Tobit 3:10 - When she heard these things, she was grieved exceedingly, so that she thought about hanging herself. Then she said, “I am the only daughter of my father. If I do this, it will be a reproach to him, and I will bring down his old age with sorrow to the grave.”
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What does "Tobit 3:10" mean?
This verse (Tobit 3:10) reveals the depth of Sarah's despair and the moral dilemma she faces. Let's break it down:
"When she heard these things, she was grieved exceedingly..." This refers to the taunts and reproaches Sarah has been enduring because her previous seven husbands have all died on their wedding night. She's publicly shamed and believes she's cursed.
"...so that she thought about hanging herself." This clearly indicates the intensity of her suffering. Suicide is presented as a real option for her, demonstrating her hopelessness.
"Then she said, “I am the only daughter of my father." This is a crucial turning point. She reminds herself that she's her father's only child. In that time and culture, this meant she was responsible for his well-being and continuation of his lineage (in a way, her children would care for him).
"If I do this, it will be a reproach to him, and I will bring down his old age with sorrow to the grave.”" This is the core of her moral struggle. She realizes that her suicide wouldn't just end her own suffering, but would also deeply wound her father, causing him immense shame and sorrow for the rest of his life. The phrase "bring down his old age with sorrow to the grave" is a Hebrew idiom expressing the idea of causing someone such grief that it hastens their death.
In summary, the verse portrays:
Sarah's extreme despair: She's driven to consider suicide as a solution to her unbearable situation.
A moral dilemma: She weighs her own suffering against the devastating impact her actions would have on her father.
Filial piety: Ultimately, her love and concern for her father override her desire to end her own pain. She chooses to live, despite her suffering, to protect him from shame and sorrow.
This verse sets the stage for the rest of the story of Tobit, where both Sarah and Tobit (who is also suffering greatly) pray to God for deliverance. It emphasizes the themes of suffering, faith, family responsibility, and God's providence.
Tobit 3:10 - When she heard these things, she was grieved exceedingly, so that she thought about hanging herself. Then she said, “I am the only daughter of my father. If I do this, it will be a reproach to him, and I will bring down his old age with sorrow to the grave.”
What does "Tobit 3:10" mean?
This verse (Tobit 3:10) reveals the depth of Sarah's despair and the moral dilemma she faces. Let's break it down:
"When she heard these things, she was grieved exceedingly..." This refers to the taunts and reproaches Sarah has been enduring because her previous seven husbands have all died on their wedding night. She's publicly shamed and believes she's cursed.
"...so that she thought about hanging herself." This clearly indicates the intensity of her suffering. Suicide is presented as a real option for her, demonstrating her hopelessness.
"Then she said, “I am the only daughter of my father." This is a crucial turning point. She reminds herself that she's her father's only child. In that time and culture, this meant she was responsible for his well-being and continuation of his lineage (in a way, her children would care for him).
"If I do this, it will be a reproach to him, and I will bring down his old age with sorrow to the grave.”" This is the core of her moral struggle. She realizes that her suicide wouldn't just end her own suffering, but would also deeply wound her father, causing him immense shame and sorrow for the rest of his life. The phrase "bring down his old age with sorrow to the grave" is a Hebrew idiom expressing the idea of causing someone such grief that it hastens their death.
In summary, the verse portrays:
Sarah's extreme despair: She's driven to consider suicide as a solution to her unbearable situation.
A moral dilemma: She weighs her own suffering against the devastating impact her actions would have on her father.
Filial piety: Ultimately, her love and concern for her father override her desire to end her own pain. She chooses to live, despite her suffering, to protect him from shame and sorrow.
This verse sets the stage for the rest of the story of Tobit, where both Sarah and Tobit (who is also suffering greatly) pray to God for deliverance. It emphasizes the themes of suffering, faith, family responsibility, and God's providence.