Tobit – Chapter 12

Old Testament22 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 12 of Tobit begins: "Then Tobias called to him his son and said to him: What can we give to this holy man, that is come with thee?" The chapter centers on Tobias, Raphael and Sarah. Across its 22 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and prayer. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Then Tobias called to him his son and said to him: What can we give to this holy man, that is come with thee?

2Tobias answering, said to his father: Father, what wages shall we give him? or what can be worthy of his benefits?

3He conducted me and brought me safe again, he received the money of Gabelus, he caused me to have my wife, and he chased from her the evil spirit, he gave joy to her parents, myself he delivered from being devoured by the fish, thee also he hath made to see the light of heaven, and we are filled with all good things through him. What can we give him sufficient for these things?

4But I beseech thee, my father, to desire him, that he would vouchsafe to accept of one half of all things that have been brought.

5So the father and the son calling him, took him aside: and began to desire him that he would vouchsafe to accept of half of all things that they had brought,

6Then he said to them secretly, Bless ye the God of heaven, give glory to him in the sight of all that live, because he hath shewn his mercy to you.

7For it is good to hide the secret of a king: to reveal and confess the works of God.

8Prayer is good with fasting and alms more than to lay up treasures of gold.

9For alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting.

10But they that commit sin and iniquity, are enemies to their own soul.

11I discover then the truth unto you, and I will not hide the secret from you.

12When thou didst pray with tears, and didst bury the dead, and didst leave thy dinner, and hide the dead by day in thy house, and bury them by night, I offered thy prayer to the Lord.

13And because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation should prove thee.

14And now the Lord hath sent me to heal thee, and to deliver Sara thy son's wife from the devil.

15For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord.

16And when they had heard these things, they were troubled, and being seized with fear they fell upon the ground on their face.

17And the angel said to them: Peace be to you, fear not.

18For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God: bless ye him, and sing praises to him.

19I seemed indeed to eat and to drink with you but I use an invisible meat and drink, which cannot be seen by men.

20It is time therefore that I return to him that sent me: but bless ye God, and publish all his wonderful works.

21And when he had said these things, he was taken from their sight, and they could see him no more.

22Then they lying prostrate for three hours upon their face, blessed God, and rising up, they told all his wonderful works.

Important Verses in Tobit 12

Then Tobias called to him his son and said to him: What can we give to this holy man, that is come with thee?

Tobit 12:1

Then he said to them secretly, Bless ye the God of heaven, give glory to him in the sight of all that live, because he hath shewn his mercy to you.

Tobit 12:6

And the angel said to them: Peace be to you, fear not.

Tobit 12:17

Then they lying prostrate for three hours upon their face, blessed God, and rising up, they told all his wonderful works.

Tobit 12:22

Historical Context

Tobit addresses jews of the Diaspora, encouraged to remain faithful far from the Temple within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 12 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 22 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Tobias, Raphael and Sarah, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "Then Tobias called to him his son and said to him: What can we give to this holy man, that is come with thee?" It concludes: "Then they lying prostrate for three hours upon their face, blessed God, and rising up, they told all his wonderful…" 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. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: 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 12 presents a concrete episode in the history of family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Then Tobias called to him his son and said to him: What can we give to this holy man, that is come with thee?" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Tobit 12 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. this deuterocanonical book teaches about guardian angels and prayer (CIC 336). St. Bernard of Clairvaux and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 355).

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.
  • God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Tobias2 mentionsRaphael1 mentionSarah1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Tobit Chapter 12, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Tobit Chapter 12 supports that call by drawing attention to humility before the mystery of God within the wider message that Prayer and almsgiving rise before God.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 1324).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tobit Chapter 12 about?

Tobit 12 contains 22 verses. It opens with "Then Tobias called to him his son and said to him: What can we give to this holy man, that is come with thee?" and closes with "Then they lying prostrate for three hours upon their face, blessed God, and rising up, they told all his wonderful…". The book as a whole is edifying narrative (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Tobit 12?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Then Tobias called to him his son and said to him: What can we give to this holy man, that is come with thee?" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Tobit Chapter 12?

This chapter mentions Tobias, Raphael, Sarah.

Who wrote Tobit and when?

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

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