Tobit chapter 1

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[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] Tobit is a Jewish man living in Nineveh. He does not fall into idolatry. He obeys the Law and tithes. He keeps kosher and helps the poor. He even buries the dead.

 

 

The Book of Tobit is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches

 

 

INTRODUCTION TO TOBIT

 

VERSE 1. The book of the words of Tobit, the son of Tobiel, the son of Ananiel, the son of Aduel, the son of Gabael, of the seed of Asiel, of the tribe of Naphtali;

 

VERSE 2. who in the days of Enemessar king of the Assyrians was carried away captive out of Thisbe, which is on the right hand of Kedesh Naphtali in Galilee above Asher.

carried away captive. Against his will, Tobit is removed from his hometown.

Thisbe. This town is usually spelled as “Tishbe.” It is the residence, and possibly even the birthplace, of the Prophet Elijah:

1 Kings 17:1. Elijah the Tishbite, who was one of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”

 

TOBIT IS RIGHTEOUS

 

VERSE 3. I, Tobit walked in the ways of truth and righteousness all the days of my life, and I did many alms deeds to my kindred and my nation, who went with me into the land of the Assyrians, to Nineveh.

Nineveh. Tobit was deported to Nineveh.

Another biblical character who went to Nineveh was the Prophet Jonah:

Jonah 1:2. Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.

 

VERSE 4. When I was in my own country, in the land of Israel, while I was yet young, all the tribe of Naphtali my father fell away from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, and the temple of the habitation of the Most High was hallowed and built therein for all ages.

 

VERSE 5. All the tribes which fell away together sacrificed to the heifer Baal, and so did the house of Naphtali my father.

 

VERSE 6. I alone went often to Jerusalem at the feasts, as it has been ordained to all Israel by an everlasting decree, having the first fruits and the tenths of my increase, and that which was first shorn; and I gave them at the altar to the priests the sons of Aaron.

 

VERSE 7. I gave a tenth part of all my increase to the sons of Levi, who ministered at Jerusalem. A second tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it each year at Jerusalem.

I gave a tenth part of all my increase. That is, Tobit tithed.

In our day, many Christians brag about being “saved.” However, very few Christians tithe.

 

VERSE 8. A third tenth I gave to them to whom it was appropriate, as Deborah my father’s mother had commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father.

 

VERSE 9. When I became a man, I took as wife Anna of the seed of our own family. With her, I became the father of Tobias.

With her, I became the father of Tobias. Tobias is the main character of this Book of the Bible.

 

VERSE 10. When I was carried away captive to Nineveh, all my kindred and my relatives ate of the bread of the Gentiles;

 

VERSE 11. but I kept myself from eating,

I kept myself from eating. That is, he kept himself from eating the food of Gentiles. Instead, he kept kosher.

 

VERSE 12. because I remembered God with all my soul.

 

VERSE 13. So the Most High gave me grace and favor in the sight of Enemessar, and I was his purveyor.

 

VERSE 14. And I went into Media, and left ten talents of silver in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabrias, at Rages of Media.

 

TOBIT’S COURAGE IN BURYING THE DEAD

 

VERSE 15. And when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his place. In his time, the highways were troubled, and I could no longer go into Media.

 

VERSE 16. In the days of Enemessar, I did many alms deeds to my kindred: I gave my bread to the hungry,

I did many alms deeds to my kindred: I gave my bread to the hungry. This is true righteousness.

The prophet Isaiah called it True Fasting.

It fulfills the Final Judgment.

 

VERSE 17. and my garments to the naked. If I saw any of my race dead, and thrown out on the wall of Ninevah, I buried him.

 

VERSE 18. If Sennacherib the king killed any, when he came fleeing from Judea, I buried them privately; for in his wrath he killed many; and the bodies were sought for by the king, and were not found.

 

VERSE 19. But one of the Ninevites went and showed to the king concerning me, how I buried them, and hid myself; and when I knew that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear.

 

VERSE 20. And all my goods were forcibly taken away, and there was nothing left to me, save my wife Anna and my son Tobias.

 

VERSE 21. No more than fifty five days passed before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararat. And Sarchedonus his son reigned in his place; and he appointed Achiacharus my brother Anael’s son over all the accounts of his kingdom, and over all his affairs.

 

VERSE 22. Achiacharus requested me, and I came to Nineveh. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, keeper of the signet, steward, and overseer of the accounts. Sarchedonus appointed him next to himself, but he was my brother’s son.

 

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TOBIT

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Tobit recommends fasting, Chronology

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.