Tobit – Chapter 4

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Therefore when Tobias thought that his prayer was heard that he might die, he called to him Tobias his son," — so begins Tobit 4. Tobias stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God feeding His people. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Therefore when Tobias thought that his prayer was heard that he might die, he called to him Tobias his son,

2And said to him: Hear, my son, the words of my mouth, and lay them as a foundation in thy heart.

3When God shall take my soul, thou shalt bury my body: and thou shalt honour thy mother all the days of her life:

4For thou must be mindful what and how great perils she suffered for thee in her womb.

5And when she also shall have ended the time of her life, bury her by me.

6And all the days of thy life have God in thy mind: and take heed thou never consent to sin, nor transgress the commandments of the Lord our God.

7Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee.

8According to thy ability be merciful.

9If thou have much give abundantly: if thou have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little.

10For thus thou storest up to thyself a good reward for the day of necessity.

11For alms deliver from all sin, and from death, and will not suffer the soul to go into darkness.

12Alms shall be a great confidence before the most high God, to all them that give it.

13Take heed to keep thyself, my son, from all fornication, and beside thy wife never endure to know a crime.

14Never suffer pride to reign in thy mind, or in thy words: for from it all perdition took its beginning.

15If any man hath done any work for thee, immediately pay him his hire, and let not the wages of thy hired servant stay with thee at all.

16See thou never do to another what thou wouldst hate to have done to thee by another.

17Eat thy bread with the hungry and the needy, and with thy garments cover the naked,

18Lay out thy bread, and thy wine upon the burial of a just man, and do not eat and drink thereof with the wicked.

19Seek counsel always of a wise man.

20Bless God at all times: and desire of him to direct thy ways, and that all thy counsels may abide in him.

21I tell thee also, my son, that I lent ten talents of silver, while thou wast yet a child, to Gabelus, in Rages a city of the Medes, and I have a note of his hand with me:

22Now therefore inquire how thou mayst go to him, and receive of him the foresaid sum of money, and restore to him the note of his hand.

23Fear not, my son: we lead indeed a poor life, but we shall have many good things if we fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is good.

Important Verses in Tobit 4

When God shall take my soul, thou shalt bury my body: and thou shalt honour thy mother all the days of her life:

Tobit 4:3

And all the days of thy life have God in thy mind: and take heed thou never consent to sin, nor transgress the commandments of the Lord our God.

Tobit 4:6

Alms shall be a great confidence before the most high God, to all them that give it.

Tobit 4:12

Fear not, my son: we lead indeed a poor life, but we shall have many good things if we fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is good.

Tobit 4:23

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 4 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 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Tobias appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "Therefore when Tobias thought that his prayer was heard that he might die, he called to him Tobias his son," The chapter ends with: "Fear not, my son: we lead indeed a poor life, but we shall have many good things if we fear God, and depart from all…" 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 23-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help. A pivotal line is verse 3: "When God shall take my soul, thou shalt bury my body: and thou shalt honour thy mother all the days of her life:" 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 2632).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Prayer and almsgiving rise before God. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Tobit 4 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.

People in This Chapter

Tobias2 mentions

Reflection for Today

Tobit Chapter 4 belongs to the Old Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. this deuterocanonical book teaches about guardian angels and prayer (CIC 336). Here the believer is invited to ponder perseverance through trial.

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 618) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tobit Chapter 4 about?

Tobit 4 contains 23 verses. It opens with "Therefore when Tobias thought that his prayer was heard that he might die, he called to him Tobias his son," and closes with "Fear not, my son: we lead indeed a poor life, but we shall have many good things if we fear God, and depart from all…". The book as a whole is edifying narrative (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Tobit 4?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "When God shall take my soul, thou shalt bury my body: and thou shalt honour thy mother all the days of her life:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Tobit Chapter 4?

This chapter mentions Tobias.

Who wrote Tobit and when?

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

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