in a glorious restoration of the Jewish people. Tob. 14:5; 13:9-18. But the restoration contemplated is national, and not the work of a universal Saviour. 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