Tobit 3:17 - Raphael also was sent to heal them both, to scale away the white films from Tobit’s eyes, and to give Sarah the daughter of Raguel for a wife to Tobias the son of Tobit; and to bind Asmodaeus the evil spirit; because it belonged to Tobias that he should inherit her. At that very time, Tobit returned and entered into his house, and Sarah the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber.
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What does "Tobit 3:17" mean?
This verse from Tobit 3:17 is a pivotal point in the Book of Tobit, highlighting divine intervention in the lives of Tobit and Sarah. Let's break it down:
"Raphael also was sent to heal them both": This establishes that God is actively intervening in the lives of Tobit and Sarah. Raphael, though initially appearing as a human, is actually an archangel sent by God. Both Tobit and Sarah are suffering: Tobit is blind and Sarah is tormented by a demon.
"to scale away the white films from Tobit’s eyes": This refers to Tobit's blindness, which is a major source of his suffering and hardship. The "white films" likely refer to cataracts or a similar condition. Raphael's eventual healing of Tobit's sight is a key event in the story, restoring him to his family and community.
"and to give Sarah the daughter of Raguel for a wife to Tobias the son of Tobit": Sarah is a woman who has been married seven times, but each of her husbands was killed by the demon Asmodaeus before the marriage could be consummated. This has brought immense shame and despair to her and her family. The verse states that Raphael's mission also includes ensuring that Sarah becomes the wife of Tobias.
"and to bind Asmodaeus the evil spirit; because it belonged to Tobias that he should inherit her": This is the core of Sarah's problem. The demon Asmodaeus is preventing her from having a successful marriage. The reason why Tobias is specifically destined to marry her is often understood in the context of the Levirate marriage law. This law, found in the Old Testament, stipulates that if a man dies without children, his brother should marry the widow to continue the family line. While not explicitly stated, it's implied that Tobias is a close relative of one of Sarah's deceased husbands, making him the rightful heir to marry her and carry on the lineage.
"At that very time, Tobit returned and entered into his house, and Sarah the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber.": This provides a sense of timing and anticipation. The events are set in motion simultaneously, preparing for the convergence of Tobit, Tobias, and Sarah. Sarah coming down from her upper chamber (where she had been mourning and praying) signifies a move towards hope and potential change. Tobit returning home means that the stage is set for the next act of the story.
In summary, this verse is a turning point:
It introduces the divine agent (Raphael) who will solve the problems of both Tobit and Sarah.
It sets up the dual nature of Raphael's mission: healing Tobit's blindness and enabling the marriage of Tobias and Sarah by overcoming the demonic obstacle.
It emphasizes the idea of divine providence and that God has a plan for these characters, even in the midst of their suffering. The idea that Tobias is the "rightful heir" suggests a restoration of order and justice.
It creates dramatic tension and anticipation for the events that will unfold as Tobit, Tobias, and Sarah's paths converge.
Tobit 3:17 - Raphael also was sent to heal them both, to scale away the white films from Tobit’s eyes, and to give Sarah the daughter of Raguel for a wife to Tobias the son of Tobit; and to bind Asmodaeus the evil spirit; because it belonged to Tobias that he should inherit her. At that very time, Tobit returned and entered into his house, and Sarah the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber.
What does "Tobit 3:17" mean?
This verse from Tobit 3:17 is a pivotal point in the Book of Tobit, highlighting divine intervention in the lives of Tobit and Sarah. Let's break it down:
"Raphael also was sent to heal them both": This establishes that God is actively intervening in the lives of Tobit and Sarah. Raphael, though initially appearing as a human, is actually an archangel sent by God. Both Tobit and Sarah are suffering: Tobit is blind and Sarah is tormented by a demon.
"to scale away the white films from Tobit’s eyes": This refers to Tobit's blindness, which is a major source of his suffering and hardship. The "white films" likely refer to cataracts or a similar condition. Raphael's eventual healing of Tobit's sight is a key event in the story, restoring him to his family and community.
"and to give Sarah the daughter of Raguel for a wife to Tobias the son of Tobit": Sarah is a woman who has been married seven times, but each of her husbands was killed by the demon Asmodaeus before the marriage could be consummated. This has brought immense shame and despair to her and her family. The verse states that Raphael's mission also includes ensuring that Sarah becomes the wife of Tobias.
"and to bind Asmodaeus the evil spirit; because it belonged to Tobias that he should inherit her": This is the core of Sarah's problem. The demon Asmodaeus is preventing her from having a successful marriage. The reason why Tobias is specifically destined to marry her is often understood in the context of the Levirate marriage law. This law, found in the Old Testament, stipulates that if a man dies without children, his brother should marry the widow to continue the family line. While not explicitly stated, it's implied that Tobias is a close relative of one of Sarah's deceased husbands, making him the rightful heir to marry her and carry on the lineage.
"At that very time, Tobit returned and entered into his house, and Sarah the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber.": This provides a sense of timing and anticipation. The events are set in motion simultaneously, preparing for the convergence of Tobit, Tobias, and Sarah. Sarah coming down from her upper chamber (where she had been mourning and praying) signifies a move towards hope and potential change. Tobit returning home means that the stage is set for the next act of the story.
In summary, this verse is a turning point:
It introduces the divine agent (Raphael) who will solve the problems of both Tobit and Sarah.
It sets up the dual nature of Raphael's mission: healing Tobit's blindness and enabling the marriage of Tobias and Sarah by overcoming the demonic obstacle.
It emphasizes the idea of divine providence and that God has a plan for these characters, even in the midst of their suffering. The idea that Tobias is the "rightful heir" suggests a restoration of order and justice.
It creates dramatic tension and anticipation for the events that will unfold as Tobit, Tobias, and Sarah's paths converge.