Tobit 10
1 Now Tobit his father counted every day: and when the days of the journey were expired, and they came not,
2 Then Tobit said, Are they detained? or is Gabael dead, and there is no man to give him the money?
3 Therefore he was very sorry.
4 Then his wife said unto him, My son is dead, seeing he stayeth long; and she began to wail him, and said,
5 Now I care for nothing, my son, since I have let thee go, the light of mine eyes.
6 To whom Tobit said, Hold thy peace, take no care, for he is safe.
7 But she said, Hold thy peace, and deceive me not; my son is dead. And she went out every day into the way which they went, and did eat no meat on the daytime, and ceased not whole nights to bewail her son Tobias, until the fourteen days of the wedding were expired, which Raguel had sworn that he should spend there. Then Tobias said to Raguel, Let me go, for my father and my mother look no more to see me.
8 But his father in law said unto him, Tarry with me, and I will send to thy father, and they shall declare unto him how things go with thee.
9 But Tobias said, No; but let me go to my father.
10 Then Raguel arose, and gave him Sara his wife, and half his goods, servants, and cattle, and money:
11 And he blessed them, and sent them away, saying, The God of heaven give you a prosperous journey, my children.
12 And he said to his daughter, Honour thy father and thy mother in law, which are now thy parents, that I may hear good report of thee. And he kissed her. Edna also said to Tobias, The Lord of heaven restore thee, my dear brother, and grant that I may see thy children of my daughter Sara before I die, that I may rejoice before the Lord: behold, I commit my daughter unto thee of special trust; where are do not entreat her evil.
Common Questions About Tobit 10
What happens back home while Tobias remains at Raguel's house in chapter 10?
Tobit and Anna grow increasingly anxious as Tobias's return is delayed beyond the expected time, with Anna weeping daily and fearing the worst, while Tobit tries to reassure her that the delay likely has a reasonable explanation.
What does this chapter reveal about the emotional cost of Tobias's journey for his parents?
Even though Tobias's journey was proceeding successfully and safely, his parents back home experienced real anxiety and grief simply from not knowing, illustrating how genuinely difficult waiting can be even when things are actually going well elsewhere.
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Questions to Think About
- Tobit and Anna suffered real anxiety during a delay that, unknown to them, was actually part of a genuinely good outcome unfolding. How do you manage your own anxiety during a period of uncertainty, especially when you can't yet see that things may actually be going well?
- Anna and Tobit responded to the same uncertain situation somewhat differently, one leaning toward fear and the other toward reassurance. How do you support a loved one who processes uncertainty and worry differently than you do?
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