Tobit Chapter 6 Summary - Key Points & Themes

Read Tobit Chapter 6 Summary

Lodging by the Tigris, Tobias is attacked by a fish while washing; at the angel's word he seizes it, keeps its heart, liver and gall, and they eat the rest. Raphael explains that the smoke of the heart and liver drives away an evil spirit and that the gall heals whitened eyes, then announces that they will stay with Raguel, whose only daughter Sara belongs to Tobias by right of kinship. Tobias fears the fate of her seven husbands, but Raphael reminds him of his father's counsel, tells him to burn the heart and liver in the bridal chamber and to pray with Sara, and Tobias's heart is joined to her.

Characters in This Chapter

Tobit

Devout exile in Nineveh who buries the dead, is blinded and healed

Tobias

His son, who travels to Media, marries Sara and heals his father

Raphael

Angel sent by God, disguised as Azarias, who guides Tobias and binds the demon

Moses

Prophet and Lawgiver

Places in This Chapter

Nineveh

Assyrian capital where Tobit lives in exile, buries the dead and is blinded; his last words announce its fall

Tigris River

River where Tobias, guided by the angel, catches the fish whose heart, liver and gall will heal

Jerusalem

City where young Tobit went up with his tithes, and whose rebuilding in glory his final hymn foresees

Ecbatana

City of Raguel in Media, where Tobias marries Sara and the demon is driven out

Position in Book

Tobit's Trials in NinevehChapters 1-2

Two Prayers HeardChapters 3

A Father's CounselChapters 4

The Journey with the AngelChapters 5-6

Tobias sets out with Raphael, who calls himself Azarias; at the Tigris they catch the fish whose heart, liver and gall will heal.

Marriage and DeliveranceChapters 7-9

Return and HealingChapters 10-11

The Angel RevealedChapters 12

Tobit's Hymn and Last WordsChapters 13-14