Who are The Seven Sisters in the Bible?
The question of "Who are The Seven Sisters in the Bible?" might lead you to expect a prominent group of female figures, perhaps like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah. However, the Bible doesn't explicitly name or detail a group referred to as "The Seven Sisters" in the same way it does with other significant familial or religious groups. This can be a point of confusion for readers encountering this phrase.
Instead, the mention of "seven sisters" in the Bible appears in a specific and often overlooked passage. The most direct reference comes from the **Book of Tobit**, which is considered an apocryphal or deuterocanonical book by many Christian traditions (Protestant Bibles typically do not include it). In Tobit, the story revolves around Tobiah, the son of Tobit, and his quest to marry Sarah.
The Story of Sarah and the Seven Husbands in the Book of Tobit
The Book of Tobit tells the story of Sarah, a virtuous young woman who is cursed to have her seven betrothed husbands die on their wedding night before they could consummate the marriage. This sorrowful fate was brought about by a demon named Asmodeus, who was also in love with Sarah and killed each of her suitors out of jealousy.
The Seven Sisters and Their Tragic Fate
While the Bible doesn't name "The Seven Sisters" as a group in the same way it names, say, the twelve apostles, the context implies that Sarah is the central figure, and her seven deceased husbands, each with their own life story, are indirectly linked to her plight. The "seven sisters" here aren't sisters to each other in a traditional sense, but rather a collective description referring to the seven tragic instances of Sarah's attempted marriages. Each of these men was essentially the "eighth" in a sequence, with the first seven meeting a terrible end.
The narrative in Tobit is as follows:
- Sarah was the daughter of Raguel and Edna.
- She was married to seven different men over a period of time.
- Each of these men died on the night of their wedding before they could have relations with her.
- The demon Asmodeus was responsible for their deaths.
- The people of her city began to slander her, blaming her for the deaths of her husbands.
- She was greatly distressed and considered suicide.
It is within this context that the phrase "seven sisters" might arise, referring to the series of unfortunate marriages. However, it's important to clarify that the Bible (specifically Tobit) is not speaking of seven individual women who were sisters to one another. It is referring to the seven occasions of death that befell Sarah's intended husbands, making Sarah the focal point of this tragic sequence.
The Role of Tobiah
The story continues with Tobiah, who is sent to retrieve money for his father. He encounters the angel Raphael, who guides him and teaches him how to overcome the demon Asmodeus. Raphael instructs Tobiah to use the heart and liver of a fish to create smoke that will repel the demon. He also advises Tobiah to marry Sarah, assuring him that he will be safe.
Tobiah follows Raphael's instructions. On their wedding night, when Asmodeus attempts to harm him, Tobiah burns the fish's heart and liver, and the demon flees. Tobiah then prays for Sarah, and they spend their wedding night together without incident. The next morning, Raguel and Edna discover that Sarah is alive and well, and they rejoice.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion surrounding "The Seven Sisters" likely stems from a few factors:
- Specific Texts: The mention is primarily within the Book of Tobit, which is not part of the Protestant canon.
- Figurative Language: The term "seven sisters" isn't a direct appellation but rather a way to describe the recurring tragedy in Sarah's life.
- Popular Interpretation: Over time, the story of Sarah and her seven doomed grooms might have been loosely referred to as "the seven sisters" in popular or informal religious discussions, leading to misunderstandings.
In summary, while the Bible does not feature a group named "The Seven Sisters" in the way one might initially assume, the Book of Tobit tells the compelling and tragic story of Sarah, who endured seven attempts at marriage that all ended in the death of her suitors, a situation that could be colloquially, though not precisely, linked to the idea of "seven sisters" in a narrative sense.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about "The Seven Sisters"
How is Sarah related to the "seven sisters"?
Sarah is the central figure in the narrative of the Book of Tobit. The term "seven sisters" is not referring to seven literal sisters of Sarah, but rather to the seven occasions on which her betrothed husbands died before they could consummate their marriage. Sarah experienced this tragedy seven times.
Why is the Book of Tobit sometimes excluded from Bibles?
The Book of Tobit is considered a deuterocanonical or apocryphal book. While it is part of the canon for the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, Protestant denominations generally do not include it in their Bibles. This is due to historical reasons regarding its inclusion in the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) but its absence from the Hebrew canon. However, it is still recognized for its valuable moral and spiritual teachings.
Who was the demon responsible for the deaths?
The demon responsible for the deaths of Sarah's seven husbands was named Asmodeus. He was in love with Sarah and killed her suitors out of jealousy on their wedding nights.
