Prologue

Greetings in the Lord, from Jerome the priest, to Cromatius and Heliodorus and the Bishops.

I do not cease to wonder at the demand of your request. For you insist I get a book written in the Chaldean language into Latin writing, certainly the book of Tobit, which the Hebrews cut from the list of Divine Scriptures, relating those things which they have transferred to Hagiographa. I have done enough for your desire, but not by my pursuit. For the zeal of the Hebrews rebuke us and charge us, to translate this for the ears of Latins against their canon. But it is better to be judging the judgment of the Pharisees and to displease them and serve the commands of bishops, as I have practiced.  I have persisted as I have been able, and because the language of the Chaldeans is close to Hebrew speech, finding a speaker very skilled in both languages, I took to the work of one day, and whatever he expressed to me in Hebrew words, this, with a summoned scribe, I have set forth in Latin words. I will be paid the price of this work by your prayers, when, by your grace, I will have learned what you request to have been completed by me was worthy.



*COUNCIL OF CARTHAGE The Council of Carthage confirmed in the universal Synod. It was decided that addition to the Canonical Scriptures, nothing be read in the Church under the name of divine Scriptures. These are, however, the Canonical Scriptures: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Daniel, Tobit, etc.

*COUNCIL OF FLORENCE The Church professes that one and the same God is the author of the Old and the New Testament, that is, the Law and the Prophets, and the Gospels, since the holy ones of both Testaments spoke under the inspiration of the same Spirit. The Church accepts and venerates their books, whose are as follows. Five books of Moses, namely Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; Joshua, Judges, Ruth, four books of Kings, two of Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, etc.

*CLEMENT OF ROME In the Old Testament it is written; 'What you don't want done to you, don't do it to others (Tobit 4:16).

*POPE ALEXANDER I If there is no Trinity, then why is it taught in Tobit in such a way, 'The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you (Tobit 7:15).'

*CYPRIAN The Holy Spirit speaks in the sacred Scriptures, and says, 'By alms-giving and faith sins are purged (Tobit 12:9).' 

*CYPRIAN Therefore Scripture teaches, saying, 'Prayer is good, with fasting and alms (Tobit 12:8).'

*AMBROSE After reading the prophetical book that is entitled Tobit, although the Scripture has made fully known to us the virtues of the holy prophet, nevertheless I think I should present to you an epitomized account containing an enumeration of his merits and works, in order that what the Scripture has treated more extensively in a historical way we may describe more concisely.

*ATHANASIUS This is called the book of Tobit because it contains his story. He was however from the tribe of Naphtali, etc.. Moreover Tobit was 58 when he was blinded, 66 when he regained his sight.

*ATHANASIUS The beginning of Tobit begins with, 'This book tells the story of Tobit, son of Tobit, son of Hananiel (Tobit 1:1)', and so on.

ST. BEDE The book of Tobit, on the surface of the text, is beneficial.  For it especially promotes a moral life and gives an abundance of examples and teachings.  Just as fruit surpasses the leaves, so the allegorical meaning surpasses the historical meaning alone.  For it contains the greatest mysteries of the Church.  For Tobit signifies the people of Israel, who served God with a true faith and works, while others were dedicated to idolatry.  'Moreover when all went to the golden calves etc (Tobit 1:5-6)'.  For Jeroboam built the golden calves in order to deceive his subjects, he represents the worshipers of idolatry.