How can I obtain the money from him…?: Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, and New Revised Standard Version supply the money as object of the verb obtain or “get” (Good News Translation); Greek says simply “it.” Money is clearly in focus in the context of the whole narrative, but it is especially important to state such matters clearly at the beginning of sections, where some people will begin reading. It is also for this reason that Good News Translation helpfully supplies the name “Gabael” for him.

Since he does not know me and I do not know him: The conjunction since makes a connection between Tobias’s question and the statement that he and Gabael do not know each other. The Greek has simply “and.” Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version leave the connection to be understood from a series of sentences stacked on one another conversationally. Contemporary English Version is short and direct: “I don’t know Gabael, and he doesn’t know me!”

What evidence am I to give to him, so that he will recognize and trust me…?: Evidence is literally “sign” or “indication.” Such a sign could be a password, a secret gesture, or as is actually the case here, a piece of physical evidence. In a number of languages, evidence will involve some sort of “sign” or “proof”; for example, “What sign can I give him to prove that…?” Both Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version have similar models. Good News Translation combines recognize with evidence by the construction, “How can I prove to him who I am…?” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

Also, I do not know the roads to Media, or how to get there: Also at the start of Tobias’s last statement (Good News Translation “Besides that,” Greek “and”) helps to emphasize his confusion over how he can possibly do what his father wishes. The problem of Gabael and Tobias recognizing each other is big enough, but before that is faced, Tobias first has to “get to Media” (Good News Translation), and he doesn’t even know the roads or how to get there. These two clauses mean practically the same thing; so Good News Translation conveys the idea with “I don’t know how to get to Media” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

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.