Old Testament · Deuterocanonical
The Book of Tobit
The Book of Tobit is the seventeenth of the 46 books of the Old Testament, and one of its 7 deuterocanonical books: 14 chapters and 298 verses. The Douay-Rheims calls it Tobias.
About Tobit
About Tobit · Edifying tale
Tobit is the story of a devout family in exile — a blind father, a desperate bride, and the son whose journey, guided by the archangel Raphael in disguise, heals them both. Written by an unknown Jewish author a couple of centuries before Christ, it belongs to the deuterocanonical books received by the Catholic Church. It was composed for scattered communities far from the temple, to teach that almsgiving, honest burial of the dead, faithful marriage, and daily prayer are how holiness survives in a foreign land. It reads like a folk tale and carries some of Scripture's warmest teaching on providence and family.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 17 of 46, 17 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Deuterocanonical |
| Chapters | 14 |
| Verses | 298, as Bless numbers them |
| In the Douay-Rheims | Tobias |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 14 chapters · 7 notes |
| Catechism | 10 paragraphs cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 14 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
Tobit 1
25 versesTobias's early piety: his works of mercy, particularly in burying the dead.
Tobit 2
23 versesTobias leaveth his dinner to bury the dead: he loseth his sight by God's permission, for manifestation of his patience.
Tobit 3
25 versesThe prayer of Tobias, and of Sara, in their several afflictions, are heard by God, and the angel Raphael is sent to relieve them.
Tobit 4
23 versesTobias thinking he shall die, giveth his son godly admonitions: and telleth him of money he had lent to a friend.
Tobit 5
28 versesYoung Tobias seeking a guide for his journey, the angel Raphael, in shape of a man, undertaketh this office.
Tobit 6
22 versesBy the angel's advice young Tobias taketh hold on a fish that assaulteth him. Reserveth the heart, the gall, and the liver for medicines. They lodge at the house of Raguel, whose daughter Sara, Tobias is to marry; she had before been married to seven husbands, who were all slain by a devil.
Tobit 7
20 versesThey are kindly entertained by Raguel. Tobias demandeth Sara to wife.
Tobit 8
24 versesTobias burneth part of the fish's liver, and Raphael bindeth the devil. Tobias and Sara pray.
Tobit 9
12 versesThe angel Raphael goeth to Gabelus, receiveth the money, and bringeth him to the marriage.
Tobit 10
13 versesThe parents lament the long absence of their son Tobias. He sets out to return.
Tobit 11
21 versesTobias anointeth his father's eyes with the fish's gall, and he recovereth his sight.
Tobit 12
22 versesRaphael maketh himself known.
Tobit 13
23 versesTobias the father praiseth God, exhorting all Israel to do the same. Prophesieth the restoration and better state of Jerusalem.
Tobit 14
17 versesOld Tobias dieth at the age of a hundred and two years, after exhorting his son and grandsons to piety, foreshewing that Ninive shall be destroyed, and Jerusalem rebuilt. The younger Tobias returneth with his family to Raguel, and dieth happily as he had lived.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
In the comments
What the saints said.
1 quotation from 1 saint linked to passages of Tobit in Bless. Each names the work it comes from.
St. Peter Chrysologus · on Tobit 12:8
On this theme
Prayer knocks, fasting obtains, mercy receives. Prayer, mercy and fasting: these three are one, and they give life to each other.
Sermon 43, c. 440
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, Tobit is read at the principal Mass on 5 days in the US calendar. The next 6 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| computed | St. Justin, Martyr | First Reading | Tobit 2:9-14 |
| computed | Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Tobit 3:1-11a, 16-17a |
| computed | St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs | First Reading | Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a |
| computed | Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20 |
| computed | Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time | Responsorial Psalm | Tobit 13:2, 6efgh, 7, 8 |
| computed | Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time | Responsorial Psalm | Tobit 13:2, 3-4a, 4befghn, 7-8 |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.