Tobit 2:9 - The same night I returned from burying him, and slept by the wall of my courtyard, being polluted; and my face was uncovered.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Tobit 2:9" mean?
This verse from Tobit 2:9 has several layers of meaning that relate to ancient Jewish customs, social standing, and Tobit's piety:
"The same night I returned from burying him..." Tobit had just performed a pious act of burying a deceased Israelite (likely one who had been killed and left unburied, which was considered a great indignity). This immediately sets the scene of Tobit's adherence to religious law and his compassion.
"...and slept by the wall of my courtyard..." Sleeping outside, or in a more exposed area within his property, likely signifies a state of mourning. It could also be linked to the ritual impurity that followed contact with a dead body. Sleeping in a less comfortable or conventional place might be a way to express his sorrow and humility.
"...being polluted..." Contact with a corpse rendered a person ritually impure according to Jewish law (Numbers 19:11-13). This impurity didn't necessarily mean sinfulness, but it did mean a temporary separation from the temple and certain religious practices until purification rituals were performed. Tobit was aware of his state of ritual uncleanness.
"...and my face was uncovered." This detail is crucial. In that time and culture, covering the face was a sign of mourning, grief, or respect. Leaving the face uncovered could indicate a lack of proper mourning, but in Tobit's case, it highlights his vulnerability and perhaps his exhaustion after performing the burial. It could be a sign of carelessness, born out of deep sadness and fatigue, or simply a breach of societal norms that would normally indicate reverence.
In summary, the verse paints a picture of:
Tobit's Pious Actions: He fulfilled the religious obligation of burying the dead, demonstrating his strong faith and moral character.
His Mourning: He is in a state of grief and possibly physical exhaustion from his act of kindness.
Ritual Impurity: He is aware of his state of ritual impurity after handling a corpse.
Vulnerability and perhaps Neglect: The uncovered face suggests a break from customary practices, potentially arising from his weariness and sorrow, setting the stage for the events that follow in the narrative (the bird droppings causing blindness).
The verse is a pivotal point because it highlights Tobit's righteousness in the face of adversity and sets the stage for the trials that he is about to endure. His dedication to his faith, even when faced with hardship and potential social consequences, is a central theme of the Book of Tobit.
Tobit 2:9 - The same night I returned from burying him, and slept by the wall of my courtyard, being polluted; and my face was uncovered.
What does "Tobit 2:9" mean?
This verse from Tobit 2:9 has several layers of meaning that relate to ancient Jewish customs, social standing, and Tobit's piety:
"The same night I returned from burying him..." Tobit had just performed a pious act of burying a deceased Israelite (likely one who had been killed and left unburied, which was considered a great indignity). This immediately sets the scene of Tobit's adherence to religious law and his compassion.
"...and slept by the wall of my courtyard..." Sleeping outside, or in a more exposed area within his property, likely signifies a state of mourning. It could also be linked to the ritual impurity that followed contact with a dead body. Sleeping in a less comfortable or conventional place might be a way to express his sorrow and humility.
"...being polluted..." Contact with a corpse rendered a person ritually impure according to Jewish law (Numbers 19:11-13). This impurity didn't necessarily mean sinfulness, but it did mean a temporary separation from the temple and certain religious practices until purification rituals were performed. Tobit was aware of his state of ritual uncleanness.
"...and my face was uncovered." This detail is crucial. In that time and culture, covering the face was a sign of mourning, grief, or respect. Leaving the face uncovered could indicate a lack of proper mourning, but in Tobit's case, it highlights his vulnerability and perhaps his exhaustion after performing the burial. It could be a sign of carelessness, born out of deep sadness and fatigue, or simply a breach of societal norms that would normally indicate reverence.
In summary, the verse paints a picture of:
Tobit's Pious Actions: He fulfilled the religious obligation of burying the dead, demonstrating his strong faith and moral character.
His Mourning: He is in a state of grief and possibly physical exhaustion from his act of kindness.
Ritual Impurity: He is aware of his state of ritual impurity after handling a corpse.
Vulnerability and perhaps Neglect: The uncovered face suggests a break from customary practices, potentially arising from his weariness and sorrow, setting the stage for the events that follow in the narrative (the bird droppings causing blindness).
The verse is a pivotal point because it highlights Tobit's righteousness in the face of adversity and sets the stage for the trials that he is about to endure. His dedication to his faith, even when faced with hardship and potential social consequences, is a central theme of the Book of Tobit.