This verse from Tobit 10:1 is a poignant description of Tobit's anxiety and worry about his son Tobias's extended absence. Let's break it down:
"Tobit his father counted every day." This establishes Tobit's deep concern for his son. He's not casually waiting; he's actively tracking the passage of time, highlighting his emotional investment in Tobias's safe return.
"When the days of the journey were expired..." This refers to the expected duration of Tobias's trip to Media, where he had been sent to retrieve money owed to Tobit. The "days of the journey" signify the estimated time it should have taken to travel to Media, conduct the business, and return home.
"...and they didn’t come." This is the core of the verse's meaning. The fact that Tobias and his companion (the angel Raphael in disguise) hadn't returned within the expected timeframe causes Tobit great distress. It suggests that something may have gone wrong, leading to his worry and fear.
In essence, the verse conveys:
Fatherly anxiety: Tobit's love for his son and his worry about his well-being.
Uncertainty and foreboding: The absence beyond the expected return date fuels Tobit's concern that something has happened to Tobias.
Heightened tension: The verse sets the stage for the resolution of the story, making the reader anticipate the return of Tobias and the explanation for the delay.
This verse is crucial to understanding the emotional atmosphere of the narrative, emphasizing the depth of Tobit's love and concern for his son as he faced the possibility of loss.
This verse from Tobit 10:1 is a poignant description of Tobit's anxiety and worry about his son Tobias's extended absence. Let's break it down:
"Tobit his father counted every day." This establishes Tobit's deep concern for his son. He's not casually waiting; he's actively tracking the passage of time, highlighting his emotional investment in Tobias's safe return.
"When the days of the journey were expired..." This refers to the expected duration of Tobias's trip to Media, where he had been sent to retrieve money owed to Tobit. The "days of the journey" signify the estimated time it should have taken to travel to Media, conduct the business, and return home.
"...and they didn’t come." This is the core of the verse's meaning. The fact that Tobias and his companion (the angel Raphael in disguise) hadn't returned within the expected timeframe causes Tobit great distress. It suggests that something may have gone wrong, leading to his worry and fear.
In essence, the verse conveys:
Fatherly anxiety: Tobit's love for his son and his worry about his well-being.
Uncertainty and foreboding: The absence beyond the expected return date fuels Tobit's concern that something has happened to Tobias.
Heightened tension: The verse sets the stage for the resolution of the story, making the reader anticipate the return of Tobias and the explanation for the delay.
This verse is crucial to understanding the emotional atmosphere of the narrative, emphasizing the depth of Tobit's love and concern for his son as he faced the possibility of loss.