This commentary places the ancient Jewish Tobit narrative in the broader context of the history of the tradition by analysing both the ideas it contains about ancient medicine and its conception of the Torah. It also presents a synchronic overall interpretation showing that the narrative is ultimately to be understood in terms of the theology of history. It explaines lucidly the way in which ancient Judaism was able to engage with the threat posed by the aggressive policies of the great empires during the period of Hellenistic rule. In this context, the hymn of praise by the aged Tobit at the end of the narrative in Tob. 13 opens up prospects of hope for those to whom it is addressed.

Prof. Beate Ego teaches exegesis and theology of the Old Testament at Ruhr University of Bochum.