Tobit – Chapter 3

Old Testament25 Verses

Chapter Summary

Tobit 3 opens with the words: "Then Tobias sighed, and began to pray with tears," The chapter centers on Raphael, Tobias and Sarah. Across its 25 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and prayer. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Then Tobias sighed, and began to pray with tears,

2Saying, Thou art just, O Lord, and all thy judgments are just, and all thy ways mercy, and truth, and judgment:

3And now, O Lord, think of me, and take not revenge of my sins, neither remember my offences, nor those of my parents.

4For we have not obeyed thy commandments, therefore are we delivered to spoil and to captivity, and death, and are made a fable, and a reproach to all nations, amongst which thou hast scattered us.

5And now, O Lord, great are thy judgments, because we have not done according to thy precepts, and have not walked sincerely before thee.

6And now, O Lord, do with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace: for it is better for me to die, than to live.

7Now it happened on the same day, that Sara daughter of Raguel, in Rages a city of the Medes, received a reproach from one of her father's servant maids,

8Because she had been given to seven husbands and a devil named Asmodeus had killed them, at their first going in unto her.

9So when she reproved the maid for her fault, she answered her, saying: May we never see son, or daughter of thee upon the earth, thou murderer of thy husbands.

10Wilt thou kill me also, as thou hast already killed seven husbands? At these words, she went into an upper chamber of her house: and for three days and three nights did neither eat nor drink:

11But continuing in prayer with tears besought God, that he would deliver her from this reproach.

12And it came to pass on the third day when she was making an end of her prayer, blessing the Lord,

13She said: Blessed is thy name, O God of our fathers, who when thou hast been angry, wilt shew mercy, and in the time of tribulation forgivest the sins of them that call upon thee.

14To thee, O Lord, I turn my face, to thee I direct my eyes.

15I beg, O Lord, that thou loose me from the bond of this reproach, or else take me away from the earth.

16Thou knowest, O Lord, that I never coveted a husband, and have kept my soul clean from all lust.

17Never have I joined myself with them that play: neither have I made myself partaker with them that walk in lightness.

18But a husband I consented to take, with thy fear, not with my lust.

19And either I was unworthy of them, or they perhaps were not worthy of me: because perhaps thou hast kept me for another man,

20For thy counsel is not in man's power.

21But this every one is sure of that worshippeth thee, that his life, if it be under trial, shall be crowned and if it be under tribulation, it shall be delivered: and if it be under correction, it shall be allowed to come to thy mercy.

22For thou art not delighted in our being lost, because after a storm thou makest a calm, and after tears and weeping thou pourest in joyfulness.

23Be thy name, O God of Israel, blessed for ever,

24At that time the prayers of them both were heard in the sight of the glory of the most high God:

25And the holy angel of the Lord, Raphael was sent to heal them both, whose prayers at one time were rehearsed in the sight of the Lord.

Important Verses in Tobit 3

Saying, Thou art just, O Lord, and all thy judgments are just, and all thy ways mercy, and truth, and judgment:

Tobit 3:2

And now, O Lord, do with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace: for it is better for me to die, than to live.

Tobit 3:6

She said: Blessed is thy name, O God of our fathers, who when thou hast been angry, wilt shew mercy, and in the time of tribulation forgivest the sins of them that call upon thee.

Tobit 3:13

And the holy angel of the Lord, Raphael was sent to heal them both, whose prayers at one time were rehearsed in the sight of the Lord.

Tobit 3:25

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 3 of 14 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 25 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Raphael, Tobias and Sarah, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "Then Tobias sighed, and began to pray with tears," It concludes: "And the holy angel of the Lord, Raphael was sent to heal them both, whose prayers at one time were rehearsed in the…" Read against its original backdrop, 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. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: 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

In this 25-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help. A pivotal line is verse 2: "Saying, Thou art just, O Lord, and all thy judgments are just, and all thy ways mercy, and truth, and judgment:" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

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 1965).

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

Raphael1 mentionTobias1 mentionSarah1 mention

Reflection for Today

Tobit Chapter 3, containing 25 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 756). Here the emphasis falls on lectio divina and meditation on God's Word, which shapes how the Church understands family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help.

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 3 about?

Tobit 3 contains 25 verses. It opens with "Then Tobias sighed, and began to pray with tears," and closes with "And the holy angel of the Lord, Raphael was sent to heal them both, whose prayers at one time were rehearsed in the…". The book as a whole is edifying narrative (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Tobit 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "Saying, Thou art just, O Lord, and all thy judgments are just, and all thy ways mercy, and truth, and judgment:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Tobit Chapter 3?

This chapter mentions Raphael, Tobias, Sarah.

Who wrote Tobit and when?

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

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