Book of Tobit facts for kids

The Book of Tobit is an exciting story found in some versions of the Bible. It's considered a special and holy book by the Catholic and Orthodox faiths. Important church meetings, like the Council of Carthage (in 397 AD) and the Council of Trent (in 1546 AD), confirmed it as part of their official Bible. The Church of England also mentions it in its Thirty-Nine Articles.

Many Protestant Christians see Tobit as an "apocryphal" book. This means they don't consider it part of their main Bible. Also, it was never included in the Tanakh, which is the Jewish Bible, by ancient Jewish scholars. However, you can find it in the Septuagint, an old Greek translation of the Jewish Bible. Interestingly, parts of the book written in Aramaic and Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea scrolls in 1952.

The story tells about a man named Tobit who goes blind and feels very sad. But he gets his sight back with help from an Angel named Raphael. The book also follows Tobit's son, Tobias. He travels to collect money, and the Angel Raphael goes with him. Raphael tells Tobias about a woman named Sarah who wants to get married. Sadly, her previous husbands all died mysteriously right before their weddings. This made Sarah very sad. But this time, with Tobias, the man does not die, and Tobit and Sarah get married happily. The Book of Tobit teaches us about guardian angels. It also shows us how important it is to stay loyal to God, even when times are tough.

What is the Book of Tobit?

The Book of Tobit is a fascinating story from ancient times. It is part of the Bible for many Christians, especially Catholics and Orthodox believers. It tells a tale of faith, family, and divine help. The book is named after its main character, Tobit, a good and faithful man.

Where Does it Come From?

Experts believe the Book of Tobit was written around the second century BC. This means it's over 2,100 years old! It was likely written in Palestine, a region in the Middle East. While it wasn't part of the official Jewish Bible, it was very popular. Finding parts of it among the Dead Sea Scrolls shows how important it was to people long ago. These ancient scrolls are a huge discovery for understanding history.

What is the Story About?

The story of Tobit is full of adventure and miracles. Tobit, a kind and generous man, suddenly loses his eyesight. He feels hopeless and prays for help. Meanwhile, his son, Tobias, goes on a journey to collect some money. An angel named Raphael, disguised as a human, travels with Tobias.

During their journey, Raphael helps Tobias in many ways. He tells Tobias about Sarah, a young woman who has had a very difficult life. Her previous seven husbands all died on their wedding night! Raphael guides Tobias to marry Sarah. With the angel's help, Tobias breaks the curse. He and Sarah get married and live happily. Raphael also helps Tobit regain his sight. The story ends with Tobit praising God for all the blessings.

Why is Tobit Important?

The Book of Tobit teaches us several important lessons. It shows us the power of prayer and trusting in God. It also highlights the idea of guardian angels. These are angels who protect and guide people. The story of Raphael helping Tobit and Tobias is a great example of this. The book also reminds us to always stay loyal to God, even when we face big challenges. It teaches us about family loyalty, charity, and overcoming difficulties with faith.

Images for kids

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  Tobit Accusing Anna of Stealing the Kid, painted by Rembrandt in 1626.

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  Tobias Saying Good-Bye to his Father, painted by William-Adolphe Bouguereau in 1860.

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  A leaf from a vellum manuscript of the Book of Tobit, created around 1240.

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  The Blindness of Tobit, a sketch by Rembrandt from 1651.

See also

In Spanish: Libro de Tobit para niños