They are kindly entertained by Raguel. Tobias demandeth Sara to wife.
They are kindly entertained by Raguel. 10 Tobias demandeth Sara to wife, which Raguel, encoredged by the Angel, granteth. 15. and the mariage is made.
1And they went in to Raguel, and Raguel received them with joy.Ed essi entraron o in casa di Raguele, e gli accolse Raguele con gaudio.AND they went to Raguel, and Raguel receiued them with ioy.Ingressi sunt autem ad Raguelem, et suscepit eos Raguel cum gaudio. 2And Raguel looking upon Tobias, said to Anna his wife: How like is this young man to my cousin?E Raguele mirando Tobia disse ad Anna sua moglie: Quanto mai questo giovane si rassomiglia al mio cugino!And Raguel beholding Tobias, sayd to Anna his wife: How like is this yongman to my sisters sonne!Intuensque Tobiam Raguel, dixit Annæ uxori suæ: Quam similis est juvenis iste consobrino meo ! 3And when he had spoken these words, he said: Whence are ye young men our brethren?E quindi disse loro: Donde siete voi o giovani nostri fratelli? E quelli dissero: Della tribù di Nepthali, degli schiavi di Ninive.And when he had spoken these wordes, he sayd: Whence are you ye yongmen our brethren?Et cum hæc dixisset, ait: Unde estis juvenes fratres nostri ? At illi dixerunt: Ex tribu Nephthali sumus, ex captivitate Ninive. 4But they said: We are of the tribe of Nephtali, of the captivity of Ninive.E Raguel disse loro: Conoscete Tobia mio fratello? E quelli dissero: Lo conosciamo.But they sayd: We are of the tribe of Nephthali, of the captiuitie of Niniue.Dixitque illis Raguel: Nostis Tobiam fratrem meum ? Qui dixerunt: Novimus. 5And Raguel said to them: Do you know Tobias my brother? And they said: We know him.E quegli parlando di lui con molta lode, l'Angelo disse a Raguele: Tobia, del quale tu parli, è il padre di costui.And Raguel sayd to them: Know you Tobias my brother? Who sayd: We know him.Cumque multa bona loqueretur de eo, dixit angelus ad Raguelem: Tobias, de quo interrogas, pater istius est. 6And when he was speaking many good things of him, the angel said to Raguel: Tobias concerning whom thou inquirest is this young man’s father.E Raguele se gli gettò addosso, e baciolle piangendo e singhiozzando sul collo di lui,And when he spake much good of him, the Angel sayd to Raguel: Tobias, of whom thou askest is this mans father.Et misit se Raguel, et cum lacrimis osculatus est eum, et plorans supra collum ejus 7And Raguel went to him, and kissed him with tears and weeping upon his neck, said: A blessing be upon thee, my son, because thou art the son of a good and most virtuous man.E disse. Sii tu benedetto, figliuol mio, che se rampollo di un uomo dabbene, e ottimo.And Raguel put forth him selfe, and with teares kissed him, and weeping vpon his necke, sayd: Blessing haue thou my sonne, because thou art the sonne of a good and most vertuous man.dixit: Benedictio sit tibi, fili mi, quia boni et optimi viri filius es.
8And Anna his wife, and Sara their daughter wept.E Anna sua moglie, e Sara sua figlia piangevano.And Anna his wife, and Sara theyr daughter wept.Et Anna uxor ejus, et Sara ipsorum filia, lacrimatæ sunt. 9And after they had spoken, Raguel commanded a sheep to be killed, and a feast to be prepared. And when he desired them to sit down to dinner,E dopo vari discorsi ordinò Raguele, che si uccidesse un ariete, e si ammannisse il convito; e pregandoli di porsi, a mensaAnd after they had talked, Raguel commanded a wether to be killed, and a banket to be prepared. And when he desired them to sitte downe to dinner,Postquam autem locuti sunt, præcepit Raguel occidi arietem, et parari convivium. Cumque hortaretur eos discumbere ad prandium, 10Tobias said: I will not eat nor drink here this day, unless thou first grant me my petition, and promise to give me Sara thy daughter.Tobia disse: io oggi qui non mangerò, e non berò, se tu prima non mi concedi la mia richiesta, e non mi prometti di darmi Sara tua figlia per moglie.Tobias said: I wil not eate nor drinke here this day, vnlesse thou first assure my petition, and promise to geue me Sara thy daughter.Tobias dixit: Hic ego hodie non manducabo neque bibam, nisi prius petitionem meam confirmes, et promittas mihi dare Saram filiam tuam. 11Now when Raguel heard this he was afraid, knowing what had happened to those seven husbands, that went in unto her: and he began to fear lest it might happen to him also in like manner: and as he was in suspense, and gave no answer to his petition,Udito ciò Raguele restò senza fiato, sapendo quel che era avvenuto a que' sette mariti, che si erano accostati a lei: e cominciò a temere, che lo stesso non accadesse anche a questo: e mentre egli titubava senza dare veruna risposta.Which word Raguel hearing, was sore afrayd, knowing what had chanced to those seuen husbands, which went in vnto her: and he began to feare lest perhaps it might chance to him also in like maner: and when he doubted, and gaue no answer to him demanding,Quo audito verbo Raguel expavit, sciens quid evenerit illis septem viris qui ingressi sunt ad eam: et timere cœpit ne forte et hunc similiter contingeret. Et cum nutaret, et non daret petenti ullum responsum, 12The angel said to him: Be not afraid to give her to this man, for to him who feareth God is thy daughter due to be his wife: therefore another could not have her.L'Angelo gli disse: Non temere di darla a questo, perchè a lui, che teme Dio dee darsi la tua figliuola per moglie: per questo non ha potuto averla nissun altro.the Angel sayd to him: Feare not to geue her to this man, for to him fearing God is thy daughter dewe to be his wife: therfore an other could not haue her.dixit ei angelus: Noli timere dare eam isti, quoniam huic timenti Deum debetur conjux filia tua: propterea alius non potuit habere illam.
13Then Raguel said: I doubt not but God hath regarded my prayers and tears in his sight.Allora disse Raguele: Io non dubito, che il Signore abbia ammesse al suo cospetto le mie orazioni, e le mie lacrime.Then sayd Raguel: I doubt not but God hath admitted my prayers and teares in his sight.Tunc dixit Raguel: Non dubito quod Deus preces et lacrimas meas in conspectu suo admiserit. 14And I believe he hath therefore made you come to me, that this maid might be married to one of her own kindred, according to the law of Moses: and now doubt not but I will give her to thee.E credo, che per questo vi ha fatti venire a mia casa, affinchè questa si sposi ad uomo di sua cognazione secondo la legge di Mosè; ora tu non dubitare, che io te la darò.And I beleue that therfore he hath made you come to me, that this mayde might be ioyned to her kinred, according to the law of Moyses: and now haue no doubt but I wil deliuer her to thee.Et credo quoniam ideo fecit vos venire ad me, ut ista conjungeretur cognationi suæ secundum legem Moysi: et nunc noli dubium gerere quod tibi eam tradam. 15And taking the right hand of his daughter, he gave it into the right hand of Tobias, saying: The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you, and may he join you together, and fulfil his blessing in you.E presa la destra della sua figlia, la pose nella man destra di Tobia, dicendo: Il Dio d'Abramo, e il Dio d'Isacco, e il Dio Giacobbe sia con voi, ed ei vi congiunga, e adempia in voi la sua benedizione.And taking his daughter by the right hand, gaue it into the right hand of Tobias, saying: The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob be with you, and he ioyne you together, and fulfil his blessing in you.Et apprehendens dexteram filiæ suæ, dexteræ Tobiæ tradidit, dicens: Deus Abraham, et Deus Isaac, et Deus Jacob vobiscum sit, et ipse conjungat vos, impleatque benedictionem suam in vobis. 16And taking paper they made a writing of the marriage.E presa la carta, fecero la scrittura di matrimonio.And taking paper they made a writing of the mariage.Et accepta carta, fecerunt conscriptionem conjugii. 17And afterwards they made merry, blessing God.E dipoi fecero il banchetto, benedicendo Dio.And after these things they made merie, blessing God.Et post hæc epulati sunt, benedicentes Deum. 18And Raguel called to him Anna his wife, and bade her to prepare another chamber.E Raguele chiamò Anna sua moglie, e le ordinò di preparare un'altra camera.And Raguel called to him Anna his wife, and commanded her to prepare an other chamber.Vocavitque Raguel ad se Annam uxorem suam, et præcepit ei ut præpararet alterum cubiculum.
19And she brought Sara her daughter in thither, and she wept.E vi condusse Sara sua figlia, la quale piangeva.And she brought Sara her daughter in thither, and she wept.Et introduxit illuc Saram filiam suam, et lacrimata est. 20And she said to her: Be of good cheer, my daughter: the Lord of heaven give thee joy for the trouble thou hast undergone.Ed ei le disse: Sta di buon animo, figliuola mia; il Signore del cielo ti dia allegrezza in compensazione dei disgusti, che hai sofferti.And she sayd to her: Be of good cheere my daughter, our Lord of heauen geue thee ioy for the tediousnesse which thou hast suffered.Dixitque ei: Forti animo esto, filia mea: Dominus cæli det tibi gaudium pro tædio quod perpessa es.
7:1
Year of the World 3299.
Menochius
Joy; though as yet he only took them for Israelites. (Menochius)
Greek, "And they came to the house of Raguel. But Sara met them, and saluted them, as they did her, and she introduced them into the house."
7:2
Anna. Greek and Hebrew, Edna, "pleasure."
Haydock
Cousin. Greek adds, "Tobit." (Haydock)
Calmet
It is not certain that they were cousin-germans. (Calmet)
7:5
My. Greek, "our brother. But they replied: We know him. And he said: Is he well? But they answered: He is both alive and in health. And Tobias said; He is my father."
7:7
Went. Greek, "leaped up."
A. Greek, "my good....man. And hearing that Tobit had lost his sight, he was grieved, and wept."
7:9
Calmet
After. Greek, "and they gave them a cordial reception. And they slew (sacrificed) a ram of the flock, and placed much food before them," (Haydock) to shew their regard, Genesis 18:6. (Calmet)
Haydock
"But Tobias said, to Raphael: Brother Azarias, mention what thou saidst to me on the road, and let the affair come to perfection. And he explained the matter to Raguel. And Raguel said: Eat and drink, and be merry. It behoveth thee to have my child. Yet I will lay the truth before thee. I gave my child to seven husbands, and when they entered in to her, they died the very night. For the present, therefore, be merry. And Tobias said: I will taste nothing here, till you produce and place her before me. And Raguel said: Take care of her henceforth, according to judgment: (Haydock; or the law.; Calmet) you are brother and sister. May then the merciful God grant you the greatest prosperity. And he called Sara, his daughter, and she came to her father: then taking her by the hand, he gave her," ver. 15. (Haydock)
Haydock
St. Ambrose (Off. 3:14.) reads in the same manner, (Calmet) and commends the candour of Raguel in disclosing the truth, though it might have prevented his daughter from marrying; (Worthington) a case where people allow themselves (Calmet) too much liberty, in concealing defects. (Haydock)
7:14
Menochius
Moses. It was not so much in force during the captivity, particularly as Raguel had only moveables; and therefore the seven former husbands had not been near relations. (Menochius)
7:15
Hand. This was the mode of confirming agreements, in Media. (Alex. Genial 5:3.)
The custom prevailed in marriages, (Lamentations 5:6., and Isaiah. 62:8.) as it does still among Christians.
Haydock
It. Greek, "her for a wife to Tobias, and said: Behold: take care of her according to the law of Moses, and go to thy father. And he blessed them. And he called Edna, his wife, and taking a book, wrote a note, (Haydock; or contract.; Calmet) and sealed it, and they began to eat." (Haydock)
Calmet
It was almost universally the custom to have such writings, particularly where polygamy prevailed. The wives of lower condition were taken without formality. (Calmet)
7:18
Calmet
Chamber. Different from that where they kept the feast, and perhaps (Haydock) not the same with the nuptial chamber, which had been so unfortunate, in order that Sara might not be so much alarmed. (Calmet)
7:19
Menochius
Wept, at the recollection of what had happened. (Menochius)
7:20
And she. Greek adds, "received the tears of her daughter; and said, have confidence, child."
Haydock
For the. Greek, "instead of this sorrow, have a good heart, daughter." (Haydock)
7:11
A iust man (sayth S. Ambrose. lib 3. Off. c. 14.) feared other mens harmes, and would rather his daughter should not be maried then others should be in danger, preferring honestie before profite.
7:11
St Ambrose of Milan † AD 397 On the Duties of the Clergy 3.16
… So when Tobit the son of Tobias asked that his daughter might be given him, he answered that, according to the law, she ought to be given him as near of kin, but that he had already given her to six men, and all of them were dead.
7:2
7:3
3. We are of the tribe of Nephtali. — Note that Tobias said this, not the angel Raphael. But Tobias thought Raphael was not an angel, but his fellow tribesman: "They said" therefore, that is, Tobias spoke in response for both, namely both for his angelic companion and for himself: if however anyone contends that these are the words of both, and asserts that Raphael declared himself to be not a son of the tribe of Nephtali, but a guardian or tutelary angel, as in Daniel X, he is called the angel of the Persians, Greeks, and Hebrews. And in this sense angels can be called our fellow citizens and fellow tribesmen. Thus the angel of John the Apostle calls himself a fellow servant in Apocalypse XIX, 10. Finally, Raphael here had assumed the form, person and name of Azarias, and therefore could rightly call himself a Nephtalite; for such was Azarias. See what is said, chapter V, verse 18.
7:4
4. Do you know Tobias my brother? — "Brother," that is cousin and kinsman, as I have already said.
7:6
6. And Raguel ran — to the neck of Tobias, embracing and kissing him. In Greek it is: Raguel ran forth with joy.
7:8
8. They wept. — The Greek texts add that they did this after hearing that Tobias had lost his sight.
7:11
11. What happened to the seven men who went in to her, — namely into the bridal chamber before marital union. For the Greek and Hebrew texts add: "The demon killed them before they had been with her as with wives," that is before they had had marital union with her. You may ask: Why did so many suitors seek Sara, especially since the later ones saw the death of the earlier ones? I answer: The first attraction was Sara's singular form and beauty; the second, that she was the sole heiress of the great wealth of her father Raguel; the third, that they perhaps thought it was owed to them by right of kinship, since Tobias was not present, to whom, as is stated in verse 14, it was owed as the nearer kinsman. The fourth, because love maddened them. For, as St. Augustine says, "he is too rash who strives to pass over where he has seen another fall." Happy is he whom the dangers of others make cautious. He began to fear lest a similar fate might befall him as well. — St. Ambrose praises Raguel, in book III of the Duties, chapter XIV: "Raguel," he says, "especially expressed the form of honesty, who, in contemplation of honesty, when asked to give his daughter in marriage, did not conceal even the faults of his daughter, lest he seem to circumvent the petitioner by silence." And shortly after: "A just man feared more for strangers, and preferred his daughter to remain unmarried rather than that strangers should be endangered on account of her marriage."
7:16
16. They made a written contract of marriage. — They made an authentic instrument, in which they wrote down the conditions and agreements of marriage, namely the promises both of the bridegroom and of the bride and her parents. The parents did not hesitate, although terrified by the death of the seven suitors, to give Sara their daughter to Tobias; both because Raphael by the gravity of his countenance and words, indeed by his majesty, urged it and pledged security, and because God internally incited them to perform this marriage; thus Dionysius, Serarius and others.
7:18
And, as Pliny says, book XXVIII, chapter V: "It is best to enjoy another's madness." Again, learn here how all pleasure, even that of marriage, is uncertain and unstable. Behold these bridegrooms are slain on the very wedding night of the bride, as has happened to many similar cases, and often happens; whence there is a proverb of Ben-Sira: "The bride ascends into the bridal chamber, and knows not what shall befall her." For as Seneca says, epistle 26: "It is uncertain in what place death awaits you. Therefore do you await it in every place." Again, let married couples learn here to use marriage chastely, and let others live chastely, lest they be slain by Asmodeus, just as these unchaste bridegrooms were. A few years ago, when I was in Belgium, a grave priest of our Society, in a military mission, told me that he had often warned a certain soldier on account of shameful concubinage to correct his life, but in vain: wherefore at last, moved by zeal and earnestness, he threatened him, and declared that unless he quickly amended himself, he would experience the sharp vengeance of God. Thus it came to pass, for shortly after, God sent a storm, thunder and lightning with a horrible crash, and to the terror of all, He struck that one man in the shameful embrace of his concubine together with her by lightning and blasted him; and so in the very act of sin he delivered his body to the lightning, his soul to hell, all crying out: "Just are You, O Lord, and right is Your judgment!"
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
7:2
… In the Septuagint (Tob. 7, 2-18; 8, 16) she is called Edna (Hebrew "delight"). …
7:15
… In Tob. 7, 15 Raguel joins the hands of Tobias and Sarah; among the Romans, on the day of the solemnity of the m., the "pronuba" told the spouses to give each other their hands. …
… the beautiful formula of good wishes and blessing pronounced by Raguel at the marriage of his daughter S. to Tobias: "The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you, and may he join you together and fulfill his blessing in you" (Tob. 7:15). The wedding festivities celebrated at Ecbatana were then repeated at Nineveh in the house of Tobias's parents (ibid. 11:15 ff.). …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Douay 1609-10), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.