Tobit 2:12 - and sent the work back to the owners. They on their part paid her wages, and also geve her a kid.

Generated Verse: Tobit 2:12

What does "Tobit 2:12" mean?


This verse from Tobit 2:12 is a little unusual and can be interpreted in a few ways. Let's break it down:

"and sent the work back to the owners": This refers to the work Tobit's wife, Anna, was doing. She was employed, likely in some kind of cottage industry, perhaps spinning wool or weaving cloth. She had completed her task and returned the finished product to her employers.

"They on their part paid her wages": This is straightforward. Anna received her agreed-upon pay for her work.

"and also geve her a kid.": This is the part that requires some interpretation. "Kid" refers to a young goat. Why would her employers give her a goat? Here are a few possibilities:

Part of Payment: The "kid" could have been part of her payment, supplementing her wages. In ancient times, goods were often used in trade and payment, especially among those with limited access to cash.

Gift: The employers could have been generous and gave her the goat as a gift, perhaps as a gesture of appreciation for her good work.

In Lieu of Some Wages: Perhaps they didn't have the full amount of cash to pay her, and the goat filled the gap.

Related to the Work: It's less likely but possible that her work was somehow related to goats or livestock. In this case, the goat could have been a byproduct or a tool for her trade.

In the context of Tobit, which is a story about a righteous man facing hardship, this "kid" could be seen as a small blessing amid difficult circumstances. It provided sustenance and possibly a source of future income (through milk or breeding). It would have been a valuable possession for a family like Tobit and Anna.

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