14:1 So Tobit made an end of praising God. 2 And he was eight and fifty years old when he lost his sight, which was restored to him after eight years: and he gave alms, and he increased in the fear of the Lord God, and praised him.

14:3 And when he was very aged he called his son, and the sons of his son, and said to him, My son, take your children; for, behold, I am aged, and am ready to depart out of this life.

BEDE. At that time also all the faithful and upright teachers among the Jews, who live in this world yet are about to leave it, will warn their kindred that the end of the world is near and that the future life’s bounties are coming soon. [Bede the Venerable, Allegorica interpretatio in Tobiam, PL 91.935D]’®

14:4 Go into Media my son, for I surely believe those things which Jonah the prophet spoke of Nineveh, that it shall be overthrown; and that for a time peace shall rather be in Media; and that our brethren shall lie scattered in the earth from that good land: and Jerusalem shall be desolate, and the house of God in it shall be burned, and shall be desolate for a time;

JEROME. And, indeed, according to the Hebrew and Greek historians, Herodotus in particular, we read that Nineveh was destroyed in the time of King Josiah according to the Hebrews, and King Astyage of the Medians. From this we understand that in the past Jonah predicted that the Ninivites would repent and seek pardon; but afterwards, as they persisted in their sins, they brought the judgment of God upon themselves. [Jerome, Commentary on Jonah, Prologue]”

14:5 And that again God will have mercy on them, and bring them again into the land, where they shall build a temple, but not like to the first, until the time of that age be fulfilled; and afterward they shall return from all places of their captivity, and build up Jerusalem gloriously, and the house of God shall be built in it forever with a glorious building, as the prophets have spoken thereof. 6 And all nations shall turn, and fear the Lord God truly, and shall bury their idols. 7 So shall all nations praise the Lord, and his people shall confess God, and the Lord shall exalt his people; and all those which love the Lord God in truth and justice shall rejoice, shewing mercy to our brethren.

14:8 And now, my son, depart out of Nineveh, because that those things which the prophet Jonah spoke shall surely come to pass.

BEDE. This is to say to his hearers among the faithful, ‘Guide your heart’s intention so that you may forsake the desires of this world and of earthly ways and seek heavenly things with your whole mind.’ For it is well known that the multitude of the wicked and the transgression of God’s precepts throughout the world are so great that they can be stopped only by destroying that world, as it once was in the flood, and by annihilating all humankind. [Bede the Venerable, Allegorica interpretatio in Tobiam, PL 91. 936B]°°

14:9 But you keep the law and the commandments, and show yourself merciful and just, that it may go well with you. 10 And bury me decently, and your mother with me; but tarry no longer at Nineveh. Remember, my son, how Aman handled Achiacharus that brought him up, how out of light he brought him into darkness, and how he rewarded him again: yet Achiacharus was saved, but the other had his reward: for he went down into darkness. Manasses gave alms, and escaped the snares of death which they had set for him: but Aman fell into the snare, and perished. 11 Wherefore now, my son, consider what alms does, and how righteousness does deliver. When he had said these things, he gave up the ghost in the bed, being an hundred and eight and fifty years old; and he buried him honorably. 12 And when Anna his mother was dead, he buried her with his father. But Tobias departed with his wife and children to Ecbatane to Raguel his father in law,

14:13 Where he became old with honor, and he buried his father and mother in law honorably, and he inherited their substance, and his father Tobit’s. 14 And he died at Ecbatane in Media, being an hundred and seven and twenty years old. 15 But before he died he heard of the destruction of Nineveh, which was taken by Nabuchodonosor and Assuerus: and before his death he rejoiced over Nineveh.

BEDE. Tobit’s burial signifies the end of the whole world, when our Lord with his whole body-which is the Church he has redeemed-shall enter into eternal rest, with the angels rejoicing over the fellowship of redeemed human beings and assigning each one, their Maker’s members as it were, to the heavenly homeland’s various mansions in accordance with the variety of merits. [Bede the Venerable, Allegorica interpretatio in Tobiam, PL 91. 936D]*