Tobit – Chapter 13

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Tobit 13 opens with the words: "And Tobias the elder opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and said: Thou art great O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is unto all ages." Tobias stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and God's kingdom and kingship. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And Tobias the elder opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and said: Thou art great O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is unto all ages.

2For thou scourgest, and thou savest: thou leadest down to hell, and bringest up again: and there is none that can escape thy hand.

3Give glory to the Lord, ye children of Israel, and praise him in the sight of the Gentiles:

4Because he hath therefore scattered you among the Gentiles, who know not him, that you may declare his wonderful works, and make them know that there is no other almighty God besides him.

5He hath chastised us for our iniquities: and he will save us for his own mercy.

6See then what he hath done with us, and with fear and trembling give ye glory to him: and extol the eternal King of worlds in your works.

7As for me, I will praise him in the land of my captivity: because he hath shewn his majesty toward a sinful nation,

8Be converted therefore, ye sinners, and do justice before God, believing that he will shew his mercy to you.

9And I and my soul will rejoice in him.

10Bless ye the Lord, all his elect, keep days of joy, and give glory to him.

11Jerusalem, city of God, the Lord hath chastised thee for the works of thy hands.

12Give glory to the Lord for thy good things, and bless the God eternal that he may rebuild his tabernacle in thee, and may call back all the captives to thee, and thou mayst rejoice for ever and ever.

13Thou shalt shine with a glorious light: and all the ends of the earth shall worship thee,

14Nations from afar shall come to thee: and shall bring gifts, and shall adore the Lord in thee, and shall esteem thy land as holy.

15For they shall call upon the great name in thee,

16They shall be cursed that shall despise thee: and they shall be condemned that shall blaspheme thee: and blessed shall they be that shall build thee up,

17But thou shalt rejoice in thy children, because they shall all be blessed, and shall be gathered together to the Lord.

18Blessed are all they that love thee, and that rejoice in thy peace,

19My soul, bless thou the Lord, because the Lord our God hath delivered Jerusalem his city from all her troubles.

20Happy shall I be if there shall remain of my seed, to see the glory of Jerusalem.

21The gates of Jerusalem shall be built of sapphire, and of emerald, and all the walls thereof round about of precious stones.

22All its streets shall be paved with white and clean stones: and Alleluia shall be sung in its streets,

23Blessed be the Lord, who hath exalted it, and may he reign over it for ever and ever, Amen.

Important Verses in Tobit 13

And Tobias the elder opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and said: Thou art great O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is unto all ages.

Tobit 13:1

Be converted therefore, ye sinners, and do justice before God, believing that he will shew his mercy to you.

Tobit 13:8

Give glory to the Lord for thy good things, and bless the God eternal that he may rebuild his tabernacle in thee, and may call back all the captives to thee, and thou mayst rejoice for ever and ever.

Tobit 13:12

Blessed be the Lord, who hath exalted it, and may he reign over it for ever and ever, Amen.

Tobit 13:23

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Tobit was written with jews of the Diaspora, encouraged to remain faithful far from the Temple in view. Chapter 13 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 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Tobias appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "And Tobias the elder opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and said: Thou art great O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is…" The final verse reads: "Blessed be the Lord, who hath exalted it, and may he reign over it for ever and ever, Amen. " In terms of historical background, 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 13 presents a concrete episode in the history of family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And Tobias the elder opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and said: Thou art great O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is unto all ages." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help. this deuterocanonical book teaches about guardian angels and prayer (CIC 336). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2683).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Tobias1 mention

Reflection for Today

The late section of Tobit—Chapter 13 of 14—opens a particular moment in the story of family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help.

According to Catholic teaching, this deuterocanonical book teaches about guardian angels and prayer (CIC 336). This chapter especially highlights Mary and the communion of saints, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 1431).

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1814) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tobit Chapter 13 about?

Tobit 13 contains 23 verses. It opens with "And Tobias the elder opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and said: Thou art great O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is…" and closes with "Blessed be the Lord, who hath exalted it, and may he reign over it for ever and ever, Amen. ". The book as a whole is edifying narrative (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Tobit 13?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And Tobias the elder opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and said: Thou art great O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is unto all ages." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Tobit Chapter 13?

This chapter mentions Tobias.

Who wrote Tobit and when?

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

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