Tobit is an edifying story about a faithful Jewish family in exile. The archangel Raphael accompanies young Tobias on his journey, and God heals and unites those who trust in him. It is a deuterocanonical book.
AuthorUnknown Jewish author
DateWritten around the 3rd-2nd century BC
AudienceJews of the diaspora
🎯 Learning objective
Understand the message of Tobit, its historical setting and its place in the history of salvation.
🏛️ Historical context
It is set among the deportees in Nineveh, in Assyria. It was written for Jews living outside their land who needed to keep their faith, prayer and works of mercy.
🔙 Background
Tobit, a devout Jew who buries the dead and gives alms, goes blind. Meanwhile Sarah suffers the death of seven husbands. Both pray on the same day.
🧭 Structure of the book
Chapters 1-3: the misfortunes of Tobit and Sarah and their prayer
Chapters 4-11: Tobias' journey with Raphael and marriage to Sarah
Chapters 12-14: Raphael reveals himself; Tobit's song
⭐ Key events and teachings
1Tobit, faithful in exile, practises works of mercy (ch. 1-2)
2Tobit's advice to his son: "What you hate, do not do to anyone" (4:15)
4Tobias and Sarah's prayer on their wedding night (ch. 8)
5Tobit's healing and Raphael's revelation (ch. 11-12)
🏷️ Main themes
ProvidenceGuardian angelsMarriage and prayerWorks of mercy
📖 Verses to memorize
Tobit 4:7Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee.
Tobit 4:16See thou never do to another what thou wouldst hate to have done to thee by another.
Tobit 8:7And Tobias said: Lord God of our fathers, may the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains, and the rivers, and all thy creatures that are in them, bless thee.
Tobit 12:8Prayer is good with fasting and alms more than to lay up treasures of gold.
Tobit 12:15For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord.
💭 For reflection
What does Tobias and Sarah's prayer teach me about marriage?
How do I practise the works of mercy?
The story of a devout family in exile: Tobit, who goes blind, and his son Tobias, who travels with the angel Raphael. It teaches prayer, almsgiving, holy marriage and God's providence.