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*H Tobias of the tribe and city of Nephtali, (which is in the upper parts of Galilee above Naasson, beyond the way that leadeth to the west, having on the right hand the city of Sephet,)
Ver. 1. Tobias, "good God," (T.) is styled Tobis, by the ancient Latin version and S. Ambrose, and Tobit by the Greek and Syriac. These copies and the Heb. give a genealogy which does not agree. C. — Grabe's edit. "The book of the words (or transactions) of Tobit, Son of Tobiel, son of Ananiel, son of Adouel, (MS. has Nave) son of Galael, (MS. Gamael) of the seed of Asiel, of the tribe of Nephthali, (2) who was made captive in the days of Enemessar, king of the Assyrians, from Thisbe, (MS. Thibe) which is on the right properly (MS. of Kudis. H. or Cades, capital. C.) of Nephthali in Galilee, above Aser. I, Tobit, walked in the ways of truth and of justice all the days of my life." H. — Nehemias and the prophets frequently speak of themselves in the first person. The truth of the history is the same. D. — Beyond, or behind; (post. H.) as the Hebrews speak with reference to a man turned towards the east. Hence this way would be on the west, and Sephet on the north.
* Footnote * 4_Kings 17 : 3
Against him came up Salmanasar, king of the Assyrians; and Osee became his servant, and paid him tribute.* Footnote * 4_Kings 18 : 9
In the fourth year of king Ezechias, which was the seventh year of Osee, the son of Ela, king of Israel, Salmanasar, king of the Assyrians, came up to Samaria, and besieged it,*H When he was made captive in the days of Salmanasar king of the Assyrians, even in his captivity, forsook not the way of truth,
Ver. 2. Salmanasar. When Osee was conquered, A. 3283. See 4 K. xvii. 6. — Truth. His constancy in the observance of the true religion was so much the more wonderful, as he was rich, and lived among the wicked. C.
*H But every day gave all he could get to his brethren his fellow captives, that were of his kindred.
Ver. 3. Kindred. Greek adds, "who went along with me...to Ninive."
*H And when he was younger than any of the tribe of Nephtali, yet did he no childish thing in his work.
Ver. 4. Younger. "Very young," (H.) or the youngest of those who administered their own affairs. The parents of Tobias were deceased. C. — Greek, "when I was young in my country, in the land of Israel, all the tribe," &c.
* Footnote * 3_Kings 12 : 28
And finding out a device, he made two golden calves, and said to them: Go ye up no more to Jerusalem: Behold thy gods, O Israel, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt.*H Moreover when all went to the golden calves which Jeroboam king of Israel had made, he alone fled the company of all,
Ver. 5. All, or the greatest part; (H.) for some still feared God; (C. ii. 2. W.) and the Greek of C. v. 14. or 19. informs us that Ananias and Jonathan accompanied Tobias. H. — Greek is more diffuse. C.—(4) "All the tribe of Nephthali, of my father, departed from the house of Jerusalem, which city had been chosen from all the tribes of Israel, for all the tribes to offer sacrifice; and the temple of the tabernacle of the most High was sanctified, and was built for ever; (5) and all the tribes, apostatizing together, sacrificed to Baal, to the heifer; (Comp. ed. to the power of Baal) and the house of Nephthali, of my father, likewise. (6) And I alone went frequently to Jerusalem, at the feasts" (H.) of the Passover, &c. M. — The other versions are nearly similar. C. — But we cannot specify all these variations. H. — The number has induced some to conclude, not improbably, that there were two originals; (T.) the Syriac by the elder, and the Chaldee by the younger Tobias. Justiniani. — But this is destitute of proof. C.
*H So that in the third year he gave all his tithes to the proselytes, and strangers.
Ver. 7. Strangers. See Deut. xiv. 28. M. Lev. xxvii. 30. C. — Greek, "And the third I gave to whom it belonged, as Debbora, my father's mother, ordered me, as I was left an orphan by my father; (9) and when I was," &c. H.
*H But when he was a man, he took to wife Anna of his own tribe, and had a son by her, whom he called after his own name,
Ver. 9. Man. The Jews married young: but the time was not fixed. C. — After. Greek, "Tobias." They always style the father Tobit. H.
*H And when by the captivity he with his wife and his son and all his tribe was come to the city of Ninive,
Ver. 11. Ninive, called Ninus by Pliny, &c. M. — It was so large, as easily to receive a whole tribe, which was sold for slaves. C.
*H (When all ate of the meats of the Gentiles) he kept his soul and never was defiled with their meats.
Ver. 12. Meats, such as had been immolated to idols, (M.) or were forbidden to the Jews. C.
*H And he gave him leave to go whithersoever he would, with liberty to do whatever he had a mind.
Ver. 14. And he. Gr. "I was his marketter," (H.) to provide provisions for the palace. "He set me over all he had, till the day of his death." Munster. — But this Heb. author has probably exaggerated the matter, to make Tobias appear as great as he could. These editions add no more, continuing, (15) "And I went into Media, and I deposited with Gabael, or Gabelus," &c.
*H And when he was come to Rages a city of the Medes, and had ten talents of silver of that with which he had been honoured by the king:
Ver. 16. Rages means "rupture," by frequent earthquakes, and was (M. C.) the residence of the Parthian kings, in spring, (Athen. xii. 2.) in the mountain, separating their country from Media. — Honoured for his salary. C.
*H And when amongst a great multitude of his kindred, he saw Gabelus in want, who was one of his tribe, taking a note of his hand he gave him the aforesaid sum of money.
Ver. 17. Money. People might formerly make use of what was merely deposited in their hands. Ulpian. — The old Latin version has, "I committed to him ten talents in gold."
*H But after a long time, Salmanasar the king being dead, when Sennacherib his son, who reigned in his place, had a hatred for the children of Israel:
Ver. 18. Time. Salmanasar reigned fourteen years; seven after the captivity, which to people in distress would appear long. C. — Gr. "And after Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib, his son, reigned in his stead; and his ways ceased, (or his high roads were stopped) and I could no longer go into Media." H. — We find nothing in history to confirm this stoppage: (C.) but it might be in consequence of the wars. Houbigant. See the pref. H. — Israel. This hatred was augmented, after the unfortunate expedition into Palestine. C. M. 4 K. xix. 35.
*H Tobias daily went among all his kindred and comforted them, and distributed to every one as he was able, out of his goods:
Ver. 19. Goods, under Sennacherib; though he was now deprived of his place. C. — Greek, Syr. and Heb. insinuate, that this happened under his predecessor. H.
*H He fed the hungry, and gave clothes to the naked, and was careful to bury the dead, and they that were slain.
Ver. 20. Slain, by order or connivance of Sennacherib. M. — Tobias buried the dead, out of charity, and the belief of a future resurrection. Hence arises the respect for tombs and the relics of the saints. C. — The pagans imagined that the souls could not rest till their bodies were interred. Homer, Virgil vii. &c. C.
* Footnote * 4_Kings 19 : 35
And it came to pass that night, that an angel of the Lord came, and slew in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and eighty-five thousand. And when he arose early in the morning, he saw all the bodies of the dead.*H But Tobias fleeing naked away with his son and with his wife, lay concealed, for many loved him.
Ver. 23. Loved him, even of the Assyrians. The Jews were not able to afford him shelter. M.
* Footnote * 4_Kings 19 : 37
And as he was worshipping in the temple of Nesroch, his god, Adramelech and Sarasar, his sons, slew him with the sword, and they fled into the land of the Armenians, and Asarhaddon, his son, reigned in his stead.* Footnote * 2_Paralipomenon 32 : 21
And the Lord sent an angel, who cut off all the stout men and the warriors, and the captains of the army of the king of the Assyrians: and he returned with disgrace into his own country. And when he was come into the house of his god, his sons that came out of his bowels, slew him with the sword.* Footnote * Isaias 37 : 38
And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the temple of Nesroch his god, that Adramelech and Sarasar his sons slew him with the sword: and they fled into the land of Ararat, and Asarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.*H But after forty-five days, the king was killed by his own sons.
Ver. 24. Forty. Arab. twenty-five; Gr. and Syr. fifty; other Gr. copies, fifty-five days. Fagius says Tobias was hidden nineteen days. It seems, therefore, we should date these forty-five days from the return of Sennacherib. — Sons. See 4 K. xix. 37. and Isai. xxxvii. 38. C. — Gr. adds, "and they fled to the mountains of Ararat, and Sacherdoc, (our Assaraddon) his son, reigned in his stead; and he appointed Achiachar Anael, the son of my brother, over all the accounts of his kingdom, and over all his government. And Achiachar petitioned for me; and I came to Ninive. But Achiachar was cup-bearer, (Alex. MS. receiver of wine) and keeper of the ring, and governor and keeper of accounts; and Sacherdonosos gave him the second place. But he was my nephew. And when I returned to my house, and my wife Anna, and my son Tobias, were restored to me, at the feast of Pentecost," &c. H. — This seems contrary to v. 23. Yet the Heb. copies agree in this particular, and mention the dignity of Akikar. But we may judge what credit these additions deserve. C. — They merit some attention, as they may be original. See Pref. H.