Summary of Tobit
The Book of Tobit is a deuterocanonical work that tells the story of a righteous Israelite family living in exile. It functions as a short, didactic novel, blending themes of piety, wisdom, and folklore to illustrate God's faithfulness to those who honor him. The narrative follows two families beset by suffering who find healing and restoration through prayer and the intervention of a disguised angel.
Tobit 12:15"For I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord."
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Overview of Tobit
Likely composed in the 3rd or 2nd century B.C., Tobit is a work of religious fiction designed to instruct Jews living in the diaspora. It emphasizes the importance of traditional piety—almsgiving, prayer, honoring parents, and proper burial—as a means of remaining faithful to God in a foreign land. The story demonstrates that God hears the prayers of the righteous and that His providence, sometimes hidden and working through angelic messengers, ultimately brings about healing and justice.
Structure of Tobit
The Trials of Tobit and Sarah (1–3)
Tobit's Piety and Blindness (1–2) → Sarah's Plight and Prayer (3) → God Hears Their Prayers (3)
This section introduces the parallel stories of two devout Israelites in distress. In Nineveh, Tobit is blinded after performing a righteous act of burying the dead, while in Ecbatana, a young woman named Sarah is tormented by a demon who has killed her seven successive husbands. Both characters, in their despair, pray to God for death, and their prayers are heard together in heaven.
The Journey of Tobias and Raphael (4–11)
Tobit's Instructions (4) → Raphael's Introduction (5) → The Journey and the Fish (6) → Marriage to Sarah (7–8) → The Return and Healing (9–11)
The narrative shifts to a journey of healing and redemption. Tobit sends his son, Tobias, to retrieve family money, and the angel Raphael, disguised as a kinsman named Azariah, accompanies him. Under Raphael's guidance, Tobias catches a miraculous fish, uses its parts to exorcise the demon Asmodeus from Sarah, marries her, and secures a cure for his father's blindness.
Revelation, Praise, and Final Counsel (12–14)
Raphael's Revelation (12) → Tobit's Hymn of Praise (13) → Tobit's Final Words and Death (14)
The story reaches its climax as Raphael reveals his true identity as one of God's holy angels, explaining that he was sent to test and heal them. In response, Tobit offers a powerful hymn of praise, blessing God and prophesying the future restoration of Jerusalem. The book concludes with Tobit's final instructions to his family and his peaceful death at a great age.
How to Read Tobit
Read the Book of Tobit as a didactic romance, a form of religious fiction intended to teach moral and theological lessons. While set in a historical context, its purpose is not to provide a precise historical record but to offer encouragement and guidance on living a faithful Jewish life in a non-Jewish world. Pay attention to the way God's actions are hidden behind everyday events and the guidance of a disguised angel.
- righteous suffering → faithful prayer → divine intervention and healing.
- The pairing of human action (piety, obedience) with divine agency (angelic guidance).
- The importance of traditional Jewish practices: almsgiving, prayer, proper burial, and endogamous marriage.
Key Takeaway
The Book of Tobit serves as a powerful reminder that God's providence is always at work, even when it is unseen. It affirms that acts of righteousness and heartfelt prayer are never forgotten by God, who sends his messengers to guide, protect, and bring healing out of suffering. The story champions a life of quiet faithfulness, assuring believers that God will ultimately reward their devotion and restore their fortunes.
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The best way to understand Tobit is to start reading. Our guide to Chapter 1 breaks down the creation story, its key themes, and its theological importance.
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