Promptly; that is, “without further delay” (Good News Translation) or “immediately” (Contemporary English Version). The expression translates the Hebrew idiom “arose” (compare 9.5).

Gave Tobias his wife Sarah: Since Raguel has already given Sarah to Tobias in marriage (7.12), this simply means that he agreed to his daughter leaving home with her husband.

Half of all his property may be rendered “half of everything he owned” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). The reference is to Raguel’s property, not Tobias’s.

Male and female slaves: The Greek uses specific terms for male slaves and female slaves, as reflected in New Revised Standard Version. Good News Translation simply says “slaves” since in English the term covers both sexes. Slaves are people who are the property of their masters. They work for no pay and have no rights. The term for female slaves is actually the same word used in 3.7 and 8.12, where it is translated “maids.” There the women were discussed in their function as servants, but here they are mentioned as property, so “slaves” is a good translation in this context.

For oxen and sheep, see 8.19.

Donkeys are domesticated pack animals similar to horses, but with larger ears and shorter legs. In areas where donkeys are unknown, the translator may use a loan word. However, it is also possible to use a descriptive phrase such as “an animal called ‘donkey’ for carrying loads.” An illustration will also be helpful to help readers understand what a donkey looks like.

For camels see 9.2.

Household goods: This rendering or “household things” (Contemporary English Version) is better than “furniture” (Good News Translation), which suggests larger, more cumbersome objects than the author had in mind. The reference in this context is probably to objects such as rugs, lamps, pots, and metal or ceramic pieces for use in a household.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Tobit. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.