The Story of Tobit
(2nd century B.C.)

By Christine G. Richardson

"Tobit" is one of the apocryphal books of the Bible. These are found in the Greek version of Jewish Scripture (the Septuagint), but not the final canonical version of the Hebrew Bible. The "Apocrypha" (= "hidden books") were part of the original King James Version of 1611, but are generally dropped from modern Bibles. When they are included, they are tucked between the Old & New Testament, sometimes in smaller print.

When Tobit was a young man in the land of Israel, King Solomon died. Ten of the twelve tribes revolted against the new king, including Tobit's tribe Naphtali. The cult of Baal became the prevailing religion of Naphtali, but Tobit continued to go to Jerusalem with his tithe to worship Yahweh.

Tobit married Hannah, who gave birth to their son Tobias. Soon afterwards, the Assyrians overran the Northern tribes. Tobit and his family were taken to Nineveh as captives. Tobit continued following Jewish practices and enjoyed some commercial success, until all his property was confiscated for burying Jews whose bodies had been left exposed to the elements after execution. However, not even the threat of death could deter him from performing this sacred duty.

One night, after secretly burying a body, he lay down to sleep outdoors near the courtyard wall, because he was ceremonially defiled by his contact with the dead. Before he could close his eyes, sparrows' droppings fell into them and produced opaque white films. The doctors failed to restore his sight. His wife had to go to work to support the family. After a marital spat, Tobit became so despondent that he prayed for death.

The same day, in Ecbatana, a woman named Sarah also prayed for death. She had been married seven times. Each time, the demon Asmodeus, who was in love with her, killed her husband before the marriage could be consummated.

The angel Raphael heard both prayers, and set out to help Tobit and Sarah.

Tobit, expecting to die soon, sent his son Tobias to the town of Ragae to reclaim some money he had on deposit. A distant kinsman named Azariah (really the archangel Raphael in disguise) volunteered to accompany the young man on his journey.

During the journey, Tobias went to wash himself in the river. A giant fish jumped up from the water. Raphael instructed Tobias to throw it on land, cut it up, and save its heart, liver and gall. They cooked the rest of the fish and ate it. Raphael explained to Tobias that smoke made by burning the heart and liver would drive away troublesome demons; and that the gall would cure white films on the eyes.

They spent the night at the house of Raguel, Sarah's father, who happened to be a cousin of Tobit's. On Raphael's advice, Tobias asked for Sarah's hand in marriage. Raguel was very upset, because he did not want his kinsman to die, but eventually agreed. After supper, Tobias went to Sarah's bedchamber and put the heart and liver of the fish on the hot ashes of the burning incense. When the demon smelled the smoke, he fled to Upper Egypt, where Raphael bound him so that he could do no more harm.

In the morning, Sarah's maid found the couple in bed, sleeping peacefully. Raguel was delighted to discover that Tobias had survived the night. He held a fourteen-day wedding feast for them, and gave half of his possessions to his new son-in-law, who set out for home in triumph with his new bride and a train of servants.

Tobit and Hannah were worried by Tobias' delay, fearing the worst. They were overjoyed when their son arrived at last, ahead of the others in his party. Tobias sprinkled the powdered gall of the fish into his father's eyes. It began to sting. When Tobit rubbed his eyes, the white films came off. He had been blind for eight years. Tobit joyfully went to meet his new daughter-in-law, praising God all the way.

After a seven-day wedding celebration, Tobit and Tobias offered Azariah half of Tobias' wealth as a reward for everything he had done. After dispensing some sage moral advice, Azariah revealed his true identity as Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who offer up the prayers of God's people. He instructed Tobit to write his story on a scroll, and disappeared.

Tobit continued to live a virtuous life, died at age 158, and had a splendid funeral. Before he died, he advised his son to move back to Ecbatana because of Jonah's prophecy that Nineveh would be demolished. Tobias did so, and lived to be 127, long enough to rejoice at the destruction of Nineveh after its capture by Nebuchadnezzar and Ahasuerus.

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