Tobias
Son of Tobit
Assyrian exile
Tobit's son, who journeyed with the angel Raphael, caught the great fish, and married Sarah.
“The angel of the LORD camps around them that fear him.” — cf. Tobit / Psalm 34:7Talk with Tobias
The story of Tobias
Tobias is the son of Tobit, a righteous Israelite living in exile in Nineveh. When his father loses his sight and falls into poverty, he sends Tobias on a long journey to the city of Rages in Media to retrieve a large sum of money left in trust years earlier. Unbeknownst to Tobias, God sends the angel Raphael in human disguise to guide him on the dangerous trip.
During the journey, Tobias catches a large fish in the Tigris River. Under Raphael’s instruction, he keeps the fish’s heart, liver, and gall, which later prove to be essential. Raphael also guides Tobias to the home of his relative Raguel, where he meets and marries Sarah. Using the smoke from the fish’s organs, Tobias drives away the demon that had killed Sarah’s seven previous husbands.
Tobias returns home with his new wife and the recovered money. Following the angel’s advice, he uses the fish’s gall to heal his father’s blindness. The story concludes with the revealing of Raphael’s true identity and Tobit’s joyful praise. The Book of Tobit, which features Tobias, is included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but is placed in the Apocrypha by Protestants.
Key passages
Tobit 5:1–22
Tobias prepares for his journey and meets his guide, the angel Raphael.
Tobit 6:1–18
The incident with the fish and Raphael’s instructions for using its parts.
Tobit 8:1–9
Tobias and Sarah pray on their wedding night and the demon is driven away.
Tobit 11:1–15
Tobias returns home and restores his father’s sight using the fish gall.
Key books
- Tobit
Questions you can ask
- “Tell me about catching the great fish”
- “What was the journey with Raphael like?”
- “How did you marry Sarah?”
Common questions
Is the story of Tobias in the Bible?
Yes, it is found in the Book of Tobit. It is part of the Old Testament in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, while Protestants include it in the Apocrypha.
Who was the angel that helped Tobias?
The angel Raphael, who traveled with him in the disguise of a man named Azarias to guide and protect him.
What does the story of Tobias teach?
It emphasizes the importance of prayer, honoring parents, and trusting in God’s providence, even when His help comes in hidden ways.