“Then Tobias called Raphael and said to him.
‘Brother Azariah,
Take four servants and two camels with you!
Travel to Rages!
Go to the home of Gabael!
Give him the bond!
Get the money!
Then bring him with you to the wedding celebration.
You know that my father must be counting the days.
If I delay even one day I upset him.
You are a witness to the oath that Raguel has sworn.
I cannot violate his oath.’
So Raphael with the four servants and two camels went to Rages in Media. He stayed with Gabael. Raphael gave him the bond. He informed him that Tobit’s son Tobias had married, so that he was inviting him to the marriage celebration. So Gabael got up and counted out to him the money bags, with their seals intact. They loaded them on the camels. In the morning they both got up early and came to the wedding celebration. When they came into Raguel’s house, they found Tobias reclining at table. He sprang up and greeted Gabael, who wept and blessed them.”
The time between Ecbatana and Reges was about 11 days one way. It would have been difficult to get him back for the wedding celebration. I do not understand why Tobias did not send Raphael back to Nineveh to get his parents to come to the wedding celebration. Where did Raphael get the 4 servants since he and Tobias were alone? Probably Raguel gave them to him with the camels. Anyway, the trip was very quick. Raphael stayed overnight and then set out the next day. Gabael gave the money to Raphael after counting it out. He accepted the invitation to the wedding. Gabael wept when he saw and greeted Tobias.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 