Tobit 4:12 - Beware, my child, of all whoredom, and take first a wife of the seed of your fathers. Don’t take a strange wife, who is not of your father’s tribe; for we are the descendants of the prophets. Remember, my child, that Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our fathers of old time, all took wives of their kindred, and were blessed in their children, and their seed will inherit the land.
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What does "Tobit 4:12" mean?
This verse from Tobit 4:12 (from the Book of Tobit, which is considered deuterocanonical scripture by some Christian denominations) expresses a strong preference for marrying within one's own family or tribe and discourages marrying outside of it. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"Beware, my child, of all whoredom...": This is a general exhortation to avoid sexual immorality. "Whoredom" is used here to broadly encompass all forms of sexual sin outside of marriage. It sets the stage for the specific advice that follows.
"...and take first a wife of the seed of your fathers.": This is the key point. Tobit is telling his son, Tobias, to prioritize marrying someone from their own lineage, someone who shares their ancestral heritage. "Seed of your fathers" refers to someone of the same descent and tribe.
"Don’t take a strange wife, who is not of your father’s tribe...": This reinforces the previous point. A "strange wife" is one who is foreign to their family and tribal affiliation. The prohibition emphasizes the importance of maintaining tribal and familial purity.
"...for we are the descendants of the prophets.": This provides a justification for the preference. By claiming descent from the prophets, the verse implies that marrying within the family or tribe is necessary to preserve their religious and cultural heritage and maintain the lineage of those specially chosen by God.
"Remember, my child, that Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our fathers of old time, all took wives of their kindred...": This offers historical precedent. It references important figures from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) who married relatives (or at least within their close communities) as examples to be followed. The verse uses this history to legitimize and support the practice of marrying within one's family. It's worth noting that the exact relationships in these biblical accounts are sometimes debated, and the term "kindred" is used broadly.
"...and were blessed in their children, and their seed will inherit the land.": This connects marrying within the group to divine blessings and the promise of inheriting the land. It suggests that obeying this advice will ensure the continuation of their family, prosperity, and continued possession of their ancestral land. The blessing of children is seen as a direct result of adhering to this practice.
In summary, the verse from Tobit 4:12 strongly advocates for endogamy (marrying within a defined group) to maintain tribal purity, preserve religious and cultural heritage, ensure divine blessings, and secure the inheritance of the land. It appeals to both familial loyalty, religious identity, and historical examples to support its position.
It's important to understand this verse within its historical and cultural context. In ancient Near Eastern societies, maintaining tribal and familial identity was crucial for survival, land ownership, and preserving traditions. Marriage was often seen as a way to strengthen alliances and protect the group's interests.
Today, some interpret this verse literally, while others view it more allegorically, focusing on the importance of shared values and compatibility in marriage rather than strict adherence to tribal or familial restrictions. Many contemporary Christians, especially outside of cultures with strong tribal traditions, would not see this verse as a binding requirement for marriage, but rather as a reflection of the values of the time in which it was written.
Tobit 4:12 - Beware, my child, of all whoredom, and take first a wife of the seed of your fathers. Don’t take a strange wife, who is not of your father’s tribe; for we are the descendants of the prophets. Remember, my child, that Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our fathers of old time, all took wives of their kindred, and were blessed in their children, and their seed will inherit the land.
What does "Tobit 4:12" mean?
This verse from Tobit 4:12 (from the Book of Tobit, which is considered deuterocanonical scripture by some Christian denominations) expresses a strong preference for marrying within one's own family or tribe and discourages marrying outside of it. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"Beware, my child, of all whoredom...": This is a general exhortation to avoid sexual immorality. "Whoredom" is used here to broadly encompass all forms of sexual sin outside of marriage. It sets the stage for the specific advice that follows.
"...and take first a wife of the seed of your fathers.": This is the key point. Tobit is telling his son, Tobias, to prioritize marrying someone from their own lineage, someone who shares their ancestral heritage. "Seed of your fathers" refers to someone of the same descent and tribe.
"Don’t take a strange wife, who is not of your father’s tribe...": This reinforces the previous point. A "strange wife" is one who is foreign to their family and tribal affiliation. The prohibition emphasizes the importance of maintaining tribal and familial purity.
"...for we are the descendants of the prophets.": This provides a justification for the preference. By claiming descent from the prophets, the verse implies that marrying within the family or tribe is necessary to preserve their religious and cultural heritage and maintain the lineage of those specially chosen by God.
"Remember, my child, that Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our fathers of old time, all took wives of their kindred...": This offers historical precedent. It references important figures from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) who married relatives (or at least within their close communities) as examples to be followed. The verse uses this history to legitimize and support the practice of marrying within one's family. It's worth noting that the exact relationships in these biblical accounts are sometimes debated, and the term "kindred" is used broadly.
"...and were blessed in their children, and their seed will inherit the land.": This connects marrying within the group to divine blessings and the promise of inheriting the land. It suggests that obeying this advice will ensure the continuation of their family, prosperity, and continued possession of their ancestral land. The blessing of children is seen as a direct result of adhering to this practice.
In summary, the verse from Tobit 4:12 strongly advocates for endogamy (marrying within a defined group) to maintain tribal purity, preserve religious and cultural heritage, ensure divine blessings, and secure the inheritance of the land. It appeals to both familial loyalty, religious identity, and historical examples to support its position.
It's important to understand this verse within its historical and cultural context. In ancient Near Eastern societies, maintaining tribal and familial identity was crucial for survival, land ownership, and preserving traditions. Marriage was often seen as a way to strengthen alliances and protect the group's interests.
Today, some interpret this verse literally, while others view it more allegorically, focusing on the importance of shared values and compatibility in marriage rather than strict adherence to tribal or familial restrictions. Many contemporary Christians, especially outside of cultures with strong tribal traditions, would not see this verse as a binding requirement for marriage, but rather as a reflection of the values of the time in which it was written.