Tobit 7:10 - for it belongs to you to take my child. However I will tell you the truth.

Generated Verse: Tobit 7:10

What does "Tobit 7:10" mean?


This verse is from the Book of Tobit, a deuterocanonical book in the Bible (part of the Catholic and Orthodox Old Testament, but not included in the Protestant Old Testament). Here's a breakdown of what it means:

Context: Tobit sends his son, Tobias, on a journey to collect a debt. The angel Raphael accompanies Tobias in disguise. In this chapter, Tobias arrives at the house of Raguel, who is a relative. Raguel has a daughter named Sarah who has been married seven times, but each husband has been killed by the demon Asmodeus on their wedding night before the marriage could be consummated.

"for it belongs to you to take my child": Raguel recognizes Tobias's right to marry Sarah. This is based on the laws of consanguinity (being related by blood). Because Sarah has been widowed multiple times, and no children have been produced, the duty to marry her falls on the next closest male relative. This shows Raguel's respect for Jewish law and tradition regarding marriage within the family.

"However I will tell you the truth.": Raguel is about to reveal the tragic truth about Sarah's previous husbands. He is likely hesitant but feels obligated to be honest with Tobias. He is forewarning Tobias that Sarah is not just a normal, unmarried woman, but one with a very dangerous and tragic history. Raguel is likely worried that Tobias will meet the same fate as the previous husbands.

In summary, the verse expresses Raguel's acceptance of Tobias's right to marry Sarah while also preparing him for the potentially deadly secret about her past. He is acknowledging the legal and familial obligations while simultaneously warning Tobias of the danger he might face.

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