Book of Tobit

The Book of Tobit is an ancient Jewish narrative composed during the Second Temple period and set among Israelites exiled to Assyria following the destruction of the northern Kingdom of Israel.

It tells the story of Tobit, a devout Israelite from the tribe of Naphtali living in Nineveh, and his son Tobias, who travels with the angel Raphael disguised as a human companion. The narrative emphasizes charity, prayer, marriage, burial of the dead, and faithfulness to Jewish traditions in exile.

Aramaic and Hebrew fragments discovered at Qumran confirm its circulation among ancient Jews. Although excluded from the Tanakh, it was preserved in several Christian biblical traditions.