Introduction:
Tobias is a significant figure in the apocryphal Book of Tobit, which is part of the Deuterocanonical books in the Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions. While not included in the Protestant canon, the account of Tobias offers valuable insights into themes of faith, divine providence, and filial piety.

Background:
Tobias is the son of Tobit, a devout and righteous Israelite of the tribe of Naphtali, living in Nineveh after the Assyrian exile. The narrative of Tobias is set during the time of the Assyrian Empire, a period marked by the dispersion and suffering of the Israelite people.

Narrative Overview:
The Book of Tobit begins with Tobit, who, despite his exile, remains faithful to the laws of God. He is known for his acts of charity, such as burying the dead, which eventually leads to his financial ruin and blindness. In his distress, Tobit prays for death, while simultaneously, in a distant land, Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, also prays for deliverance from a demon that has killed her seven husbands.

Tobias' Journey:
Tobit sends his son Tobias on a journey to Media to retrieve a sum of money he had deposited with a relative. Unbeknownst to Tobias, God sends the angel Raphael to accompany him. Raphael, disguised as a human, guides Tobias and provides protection and wisdom throughout the journey.

During the journey, Tobias catches a fish in the Tigris River, and Raphael instructs him to keep its heart, liver, and gall bladder for their healing properties. Raphael later reveals that these parts can be used to drive away demons and cure Tobit's blindness.

Marriage to Sarah:
Upon reaching Media, Tobias meets Sarah and, with Raphael's guidance, marries her. On their wedding night, Tobias uses the fish's liver and heart to drive away the demon Asmodeus, who had been tormenting Sarah. This act of faith and obedience results in the demon's defeat, and Tobias and Sarah are blessed with a happy marriage.

Return and Restoration:
Tobias returns to Nineveh with Sarah and the retrieved money. He uses the fish's gall to cure his father's blindness, fulfilling the divine plan and restoring his family's fortunes. Tobit's faithfulness is rewarded, and he praises God for His mercy and deliverance.

Theological Themes:
The account of Tobias emphasizes the importance of faith, prayer, and divine intervention. It highlights the belief in angels as messengers and protectors sent by God. The narrative also underscores the virtues of filial piety, charity, and the sanctity of marriage.

Biblical References:
While the Book of Tobit is not part of the Protestant Bible, it is referenced in the Septuagint and is included in the Catholic and Orthodox biblical canons. The Berean Standard Bible does not contain the Book of Tobit, but its themes resonate with other biblical teachings on faith and divine providence.

Legacy and Influence:
Tobias' account has been influential in Christian art and literature, often depicted in paintings and sculptures. It serves as a moral and spiritual lesson on the power of faith and the importance of trusting in God's plan, even amidst trials and tribulations.TOBIAS

to-bi'-as:

(1) The son of Tobit.

See TOBIT, BOOK OF.

(2) Tobias, Codex Alexandrinus Tobio the father (according to Josephus, grandfather) of HYRCANUS (which see) (2 Maccabees 3:11).

How, when Archbishop Theodore Died, Bertwald Succeeded Him as ...
... How, when Archbishop Theodore died, Bertwald succeeded him as archbishop, and, among
many others whom he ordained, he made the learned Tobias bishop of the ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap viii how when archbishop.htm

On Creation
... God? We know it from the beautiful story of Tobias, told in the Holy Scripture.
(Tobias). This holy man loved and feared God. He ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 4 on creation.htm

How Holy Charity Produces the Love of Our Neighbour.
... The young Tobias, accompanied by the angel Raphael, having met with Raguel his relative,
by whom, however, he was unknown,"Raguel had no sooner set eyes upon ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xi how holy charity.htm

Ancient Syriac Documents Relating to the Earliest Establishment of ...
... "After Jesus was ascended, Judas Thomas sent to him Thadd??us the apostle, one of
the Seventy. And, when he was come, he lodged with Tobias, son of Tobias. ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents relating to.htm

Introductory Note to Chapter iii. By the Editor
... Thus, when young Tobias set out on a journey, his companion, Azarias, was
not a real human being, but an archangel in human form. ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/introductory note to chapter iii.htm

Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.
... pious care in burying the bodies of his Jewish brethren whom that king had slain,
and he was obliged to flee with his wife Anna and his son Tobias, leaving all ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/appendix the apocryphal books of.htm

Narrative Concerning the Prince of the Edessenes.
... an apostle, [225] one of the Seventy. When he was come he lodged with Tobias,
[226] the son of Tobias. When the report of him got ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xiii narrative concerning the prince.htm

The Foreign Missions and their Influence.
... He determined to consult his friend Tobias Leupold, and abide the issue of the colloquy;
and in the evening the two young men took their usual stroll together ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vi the foreign missions.htm

Preaching of the Apostle Thadd??us at Edessa; Copy of Five Letters ...
... Thadd??us came to the house of Tobias, a Jewish prince, who is said to have
been of the race of the Pacradouni. Tobias, having left ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/viii preaching of the apostle.htm

How
... And the sons of Tobias took the part of Menelaus, but the greater part of the people
assisted Jason; and by that means Menelaus and the sons of Tobias were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how.htm

Tobias
...TOBIAS. ... See TOBIT, BOOK OF. (2) Tobias, Codex Alexandrinus Tobio the father (according
to Josephus, grandfather) of HYRCANUS (which see) (2 Maccabees 3:11). ...
/t/tobias.htm - 6k

Tobit
... The original Hebrew word thus transliterated (Tobhiyah) means "Yahweh is good."
The Greek name of the son is Tobias, a variant of the same Hebrew word. ...
/t/tobit.htm - 34k

Anaharath (1 Occurrence)
... The original Hebrew word thus transliterated (Tobhiyah) means "Yahweh is good."
The Greek name of the son is Tobias, a variant of the same Hebrew word. ...
/a/anaharath.htm - 87k

Raguel (1 Occurrence)
... ra-gu'-el, rag'-u-el (Rhagouel): "The friend of God," of Ecbatana, the husband of
Edna, father of Sarah, and father-in-law of Tobias (Tobit 3:7, 17; 6:10; 7:2 ...
/r/raguel.htm - 9k

Hyrcanus
... her-ka'-nus (Hurkanos): "Son of Tobias, a man of great dignity," who had a large
sum of money deposited in the Temple of Jerusalem when Heliodorus was sent to ...
/h/hyrcanus.htm - 6k

Gabael
... The money was restored to Tobit in the time of his distress through his son Tobias,
whom the angel Raphael led to Gabael at Rages (APC TOBIT 1:14; 4:1, 20; 5:06 ...
/g/gabael.htm - 6k

Tobie
Tobie. Tobias, Tobie. Tobiel . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia TOBIE.
to'-bi. See TUBIAS. Tobias, Tobie. Tobiel . Reference Bible.
/t/tobie.htm - 6k

Tobiah (14 Occurrences)
... to-bi'-a (Tobhiyah; Codex Alexandrinus Tobias; omitted in Codex Vaticanus): (1)
An Ammonite slave (King James Version, "servant"), probably of Sanballat, the ...
/t/tobiah.htm - 13k

Tobi'ah's (1 Occurrence)
Tobi'ah's. Tobiah's, Tobi'ah's. Tobias . Multi-Version Concordance Tobi'ah's
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Tobiah's, Tobi'ah's. Tobias . Reference Bible.
/t/tobi'ah's.htm - 6k

Raphael
... ra'-a-el, ra'-fa-el (repha'el, from rapha' 'el, "God has healed"; Rhaphael): The
name of the angel who, as Azarias, guides Tobias to ECBATANA and RAGES (which ...
/r/raphael.htm - 8k

Is there an angel named Raphael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the book of Tobit? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Athanasius? | GotQuestions.org

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