Tobit – Chapter 9

Old Testament • 12 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he took to be a man, and said to him: Brother Azarias, I pray thee hearken to my words:" — so begins Tobit 9. The chapter centers on Tobias and Raphael. Across its 12 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God feeding His people. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he took to be a man, and said to him: Brother Azarias, I pray thee hearken to my words:

2If I should give myself to be thy servant I should not make a worthy return for thy care.

3However, I beseech thee, to take with thee beasts and servants, and to go to Gabelus to Rages the city of the Medes: and to restore to him his note of hand, and receive of him the money, and desire him to come to my wedding.

4For thou knowest that my father numbereth the days: and if I stay one day more, his soul will be afflicted.

5And indeed thou seest how Raguel hath adjured me, whose adjuring I cannot despise.

6Then Raphael took four of Raguel's servants, and two camels, and went to Rages the city of the Medes: and finding Gabelus, gave him his note of hand, and received of him all the money.

7And he told him concerning Tobias the son of Tobias, all that had been done: and made him come with him to the wedding.

8And when he was come into Raguel's house he found Tobias sitting at the table: and he leaped up, and they kissed each other: and Gabelus wept, and blessed God,

9And said: The God of Israel bless thee, because thou art the son of a very good and just man, and that feareth God, and doth almsdeeds:

10And may a blessing come upon thy wife and upon your parents.

11And may you see your children, and your children's children, unto the third and fourth generation: and may your seed be blessed by the God of Israel, who reigneth for ever and ever.

12And when all had said, Amen, they went to the feast: but the marriage feast they celebrated also with the fear of the Lord.

Important Verses in Tobit 9

“Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he took to be a man, and said to him: Brother Azarias, I pray thee hearken to my words:”

Tobit 9:1

“For thou knowest that my father numbereth the days: and if I stay one day more, his soul will be afflicted.”

Tobit 9:4

“And when he was come into Raguel's house he found Tobias sitting at the table: and he leaped up, and they kissed each other: and Gabelus wept, and blessed God,”

Tobit 9:8

“And when all had said, Amen, they went to the feast: but the marriage feast they celebrated also with the fear of the Lord. ”

Tobit 9:12

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 9 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 12 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Tobias and Raphael, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he took to be a man, and said to him: Brother Azarias, I pray thee hearken to…" The final verse reads: "And when all had said, Amen, they went to the feast: but the marriage feast they celebrated also with the fear of the…" 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. 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

The literal sense of Tobit 9 presents a concrete episode in the history of family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he took to be a man, and said to him: Brother Azarias, I pray thee hearken to my words:" 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 113). 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.
  • ✓From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.
  • ✓God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.

People in This Chapter

Tobias4 mentionsRaphael1 mention

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Tobit Chapter 9, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. intercession for others remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

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 9 about?

Tobit 9 contains 12 verses. It opens with "Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he took to be a man, and said to him: Brother Azarias, I pray thee hearken to…" and closes with "And when all had said, Amen, they went to the feast: but the marriage feast they celebrated also with the fear of the…". The book as a whole is edifying narrative (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Tobit 9?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he took to be a man, and said to him: Brother Azarias, I pray thee hearken to my words:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Tobit Chapter 9?

This chapter mentions Tobias, Raphael.

Who wrote Tobit and when?

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

Related Chapters

Nehemiah 2Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Chronicles 26Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Chronicles 17Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Prayer Before Communion🙏Spiritual Communion

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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