The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Book 17: Tobias: The Challoner Revision

In Short

Set during the Assyrian captivity, this ancient narrative follows two pious Israelites living far from home: the steadfast older Tobias, who blinds himself through his relentless dedication to burying the slain, and Sara, a desolate woman tormented by a demon that slaughters her husbands. When the elder Tobias sends his son, young Tobias, to recover a distant debt, the archangel Raphael joins them disguised as a mortal guide. Through perilous trials, divine medicine, and steadfast faith, the fractured families are united, sight is restored, and enduring piety is richly rewarded.

The Story

The narrative opens in the Assyrian city of Ninive, where the Israelite exile Tobias maintains an unwavering life of righteousness. Despite royal prohibitions, he continually feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, and risks his life to bury murdered kinsmen. One day, after exhaustion forces him to sleep by a wall, hot dung from a swallow's nest falls upon his eyes, plunging him into total blindness. This profound trial tests his patience as mocking relatives question his faith, and even his working wife, Anna, grows bitter under their shared poverty. At the same time, in the distant Median city of Rages, a young woman named Sara suffers a parallel agony. Tormented by a malicious demon named Asmodeus who murders every husband on their wedding night, she prays for release from her deep reproach.

Hearing their simultaneous cries, God dispatches the archangel Raphael, disguised as a mortal kinsman named Azarias, to guide the elder Tobias's son, young Tobias, on a journey to retrieve a long-standing silver loan from Gabelus. As the young traveler and his disguised celestial companion set out, a monstrous fish attacks young Tobias at the Tigris River. Raphael instructs him to haul the creature ashore and preserve its heart, gall, and liver for future medicines. Continuing to Rages, they lodge with Raguel, Sara's father. Raphael reveals that Sara is destined to be young Tobias's wife. Apprehensive because of her tragic history, young Tobias nevertheless follows the angel's precise instructions: on their wedding night, he burns the fish's liver on coals, driving the demon away to the desert of upper Egypt while he and Sara pray earnestly for preservation and posterity.

Anxious parents back in Ninive weep over the delay, but Raphael swiftly travels ahead with servants to collect the silver from Gabelus, bringing him along to celebrate the joyful wedding feast. Laden with wealth, livestock, and his new bride, young Tobias finally returns home. He immediately applies the fish's gall to his father's eyes, miraculously peeling away a white film and restoring his sight. Overjoyed, the family attempts to reward their loyal guide with half their possessions, prompting Raphael to reveal his true identity as one of the seven holy angels who stand before God, before vanishing from their sight.

The elder Tobias responds with a magnificent hymn praising God's justice and prophesying the glorious restoration of Jerusalem. He lives to a peaceful old age of one hundred and two, urging his son and grandsons to practice continuous piety and almsdeeds. Following his death and the subsequent passing of his mother, the younger Tobias moves his family back to Media, inheriting Raguel's estate. He lives out his days in righteousness, seeing his descendants to the fifth generation before dying happily in the fear of the Lord.

How It Unfolds

A life of steadfast mercy The narrative establishes the elder Tobias as an exemplary exile who consistently buries the dead and obeys God despite severe royal persecution. This unwavering devotion continues even after a freak accident involving a swallow's nest leaves him totally blind and strains his relationship with his hardworking wife.

The parallel affliction Miles away in Media, a virtuous woman named Sara faces deep despair because a jealous demon named Asmodeus murders every man she marries on their wedding night. Both desperate figures offer tearful prayers to heaven on the exact same day, prompting a swift and coordinated divine intervention.

The river monster and celestial guide God sends the archangel Raphael, disguised as a mortal kinsman named Azarias, to accompany young Tobias on a journey to recover a long-standing debt in Rages. Along the way, young Tobias conquers a monstrous river fish and preserves its heart, gall, and liver under the angel's precise instructions.

The wedding night deliverance Arriving at the home of his kinsman Raguel, young Tobias boldly requests the hand of Sara in marriage. By burning the fish's liver on the hearth, he successfully banishes the demon to upper Egypt and secures their union against the tragedies of the past.

The restoration of sight The newly reunited party travels back to Ninive carrying abundant wealth, camels, livestock, and bride gifts. Young Tobias immediately applies the remaining fish gall to his father's clouded eyes, miraculously peeling away the film and restoring his sight to the immense joy of the household.

The angelic revelation and final peace When the grateful family attempts to pay their mysterious guide with half their accumulated wealth, Raphael reveals his true identity as a heavenly messenger before ascending from their sight. The elder Tobias sings a triumphant psalm of praise before passing away at a great age, and his son eventually dies happily surrounded by generations of righteous descendants.

The People

The story centers on a small group of deeply faithful individuals navigating profound trials. Tobias the elder is a righteous man of the tribe of Nephtali who wants only to serve God and care for his community through charity and burying the dead. His stubborn dedication stands in the face of royal decrees and sudden blindness, yet he remains entirely uncomplaining until his peaceful death. His son, young Tobias, wants to obey his father and protect his family, stepping up from youth into a courageous traveler who successfully faces monsters and claims his bride. Sara, the daughter of Raguel in Media, wants a quiet, virtuous life but is obstructed by the demon Asmodeus, who slaughters her husbands. Through faith and the angel's help, she finds freedom and a lasting marriage. Raphael, appearing as the mortal guide Azarias, wants to execute God's will by healing both households, operating with hidden divine purpose until he reveals himself as one of the seven archangels. Anna, the mother, works tirelessly at weaving to sustain them, though poverty and fear occasionally test her temper before joy returns. Raguel, Sara's father, worries deeply for his daughter's safety but welcomes his young kinsman with open-hearted generosity, ultimately sharing his wealth. Each character evolves from acute suffering and isolation into joyful participants in divine restoration.

In Its Own Voice

Reflecting on his lifelong commitment to righteousness despite the mockery of his neighbors after losing his sight, the blind patriarch offers a profound confession of faith.

For we are the children of saints, and look for that life which God will give to those that never change their faith from him.

Overwhelmed by her tragic losses and the cruel accusations of her father's servant, the distressed young woman turns to heaven with an earnest plea for release.

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

Before vanishing into the unseen realms after completing his mission of healing, the heavenly guide explains the true nature of his earthly presence.

For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God: bless ye him, and sing praises to him.

What It's Really About

The narrative explores the mechanics of divine providence operating within the mundane struggles of domestic life. It posits that human suffering, whether through unjust persecution, accidental blindness, or demonic affliction, is often a trial designed to test and refine genuine faith rather than a sign of divine abandonment. Almsgiving, fasting, and sincere prayer emerge as active spiritual currencies that secure heavenly protection and deliver souls from destruction. Furthermore, the text bridges individual virtue with collective destiny, linking personal family restoration in exile to the broader theological hope for the future rebuilding of Jerusalem and the ultimate triumph of God's mercy over human despair.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate classic spiritual narratives, folk motifs like miraculous fish remedies, and heartwarming tales of domestic perseverance will find deep resonance here. Reading it feels like stepping into an ancient, contemplative world where every household meal, journey, and tearful prayer holds immediate cosmic significance. Modern readers must navigate period-specific cultural attitudes toward marriage and suffering, alongside the formal, archaic cadence of the historic translation. Yet, the emotional core remains startlingly immediate and accessible. The poignant depiction of aging parents scanning the horizon for a missing child, the raw human friction of a household strained by poverty, and the profound relief of recovery transcend their ancient setting. What stays with you long after finishing is the striking, tender image of the family dog running ahead to announce a son's return, beautifully grounding grand divine mysteries in simple, enduring human affection.