The Significance of Food, Eating, Death and Burial in the Book of Tobit

In this paper, I discuss twelve instances in the Book of Tobit (henceforth, Tobit) in which the motifs of food, eating, death and burial are combined. More specifically, I examine the function of this motif combination, and argue that the twelve instances mentioned showcase character, draw the reader into the tale through various narrative means, and lead towards the denouement of the tale. My study contributes to Tobit studies in that, to the best of my knowledge, it highlights the significance of this motif combination for the first time in the history of Tobit interpretation.