Tobit : Christian Community Bible

Introduction to Tobit

The Book of Tobit is a short story.

Who is Tobit? He is a Jew from the north of Palestine, of the tribe of Naphtali, exiled to Assyria.

Tobit Senior is a man tested by God but not rejected by him. His perseverance in prayer brings God’s blessings upon him.

When Tobit becomes the king’s administrator, he is not conceited nor does he look down on others, but remains faithful to his poor, exiled people. He is an example of solidarity for us. Even though the good he does brings him misfortune, he remains faithful to his God and faces up to difficult situations. In his poverty he is concerned about his people.

He is not overcome by the jokes of others, nor by his wife who reproaches him for the good he does. His wife Anna copes with the situation by working in Ahikar’s household, although they were formerly rich. Tobit’s preoccupation about handing his religion down to his son and his concern for the future of his son, show that he is a real father.

NOTE: excerpted from the introductory material for this book.