Tobit 3:8 - because that she had been given to seven husbands, and Asmodaeus the evil spirit killed them, before they had lain with her. And they said to her, “Do you not know that you strangle your husbands? You have had already seven husbands, and you haven’t borne the name of any one of them.
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What does "Tobit 3:8" mean?
This verse from Tobit 3:8 describes the dire situation of Sarah, who is plagued by a demon named Asmodaeus. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"because that she had been given to seven husbands, and Asmodaeus the evil spirit killed them, before they had lain with her." - Sarah has married seven different men, but each time, before the marriage could be consummated (before they could have sexual relations), the demon Asmodaeus killed the husband. This highlights the supernatural element causing Sarah's suffering. The fact that Asmodaeus kills them before they can lie with her emphasizes the impediment to marriage and procreation.
"And they said to her, “Do you not know that you strangle your husbands? You have had already seven husbands, and you haven’t borne the name of any one of them." - This shows the community's perception of Sarah. They believe she is somehow responsible for the deaths of her husbands, attributing it to some sort of curse or evil influence. The phrase "you strangle your husbands" isn't necessarily literal; it's a metaphorical way of accusing her of causing their deaths. The statement that she hasn't "borne the name of any one of them" means she has not conceived any children with any of her husbands. In that culture, a woman's identity and social standing were heavily tied to her ability to bear children, especially sons, and carry on the family lineage. Without children, she remained a woman without a familial name or identity and a burden to her family.
In essence, the verse conveys:
Sarah's extreme misfortune: She's widowed seven times over, each time before the marriage could be consummated.
Supernatural intervention: The killings are attributed to a demon, not natural causes.
Social stigma: The community blames Sarah for the deaths and ostracizes her, accusing her of being a "husband-killer" and of failing to fulfill her societal role as a wife and mother.
Desperation: This verse sets the stage for Sarah's own plea to God for relief from her suffering, which ultimately leads to the intervention of the angel Raphael.
The verse paints a picture of a woman in a desperate situation, suffering under a double burden of supernatural attack and social condemnation. This sets the stage for the rest of the story of Tobit, where her fate intertwines with that of Tobias, and both find healing and deliverance through faith and divine intervention.
Tobit 3:8 - because that she had been given to seven husbands, and Asmodaeus the evil spirit killed them, before they had lain with her. And they said to her, “Do you not know that you strangle your husbands? You have had already seven husbands, and you haven’t borne the name of any one of them.
What does "Tobit 3:8" mean?
This verse from Tobit 3:8 describes the dire situation of Sarah, who is plagued by a demon named Asmodaeus. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"because that she had been given to seven husbands, and Asmodaeus the evil spirit killed them, before they had lain with her." - Sarah has married seven different men, but each time, before the marriage could be consummated (before they could have sexual relations), the demon Asmodaeus killed the husband. This highlights the supernatural element causing Sarah's suffering. The fact that Asmodaeus kills them before they can lie with her emphasizes the impediment to marriage and procreation.
"And they said to her, “Do you not know that you strangle your husbands? You have had already seven husbands, and you haven’t borne the name of any one of them." - This shows the community's perception of Sarah. They believe she is somehow responsible for the deaths of her husbands, attributing it to some sort of curse or evil influence. The phrase "you strangle your husbands" isn't necessarily literal; it's a metaphorical way of accusing her of causing their deaths. The statement that she hasn't "borne the name of any one of them" means she has not conceived any children with any of her husbands. In that culture, a woman's identity and social standing were heavily tied to her ability to bear children, especially sons, and carry on the family lineage. Without children, she remained a woman without a familial name or identity and a burden to her family.
In essence, the verse conveys:
Sarah's extreme misfortune: She's widowed seven times over, each time before the marriage could be consummated.
Supernatural intervention: The killings are attributed to a demon, not natural causes.
Social stigma: The community blames Sarah for the deaths and ostracizes her, accusing her of being a "husband-killer" and of failing to fulfill her societal role as a wife and mother.
Desperation: This verse sets the stage for Sarah's own plea to God for relief from her suffering, which ultimately leads to the intervention of the angel Raphael.
The verse paints a picture of a woman in a desperate situation, suffering under a double burden of supernatural attack and social condemnation. This sets the stage for the rest of the story of Tobit, where her fate intertwines with that of Tobias, and both find healing and deliverance through faith and divine intervention.