Tobit

1. Concept of God

· Divine Patron (necessity for praise in return—e.g. Tob 12:7)

· Sense of destiny (Tob 6:18)

· Angelic intermediaries involved (Raphael—cf. 12:15)

· Angels do not eat (12:19).

· Demons also exist (e.g. Tob 8:3)

2. Concept of Israel

· Deuteronomistic—Jerusalem the appropriate place of worship (Tob 1:4; 5:14)

· Importance of festival keeping (e.g. Tob 2:1)

3. Concept of Sin/Salvation

· Sin is violation of Mosaic covenant (e.g. Tob 7:12)

· Punishment/reward meted out in this world

· No hell to shun

4. Eschatology

· No sense of existence after death (Tob 4:10; 5:10)

· No “world to come”—looks to the restoration of Israel (e.g. Tob 13:5); No messianic figure mentioned.

· Current period with the second temple is not the fulfillment of prophecy—better times are yet to come, including a true return from exile (Tob 14:5)

5. Ethic

· Strong emphasis on almsgiving to the needy (e.g. Tob 1:17; 4:10; 14:11)

· Golden Rule (4:15)

6. Special Features

· Marriage best within extended family (Tob 1:9)

· Rule of levirite marriage followed

· Incorporates Ahikar tradition

· Overtones of magic

· Prayer significant (3:16)

· Love does not require meeting the person (6:18)