Tobias of the tribe and city of Nephtali, (which is in the upper parts of Galilee above Naasson, beyond the way that leadeth to the west, having on the right hand the city of Sephet,)

“Tobias, “good God,” (Tirinus) is styled Tobis, by the ancient Latin version and St. Ambrose, and Tobit by the Greek and Syriac. These copies and the Hebrew give a genealogy which does not agree. (Calmet) — Grabe’s edition, “The book of the words (or transactions) of Tobit, Son of Tobiel, son of Ananiel, son of Adouel, (manuscript has Nave) son of Galael, (manuscript, Gamael) of the seed of Asiel, of the tribe of Nephthali, ( 2 ) who was made captive in the days of Enemessar, king of the Assyrians, from Thisbe, (manuscript, Thibe) which is on the right properly (manuscript, of Kudis; Haydock) or Cades, capital (Calmet) of Nephthali in Galilee, above Aser. I, Tobit, walked in the ways of truth and of justice all the days of my life.” (Haydock) — Nehemias and the prophets frequently speak of themselves in the first person. The truth of the history is the same. (Du Hamel) — Beyond, or behind; ( post; Haydock) as the Hebrews speak with reference to a man turned towards the east. Hence this way would be on the west, and Sephet on the north.”

“"Tobias." The book of Tobias is wholesome on the surface of the letter. For it abounds in the greatest examples of the moral life, and in warnings. But by as much as fruits surpass leaves, by so much does the allegory surpass the history. For it contains the greatest mysteries of the Church. For Tobias himself signifies the people of Israel, who, while the rest of the nations were given over to idolatry, served God with right faith and works. Whence: "When they went, etc." For Jeroboam, who fashioned golden calves for the deceiving of his subjects, expresses the worshippers of idolatry, whose accomplices are signified in the subjects. "Nephtlali." Breadth, of which: "Thy commandment is exceeding broad"; whose tribe, that is the sons, is the faithful people; its city is the Church, of which: "A city set upon a mountain cannot be hid." "Above Naasson." Naasson, augury; the city of this one augurs the things above, that is, contemplates heavenly things. The captivity of Tobias designates the captivity of the human race under the king of all the depraved, that is, the devil, who cast us down from the heavenly fatherland into the valley of this exile.”