This verse from Tobit 7:18 is a blessing and words of comfort offered to Sarah on her wedding night. Let's break it down:
"Be comforted, my child." This is a direct expression of empathy and compassion. The speaker (Raguel, Sarah's father) sees Sarah's distress and wants to ease her pain. He acknowledges her suffering, likely stemming from the deaths of her previous seven husbands.
"May the Lord of heaven and earth give you favor for this your sorrow." This is a prayer. Raguel calls upon God, the creator and ruler of all things, to bestow grace and blessing upon Sarah in the midst of her grief. The phrase "favor for this your sorrow" suggests that God will turn her sorrow into something positive, perhaps healing, redemption, or a future filled with happiness. It's not necessarily saying the sorrow will disappear, but that God will use it for good.
"Be comforted, my daughter." This reinforces the initial sentiment. It's a tender reassurance from a father to his daughter, expressing love and support.
In summary, the verse expresses:
Empathy and acknowledgment of Sarah's sorrow.
A prayer for divine favor and blessing.
A loving and comforting sentiment from a father to his daughter.
The verse highlights the importance of offering comfort to those who are suffering and turning to God in times of sorrow, trusting that He can bring healing and redemption. It also reflects the close family bonds and deep faith present in the Book of Tobit. It's worth noting that Sarah's situation was not just normal marital anxiety, but a truly tragic situation with supernatural causes, so the prayer for divine intervention is particularly pertinent.
This verse from Tobit 7:18 is a blessing and words of comfort offered to Sarah on her wedding night. Let's break it down:
"Be comforted, my child." This is a direct expression of empathy and compassion. The speaker (Raguel, Sarah's father) sees Sarah's distress and wants to ease her pain. He acknowledges her suffering, likely stemming from the deaths of her previous seven husbands.
"May the Lord of heaven and earth give you favor for this your sorrow." This is a prayer. Raguel calls upon God, the creator and ruler of all things, to bestow grace and blessing upon Sarah in the midst of her grief. The phrase "favor for this your sorrow" suggests that God will turn her sorrow into something positive, perhaps healing, redemption, or a future filled with happiness. It's not necessarily saying the sorrow will disappear, but that God will use it for good.
"Be comforted, my daughter." This reinforces the initial sentiment. It's a tender reassurance from a father to his daughter, expressing love and support.
In summary, the verse expresses:
Empathy and acknowledgment of Sarah's sorrow.
A prayer for divine favor and blessing.
A loving and comforting sentiment from a father to his daughter.
The verse highlights the importance of offering comfort to those who are suffering and turning to God in times of sorrow, trusting that He can bring healing and redemption. It also reflects the close family bonds and deep faith present in the Book of Tobit. It's worth noting that Sarah's situation was not just normal marital anxiety, but a truly tragic situation with supernatural causes, so the prayer for divine intervention is particularly pertinent.