1. ὅτε δὲ κατῆλθον εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου καὶ ἀπεδόθη μοι Αννα ἡ γυνή μου καὶ Τωβιας ὁ υἱός μου ἐν τῇ πεντηκοστῇ τῇ ἑορτῇ ἥ ἐστιν ἁγία ἑπτὰ ἑβδομάδων ἐγενήθη ἄριστον καλόν μοι καὶ ἀνέπεσα τοῦ φαγεῖν
2. καὶ ἐθεασάμην ὄψα πολλὰ καὶ εἶπα τῷ υἱῷ μου βάδισον καὶ ἄγαγε ὃν ἐὰν εὕρῃς τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν ἐνδεῆ ὃς μέμνηται τοῦ κυρίου καὶ ἰδοὺ μενῶ σε
3. καὶ ἐλθὼν εἶπεν πάτερ εἷς ἐκ τοῦ γένους ἡμῶν ἐστραγγαλωμένος ἔρριπται ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ
4. κἀγὼ πρὶν ἢ γεύσασθαί με ἀναπηδήσας ἀνειλόμην αὐτὸν εἴς τι οἴκημα ἕως οὗ ἔδυ ὁ ἥλιος
5. καὶ ἐπιστρέψας ἐλουσάμην καὶ ἤσθιον τὸν ἄρτον μου ἐν λύπῃ
6. καὶ ἐμνήσθην τῆς προφητείας Αμως καθὼς εἶπεν στραφήσονται αἱ ἑορταὶ ὑμῶν εἰς πένθος καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ εὐφροσύναι ὑμῶν εἰς θρῆνον καὶ ἔκλαυσα
7. καὶ ὅτε ἔδυ ὁ ἥλιος ᾠχόμην καὶ ὀρύξας ἔθαψα αὐτόν
8. καὶ οἱ πλησίον ἐπεγέλων λέγοντες οὐκέτι φοβεῖται φονευθῆναι περὶ τοῦ πράγματος τούτου καὶ ἀπέδρα καὶ ἰδοὺ πάλιν θάπτει τοὺς νεκρούς
9. καὶ ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ νυκτὶ ἀνέλυσα θάψας καὶ ἐκοιμήθην μεμιαμμένος παρὰ τὸν τοῖχον τῆς αὐλῆς καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ἀκάλυπτον ἦν
10. καὶ οὐκ ᾔδειν ὅτι στρουθία ἐν τῷ τοίχῳ ἐστίν καὶ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν μου ἀνεῳγότων ἀφώδευσαν τὰ στρουθία θερμὸν εἰς τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου καὶ ἐγενήθη λευκώματα εἰς τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου καὶ ἐπορεύθην πρὸς ἰατρούς καὶ οὐκ ὠφέλησάν με Αχιαχαρος δὲ ἔτρεφέν με ἕως οὗ ἐπορεύθη εἰς τὴν Ἐλυμαΐδα
11. καὶ ἡ γυνή μου Αννα ἠριθεύετο ἐν τοῖς γυναικείοις
12. καὶ ἀπέστελλε τοῖς κυρίοις καὶ ἀπέδωκαν αὐτῇ καὶ αὐτοὶ τὸν μισθὸν προσδόντες καὶ ἔριφον
13. ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν πρός με ἤρξατο κράζειν καὶ εἶπα αὐτῇ πόθεν τὸ ἐρίφιον μὴ κλεψιμαῖόν ἐστιν ἀπόδος αὐτὸ τοῖς κυρίοις οὐ γὰρ θεμιτόν ἐστιν φαγεῖν κλεψιμαῖον
14. ἡ δὲ εἶπεν δῶρον δέδοταί μοι ἐπὶ τῷ μισθῷ καὶ οὐκ ἐπίστευον αὐτῇ καὶ ἔλεγον ἀποδιδόναι αὐτὸ τοῖς κυρίοις καὶ ἠρυθρίων πρὸς αὐτήν ἡ δὲ ἀποκριθεῖσα εἶπέν μοι ποῦ εἰσιν αἱ ἐλεημοσύναι σου καὶ αἱ δικαιοσύναι σου ἰδοὺ γνωστὰ πάντα μετὰ σοῦ
Footnotes:
2:1-5 - Tobias stands up to bury an Israelite, demonstrating his continued devotion to tradition and moral obligations, even at the risk of persecution. This action highlights the value of integrity in difficult times (see also Proverbs 21:21 and Romans 12:9).
2:6-7 - Tobiah faces the wrath of King Sennacherib and is forced into hiding. Tobiah's willingness to fulfill his responsibility, even under threat, emphasizes his courage and faith in God (see also Psalm 56:3-4 and 2 Timothy 1:7).
2:8-9 - Tobias's lament over his fate and the condition of the exiled Israelites expresses a deep sense of solidarity and love for God's people. This highlights the importance of compassion and unity among fellow believers (see also Ephesians 4:32 and 1 Peter 3:8).
2:10-12 - Tobiah's decision not to attend the king's feast because of his conscience demonstrates the value of remaining faithful to God, even in the midst of temptation. This reflects the need for spiritual discernment (see also Philippians 1:9-10 and 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
2:13-14 - The healing of Tobias's blindness through his faith and Raphael's intercession is a reminder of God's power to restore and heal. The angel's presence reveals that God is always with those who seek Him (see also James 5:16 and Psalm 30:2).
Verses related to Tobias, 2:
Tobit chapter 2 recounts Tobit's trials. How does adversity test your faith? This moving text describes how Tobit, after burying a murdered compatriot, becomes blind due to an unusual accident. The chapter explores themes of unjust suffering, perseverance in faith, and the challenges faced by the righteous. Tobit 2 also introduces Tobit's prayers, which are fundamental to the unfolding of the narrative. Examine with us five biblical passages that illuminate the profound themes of this transformative chapter.
Job 2:9-10: "His wife said to him, 'Do you still maintain your integrity? Curse God, and die!' He replied: 'You speak like a fool. Shall we accept the good given by God, and not the evil?'" - Job's response to adversity reflects Tobias's attitude when he becomes blind, maintaining his faith despite the difficulties.
Psalms 146:8: "The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord raises up the humble, the Lord loves the righteous." - This psalm offers hope for situations like Tobit's blindness, affirming God's power to heal.
2 Corinthians 4:17: "Because our light and momentary sufferings are producing for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all." - This Pauline perspective on suffering can be applied to Tobias' situation, seeing his trials as temporary.
James 5:11: "As you know, we consider those who show perseverance to be happy. You have heard about Job's patience and seen the end the Lord brought him. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." - Tobit's perseverance in his blindness and hardships echoes Job's patience mentioned here.
1 Peter 1:7: "Thus, your faith, which is worth much more than gold that perishes, even if refined by fire, is proven to be genuine and will result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." - The trial of Tobit's faith through his blindness can be seen in light of this verse about the purification of faith.
FAQ:
What happened to Tobias when he traveled to Ragué?
Tobias was sent by his father, Tobit, to seek payment and help to restore his father's sight. (Tobit 2:1-2)
How did Tobias meet the angel Raphael?
During his journey, Tobias encountered the angel Raphael disguised as a man, who became his guide and companion. (Tobit 2:10-14)
What did Tobias do when he arrived at Raguel's house?
Tobias was welcomed by Raguel, who offered him hospitality and announced his marriage to his daughter, Sarah. (Tobias 2:15-16)
What was Raguel's response to Tobias's request to marry Sarah?
Raguel agreed to the request, but explained Sarah’s suffering, having lost seven husbands before. (Tobit 2:13-14)
How did Tobias deal with the danger he faced when marrying Sarah?
Tobias, with Raphael’s guidance, prayed to God and followed his instructions to protect Sarah from demonic action. (Tobias 2:16-18)
