Tobit – Chapter 8

Old Testament24 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And after they had supped, they brought in the young man to her." — so begins Tobit 8. The chapter centers on Tobias, Sarah and Raphael. Across its 24 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and prayer. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And after they had supped, they brought in the young man to her.

2And Tobias remembering the angel's word, took out of his bag part of the liver, and laid it upon burning coals.

3Then the angel Raphael took the devil, and bound him in the desert of upper Egypt.

4Then Tobias exhorted the virgin, and said to her: Sara, arise, and let us pray to God to day, and to morrow, and the next day: because for these three nights we are joined to God: and when the third night is over, we will be in our own wedlock.

5For we are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God.

6So they both arose, and prayed earnestly both together that health might be given them.

7And Tobias said: Lord God of our fathers, may the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains, and the rivers, and all thy creatures that are in them, bless thee.

8Thou madest Adam of the slime of the earth, and gavest him Eve for a helper.

9And now, Lord, thou knowest, that not for fleshly lust do I take my sister to wife, but only for the love of posterity, in which thy name may be blessed for ever and ever.

10Sara also said: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, and let us grow old both together in health.

11And it came to pass about the cockcrowing, Raguel ordered his servants to be called for, and they went with him together to dig a grave.

12For he said: Lest perhaps it may have happened to him, in like manner as it did to the other seven husbands, that went in unto her.

13And when they had prepared the pit, Raguel went back to his wife, and said to her:

14Send one of thy maids, and let her see if he be dead, that I may bury him before it be day.

15So she sent one of her maidservants, who went into the chamber, and found them safe and sound, sleeping both together.

16And returning she brought the good news: and Raguel and Anna his wife blessed the Lord,

17And said: We bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because it hath not happened as we suspected.

18For thou hast shewn thy mercy to us, and hast shut out from us the enemy that persecuted us.

19And thou hast taken pity upon two only children. Make them, O Lord, bless thee more fully: and to offer up to thee a sacrifice of thy praise, and of their health, that all nations may know, that thou alone art God in all the earth.

20And immediately Raguel commanded his servants, to fill up the pit they had made, before it was day.

21And he spoke to his wife to make ready a feast, and prepare all kind of provisions that are necessary for such as go a journey.

22He caused also two fat kine, and four wethers to be killed, and a banquet to be prepared for all his neighbours, and all his friends.

23And Raguel adjured Tobias, to abide with him two weeks.

24And of all things which Raguel possessed, he gave one half to Tobias, and made a writing, that the half that remained should after their decease come also to Tobias.

Important Verses in Tobit 8

And after they had supped, they brought in the young man to her.

Tobit 8:1

For we are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God.

Tobit 8:5

And now, Lord, thou knowest, that not for fleshly lust do I take my sister to wife, but only for the love of posterity, in which thy name may be blessed for ever and ever.

Tobit 8:9

And returning she brought the good news: and Raguel and Anna his wife blessed the Lord,

Tobit 8:16

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 8 of 14 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 24 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Tobias, Sarah, Raphael and Adam, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "And after they had supped, they brought in the young man to her." The chapter ends with: "And of all things which Raguel possessed, he gave one half to Tobias, and made a writing, that the half that remained…" 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 8 presents a concrete episode in the history of family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And after they had supped, they brought in the young man to her." 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 2105). 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.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. 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

  • 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.
  • God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.

People in This Chapter

Tobias6 mentionsSarah2 mentionsRaphael1 mentionAdam1 mentionAnna1 mentionEve1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Tobit Chapter 8 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. this deuterocanonical book teaches about guardian angels and prayer (CIC 336). The passage calls believers to grasp that Prayer and almsgiving rise before God.

May your reading of Tobit Chapter 8 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how Prayer and almsgiving rise before God applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tobit Chapter 8 about?

Tobit 8 contains 24 verses. It opens with "And after they had supped, they brought in the young man to her." and closes with "And of all things which Raguel possessed, he gave one half to Tobias, and made a writing, that the half that remained…". The book as a whole is edifying narrative (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Tobit 8?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And after they had supped, they brought in the young man to her." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Tobit Chapter 8?

This chapter mentions Tobias, Sarah, Raphael, Adam, Anna, among others.

Who wrote Tobit and when?

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

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