THE ENGLISH BIBLE KING JAMES VERSION: Volume Two The New Testament and the Apocrypha by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-393-52218-1
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 2012-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

Tobit

THE book of Tobit explores the conditions of exile. Not only are its main characters all Jews exiled in Media (or an angel disguised as one, in the case of Raphael), but the book begins with its protagonist recounting the deportation of the Northern Kingdom’s population to Assyria, and closes with the same character prophesying the Southern Kingdom’s impending exile, as well as predicting the return to the promised land. Many of the story’s themes were concerns of ancient exilic and diasporic Jewish populations, including faithfulness to one’s traditions in a setting hostile to them (cf. Dan 1:8–20) and endogamous marriage (cf. Ezra 9–10). Tobit complements its meditation on national exile by grappling with personal exile as well, in the form of the isolation and mockery that Tobit experiences when he adheres to his values, and of Sarah’s perpetual virginity, violently enforced by her demonic captor. Both figures act as models for pious exilic Jews struggling to preserve their traditions and communities as they longed for return to the promised land, a longing given plaintive expression in the hymns, prayers, and prophecies that bring Tobit to a close. Likewise, both pose a complementary question of theodicy: will God abandon his people to isolation and harassment in a foreign land? No, Tobit suggests, although in the midst of intense suffering, alienation, and anxiety it may be impossible to discern God’s supportive presence and providential plan.

Tobit is a remarkably packed book, for we might consider many other elements besides the major concern of exile. With no real idea of an afterlife, the book looks coolly at various aspects of death, including unburied corpses left out like rubbish, suicide contemplated by those who feel they can endure no longer, and the peaceful passing of the elderly in bed, surrounded by family. It is also a central work in the development of the biblical treatment of supernatural beings, giving major roles to the angel Raphael and the demon Asmodeus. It shows great interest in wisdom material, skillfully integrating proverbial passages into its narrative throughout. Likewise, it is intensely focused on expressions of personal piety such as giving alms and prayer, with all of its central human characters praying effectually at crucial points in the story.

Tobit is probably best described as a romance, but its quest narrative, prominent angels and demons, and unabashed fictiveness (in the opening verses, Tobit claims to have been alive both when Jereboam led the Northern Kingdom’s succession and two hundred years later, when the Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria) have led to comparisons with the fairy-tale genre. In fact, Tobit does seem to be a literary retelling of an international folktale, for it integrates two commonly joined folktale motifs: the grateful dead and the bride of the monster (see 1:10–22 and note). But Tobit’s literary influences are varied: it contains numerous references to the popular ancient Near Eastern Tale of Ahiqar, and may owe something to the Odyssey as well. In addition it models its protagonist on a number of

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