Why do you need to know my tribe?: Raphael’s questioning reply takes up the word tribe, omitted in Good News Translation, but we should notice that the exchange here reminds us of Jacob’s encounter with the “man” in Gen 32.29, and of the angel’s meeting with Samson’s father in Jdg 13.17-18.

I want to be sure and “Tell me the truth” (Good News Translation) are both good renderings of the Greek, which is really quite clear. But some scholars believe a mistake was made in translating from Hebrew, which they suggest may have had “I want to know your tribe,” which in fact is what the alternate Greek text has. The Greek word for to be sure will reappear in 5.14 when this is repeated, so it is likely to be original here also, and translators are urged to follow the interpretation of New Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation.

Whose son you are: Tobit’s question as to Raphael’s identity is concerned with his family line, and should not be translated merely as “who are you?” (Good News Translation). He asks for the name of his father in particular (compare Saul’s question regarding David in 1 Sam 17.55, 58). Tobit’s concern with Raphael’s family is too great to be condensed into “who are you?”

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.