Tobit – Chapter 10

Old Testament13 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 10 of Tobit begins: "But as Tobias made longer stay upon occasion of the marriage, Tobias his father was solicitous, saying: Why thinkest thou doth my son…" The chapter centers on Tobias, Anna and Sarah. Across its 13 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and hope in God's promises. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1But as Tobias made longer stay upon occasion of the marriage, Tobias his father was solicitous, saying: Why thinkest thou doth my son tarry, or why is he detained there?

2Is Gabelus dead, thinkest thou, and no man will pay him the money?

3And he began to be exceeding sad, both he and Anna his wife with him: and they began both to weep together, because their son did not return to them on the day appointed.

4But his mother wept and was quite disconsolate, and said: Woe, woe is me, my son; why did we send thee to go to a strange country, the light of our eyes, the staff of our old age, the comfort of our life, the hope of our posterity?

5We having all things together in thee alone, ought not to have let thee go from us.

6And Tobias said to her: Hold thy peace, and be not troubled, our son is safe: that man with whom we sent him is very trusty.

7But she could by no means be comforted, but daily running out looked round about, and went into all the ways by which there seemed any hope he might return, that she might if possible see him coming afar off.

8But Raguel said to his son in law: Stay here, and I will send a messenger to Tobias thy father, that thou art in health.

9And Tobias said to him: I know that my father and mother now count the days, and their spirit is grievously afflicted within them.

10And when Raguel had pressed Tobias with many words, and he by no means would hearken to him, he delivered Sara unto him, and half of all his substance in menservants, and womenservants, in cattle, in camels, and in kine, and in much money, and sent him away safe and joyful from him,

11Saying: The holy angel of the Lord be with you in your journey, and bring you through safe, and that you may find all things well about your parents, and my eyes may see your children before I die.

12And the parents taking their daughter kissed her, and let her go:

13Admonishing her to honour her father and mother in law, to love her husband, to take care of the family, to govern the house, and to behave herself irreprehensibly.

Important Verses in Tobit 10

But as Tobias made longer stay upon occasion of the marriage, Tobias his father was solicitous, saying: Why thinkest thou doth my son tarry, or why is he detained there?

Tobit 10:1

But his mother wept and was quite disconsolate, and said: Woe, woe is me, my son; why did we send thee to go to a strange country, the light of our eyes, the staff of our old age, the comfort of our life, the hope of our posterity?

Tobit 10:4

But she could by no means be comforted, but daily running out looked round about, and went into all the ways by which there seemed any hope he might return, that she might if possible see him coming afar off.

Tobit 10:7

Saying: The holy angel of the Lord be with you in your journey, and bring you through safe, and that you may find all things well about your parents, and my eyes may see your children before I die.

Tobit 10:11

Historical Context

Tobit belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for jews of the Diaspora, encouraged to remain faithful far from the Temple. Chapter 10 of 14 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 13 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Tobias, Anna and Sarah, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "But as Tobias made longer stay upon occasion of the marriage, Tobias his father was solicitous, saying: Why thinkest…" The chapter ends with: "Admonishing her to honour her father and mother in law, to love her husband, to take care of the family, to govern the…" The wider setting of Tobit is this: Tobit is a deuterocanonical book telling of a devout Israelite exile in Nineveh who suffers blindness, and of his son Tobias, guided on a journey by the archangel Raphael in disguise. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Tobit around Probably 3rd-2nd century BC.

Who Wrote It

Unknown Jewish author of the Diaspora

When It Was Written

Probably 3rd-2nd century BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Tobit 10 presents a concrete episode in the history of family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help. A pivotal line is verse 1: "But as Tobias made longer stay upon occasion of the marriage, Tobias his father was solicitous, saying: Why thinkest thou doth my son tarry, or why is he…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 618). Here, this deuterocanonical book teaches about guardian angels and prayer (CIC 336). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Christian hope rests not on circumstances but on the unfailing promises of God.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Tobias6 mentionsAnna1 mentionSarah1 mention

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Tobit Chapter 10 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Tobit Chapter 10. At the moral level, stewardship of creation challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 1988).

As you continue through Tobit, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tobit Chapter 10 about?

Tobit 10 contains 13 verses. It opens with "But as Tobias made longer stay upon occasion of the marriage, Tobias his father was solicitous, saying: Why thinkest…" and closes with "Admonishing her to honour her father and mother in law, to love her husband, to take care of the family, to govern the…". The book as a whole is edifying narrative (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Tobit 10?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "But as Tobias made longer stay upon occasion of the marriage, Tobias his father was solicitous, saying: Why thinkest thou doth my son tarry, or why is he detained there?" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Tobit Chapter 10?

This chapter mentions Tobias, Anna, Sarah.

Who wrote Tobit and when?

Unknown Jewish author of the Diaspora. Probably 3rd-2nd century BC.

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