Book of Tobit

Traditions

Jewish scripture and tradition Christian scripture and mysticism

Role in the tradition

Primary source Written from inside the tradition: scripture, revelation, a grimoire, a manifesto or a practical treatise.

Public attention

Landmark Wikipedia has an article about it in 60 languages.

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The Book of Tobit, a work of Second Temple Jewish literature, is one of the deuterocanonical books of the Bible. It dates to the 3rd or early 2nd century BCE. It emphasizes God’s testing of the faithful, his response to prayer, and his protection of the covenant people, the Israelites. The narrative follows two Israelite families: the blind Tobit in Nineveh and Sarah, abandoned in Ecbatana. Tobit’s son Tobias is sent to recover ten silver talents once deposited in Rhages in Media, and on his journey—guided by the angel Raphael—he meets Sarah. Sarah is afflicted by the demon Asmodeus, who slays her prospective husbands, but with Raphael’s help the demon is exorcised and she marries Tobias. They return together to Nineveh, where Tobit’s sight is miraculously restored.

From the Wikipedia article Book of Tobit, revision 1368323499, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikidata Q131737: “3rd/2nd century BCE Jewish tale of Tobit’s son Tobias’s journey with the angel Raphael, considered canonical in Catholicism and in Eastern Christianity”.