Tobit 5:13 - And he said to him, “Welcome, brother. Don’t be angry with me, because I sought to know your tribe and family. You are my brother, of an honest and good lineage; for I knew Ananias and Jathan, the sons of Shemaiah the great, when we went together to Jerusalem to worship, and offered the firstborn, and the tenths of our increase; and they didn’t go went astray in the error of our kindred. My brother, you are of a great stock.

Generated Verse: Tobit 5:13

What does "Tobit 5:13" mean?


This verse from Tobit 5:13 is a passage where Tobit's son, Tobias, is being addressed by the angel Raphael, who is traveling with him in disguise as a man named Azarias. It essentially means:

"Welcome, brother." - A greeting of friendship and acceptance.
"Don’t be angry with me, because I sought to know your tribe and family." - Raphael (Azarias) apologizes for having inquired about Tobias's background. In ancient times, knowing someone's lineage was crucial for determining trustworthiness and social standing. It was common to be cautious of strangers until their background was verified.
"You are my brother, of an honest and good lineage." - Raphael assures Tobias that he considers him a brother now that he knows his family history. He judges Tobias's family to be honorable and virtuous.
"for I knew Ananias and Jathan, the sons of Shemaiah the great, when we went together to Jerusalem to worship, and offered the firstborn, and the tenths of our increase; and they didn’t go astray in the error of our kindred." - This is the crucial part. Raphael claims to personally know members of Tobias's extended family (Ananias and Jathan) and recalls them worshipping together in Jerusalem. The key here is the phrase "and they didn't go astray in the error of our kindred." This suggests that some within their broader kinship group had deviated from proper religious observance or moral conduct. However, Ananias and Jathan, according to Raphael, remained faithful and upright. The offering of the firstborn and tenths refers to the religious practice of giving the best of their produce and livestock to God, a sign of their piety.
"My brother, you are of a great stock." - Raphael concludes by reiterating his respect for Tobias's family and its heritage, emphasizing their strong and honorable lineage.

In summary, Raphael is vetting Tobias and, after learning about his family and claiming to know some of his relatives, assures him of his trustworthiness and their shared connection as good and faithful people. This is a way for Raphael to build trust with Tobias before they embark on their journey together.

It's important to remember the context: Raphael is an angel in disguise, guiding Tobias on a mission ordained by God. His validation of Tobias's family reinforces the idea that Tobias is worthy of divine assistance and that his family is deserving of God's favor.

What categories does "Tobit 5:13" have?