THE BOOK OF TOBIT - PART II

THE CHARACTERS AND CONNECTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

I. The cast of characters in the book combine mostly good, but not superhuman, main characters, in the midst of the archangel and the demon, with a less faithful group in the background.

A. Tobit is a faithful Jew with a good family.

2. He is very willing to accept sufferings as a punishment or test from God.

5. He wants his son, not only to recover the money, but likely also to prove himself.

B. Anna, Tobit's wife, if very faithful and courageous, but very anxious for family unity.

2. After Tobit's blindness and loss of Aliqar's patronage, she supports the family.

D. Sarah is a classic fair, good maiden in distress.

H. Ahiqar is a legendary figure of the ancient far east.

II. Although not speaking directly of the Messiah or of an afterlife with rewards for good and punishment for evil, the book sets up these themes, as well as some of the moral teachings of Jesus.