What is said of the book of Judith may also be said of this book of Tobiah. If it is a story, then it is a fine, holy story. But if it is a poem, then it is truly a quite beautiful, wholesome, useful poem and play by a witty poet. And it is to be assumed that there were many such beautiful poems and games among the Jews, in which they practiced on their feasts and Sabbaths, and thus presented God's word and work to the youth with pleasure, especially since they sat in good peace and government. For they have had excellent people, as prophets, singers, poets and the like, who have practiced God's word diligently and in all kinds of ways.
2. and God grant that the Greeks have taken their way of playing "comedy" and tragedy from the Jews, as well as much other wisdom and worship etc. For Judith gives a good, serious, brave tragedy; so Tobias gives a fine, lovely, godly comedy. For just as the book of Judith shows how the land and the people are often miserable, and how the tyrants first rage with hope and finally fall to the ground in disgrace, so the book of Tobias shows how a pious farmer or citizen also suffers, and there is much suffering in the state of marriage, but God always graciously helps, and finally ends the end with joy, so that the spouses should learn to have patience, and gladly bear all kinds of suffering in the hope of the future, in the right fear of God and firm faith.
(3) And the Greek copy almost appears to have been a game, for it says
all in Toby's person, as the persons in the play are wont to do. After that, a master came and put such a game into a proper speech. The names are also well suited to this. For Tobias is called a pious man; he also begets a Tobias again, and must live in driving and care, both for the sake of the tyrants and his neighbors. In addition (so that no misfortune is alone) he also becomes bliud, and finally also at odds with his dear Hannah, and sends her son away, and is indeed a miserable, miserable life. But he remains firm in faith, patience and good works. Hanna is called a lovely housewife, who lives with her husband in love and friendship. The devil Asmodes is called a destroyer or corrupter; this is the household devil, who hinders and corrupts everything, so that one cannot leave with child or servant. Sara is called a fighter or victor, who at last prevails, conquers and wins. Thus the angel Raphael (that is), physician or healer, is also there, and calls himself Azariah, that is, helper or succorer, the son of the great Azariah, that is, God the Most High's succorer, messenger or messenger. For God helps households, and stands by the spouses, otherwise they could not stay anywhere before the Asmod.
Therefore the book is useful and good for us Christians to read, as a fine Hebrew poet, who does not act frivolously, but the right things, and who writes and describes Christian things out of measure. And to such a book belongs Jesus Sirach, who is a right teacher and comforter of the common man and householder in all things, and Tobias is an example of just such a book.
*) This preface is found in Walch, in the Leipzig edition, vol. XII, p. 51 and in the Erlanger, vol. 63, p. 98.