Book of Tobit

biblical literature

Alternate titles: The Book of Tobias

Tobit, also called The Book Of Tobias, apocryphal work (noncanonical for Jews and Protestants) that found its way into the Roman Catholic canon via the Septuagint. A religious folktale and a Judaicized version of the story of the grateful dead, it relates how Tobit, a pious Jew exiled to Nineveh in Assyria, observed the precepts of Hebrew Law by giving alms and by burying the dead. In spite of his good works, Tobit was struck blind.

Concurrent with Tobit’s story is that of Sarah, daughter of Tobit’s closest relative, whose seven successive husbands were each killed by a demon on their wedding night. When Tobit and Sarah pray to God for deliverance, God sends the angel Raphael to act as intercessor. Tobit regains his sight, and Sarah marries Tobit’s son Tobias. The story closes with Tobit’s song of thanksgiving and an account of his death.

The book is primarily concerned with the problem of reconciling evil in the world with divine justice. Tobit and Sarah are pious Jews unaccountably afflicted by malevolent forces, but their faith is finally rewarded, and God is vindicated as both just and omnipotent. Other major themes are the need for Jews living outside Palestine to observe religious law strictly and the promise of the restoration of Israel as a nation.

Historical inaccuracies, archaisms, and confused geographic references indicate that the book was not actually written at Nineveh in the early 7th century BC. Rather, its emphasis on the burial of the dead suggests it was written, possibly at Antioch, during the reign (175–164 BC) of Antiochus IV Epiphanes of Syria, when Jews faithful to their religion were forbidden to bury their dead.

The Book of Tobit

1:1 The book of the words of Tobit, son of Tobiel, the son of Ananiel, the son of Aduel, the son of Gabael, of the seed of Asael, of the tribe of Nephthali;

1:2 Who in the time of Enemessar king of the Assyrians was led captive out of Thisbe, which is at the right hand of that city, which is called properly Nephthali in Galilee above Aser.

1:3 I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the ways of truth and justice, and I did many almsdeeds to my brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Nineve, into the land of the Assyrians.

1:4 And when I was in mine own country, in the land of Israel being but young, all the tribe of Nephthali my father fell from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, where the temple of the habitation of the most High was consecrated and built for all ages.

1:5 Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.

1:6 But I alone went often to Jerusalem at the feasts, as it was ordained unto all the people of Israel by an everlasting decree, having the firstfruits and tenths of increase, with that which was first shorn; and them gave I at the altar to the priests the children of Aaron.

1:7 The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the sons of Aaron, who ministered at Jerusalem: another tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it every year at Jerusalem:

1:8 And the third I gave unto them to whom it was meet, as Debora my father’s mother had commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father.

1:9 Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married Anna of mine own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias.

1:10 And when we were carried away captives to Nineve, all my brethren and those that were of my kindred did eat of the bread of the Gentiles.

1:11 But I kept myself from eating;

1:12 Because I remembered God with all my heart.

1:13 And the most High gave me grace and favour before Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor.

1:14 And I went into Media, and left in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabrias, at Rages a city of Media ten talents of silver.

1:15 Now when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead; whose estate was troubled, that I could not go into Media.

1:16 And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren, and gave my bread to the hungry,

1:17 And my clothes to the naked: and if I saw any of my nation dead, or cast about the walls of Nineve, I buried him.

1:18 And if the king Sennacherib had slain any, when he was come, and fled from Judea, I buried them privily; for in his wrath he killed many; but the bodies were not found, when they were sought for of the king.

1:19 And when one of the Ninevites went and complained of me to the king, that I buried them, and hid myself; understanding that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear.

1:20 Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, neither was there any thing left me, beside my wife Anna and my son Tobias.

1:21 And there passed not five and fifty days, before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararath; and Sarchedonus his son reigned in his stead; who appointed over his father’s accounts, and over all his affairs, Achiacharus my brother Anael’s son.

1:22 And Achiacharus intreating for me, I returned to Nineve. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, and keeper of the signet, and steward, and overseer of the accounts: and Sarchedonus appointed him next unto him: and he was my brother’s son.

https://www.screenplay.biz/mel-gibson-could-play-iconic-role-in-book-of-tobit-film/

THE BOOK OF TOBIT

Movie Adaptation by Alan Nafzger

DOWNLOAD SCRIPT: https://www.screenplay.biz/book-of-tobit-movie/

MEL GIBSON as TOBIT? - https://www.screenplay.biz/mel-gibson-could-play-iconic-role-in-book-of-tobit-film/

HISTORICAL TOBIT

Many Bibles contain the Book of Tobit, which tells the story of Tobit and his family, who are living as exiles from Israel after the Assyrian conquest. It was set in 8^th century BC, but was probably first written down about 200 B.C. An Aramaic version was discovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls, but prior to that it was known from Greek and Latin manuscripts. It is included in the Bible via the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Old Testament.

FILM ADAPTATION OF TOBIT

I have set my adaptation in 1930s Amsterdam. Tobit is a pious Jew and the film culminates with the NAZI invasion. The audience will of course know Tobit will die at the end; they’ve read the bible. However, the question will be will he die before the Nazi invasion or will he be carted off to Auschwitz.

It is a Jewish story. If the producers don’t want to title the film Tobit, then Eight Jewish Weddings and a Funeral might work as well. Tobit however will gain the largest possible box office.

Through a series of events, Tobit goes blind and sends his son on a journey accompanied by the angel Raphael disguised as a human.

However, primarily Tobit's story is that of Sarah, daughter of Tobit's closest relative. Sarah’s seven successive husbands are each killed by a demon on their wedding night. The marriages are not consummated. When Tobit and Sarah pray to God for deliverance, God sends the angel Raphael to act as intercessor. God sends Raphael to heal Tobit’s blindness and also to deal with Sarah’s demon.

Dramatically, there isn't much more potential. Eight weddings, seven demonic murders, a good man who has lost his vision, two families whose futures are on the brink, an epic fight between an angel and a demon. AND ALL OF THIS, on the eve of the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands.

CHARACTERS IN TOBIT

Sarah – the bride

Tobias – the groom

Tobit – the father of the groom

Anna – the mother of the groom

Raguel – the father of the bride

Edan – the mother of the bride

Gabael – the banker

Raphael – Angel

Asmodius – Demon

Ahikar – Government official.

MEL GIBSON AS TOBIT

I recently did a survey of 102 Los Angeles casting directors and found 22 who were Catholic and familiar with the story and asking them to list their top five choices for the role. And a whopping 18 of them listed Mel Gibson as their first choice. Two listed Mel Gibson as their second choice. Janet Dailey at Daily Casting Research in Beverly Hills told me, "Mel Gibson is Catholic and certainly a good actor, but he's an exceptional director and an extraordinary producer. When you hire Mel Gibson, this movie is a lock."

TOBIT AND DEMOGRAPHICS

Worldwide there are about 900 million Catholics (including Mel Gibson) and 280 million Orthodox Christians who've grown up with the Old Testament story and are familiar with it. They will buy tickets or stream Tobit. Even Protestants, I believe, will attend the film if it is properly marketed as a faith-based film.

PIETY AND MORALITY

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, "The Book of Tobit, named after its principal character, combines Jewish piety and morality with folklore in a fascinating story that has enjoyed wide popularity in both Jewish and Christian circles. Prayers, psalms, and words of wisdom, as well as the skillfully constructed story itself, provide valuable insights into the faith and the religious milieu of its unknown author. The book was probably written early in the second century B.C.; it is not known where."

Alan Nafzger (alan.nafzger@gmail.com)

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