The Masculine Virtues of Tobit

I was raised Southern Baptist all my life, only recently have I been in the process of my conversion to Catholicism. Consequently, I never read the book of Tobit, nor was I aware of its existence. I knew of deuterocanonical/apocryphal texts, but I’d never taken the time to explore their depth - never opened their pages to explore the rich wisdom and history they hold within. What a shame it is that many of my protestant brothers and sisters will likely never read Tobit, as it offers profound insight into faithfulness, devotion to God, and the virtues of a father whose children can truly admire and respect.

Right from the start, Tobit’s autobiographical account of his story begins with his telling of us what he is most proud of, which, in turn, tells us what he believes a good and virtuous man is made up of.

I, Tobit, walked in the ways of truth and righteousness all the days of my life. I performed many acts of charity for my kindred and my people who had gone with me in exile to Nineveh in the land of the Assyrians. - Tobit 1:3, NRSV

Truth. Righteousness. Charity. Those three pillars could serve as a motto for traditional religious masculinity. Yet today, they are often overshadowed. The traits that take the spotlight of celebration today are strength, honor, and discipline, to name a few - undeniably important traits - but we must not neglect the principles Tobit exemplifies.

I would give my food to the hungry and my clothing to the naked; and if I saw the dead body of any of my people thrown out behind the wall of Nineveh, I would bury it. - Tobit 1:17, NRSV

In the first chapter of Tobit, he puts great emphasis on his charitable deeds and his tithing. What good is being a charitable father unless you pass that compassion on to your offspring? In the second chapter, his son Tobias is encouraged by Tobit to take part in his charity.

When the table was set for me and an abundance of food placed before me, I said to my son Tobias, “Go, my child, and bring whatever poor person you may find of our people among the exiles in Nineveh, who is wholeheartedly mindful of God, and he shall eat together with me. I will wait for you, until you come back.” - Tobit 2:2, NRSV

Tobit’s hunger for righteousness outweighed his hunger for food. I challenge you to find anyone who would take to the streets to find a poor person to invite into their house for a meal, all the while the meal is at the table. In ancient Jewish culture, hospitality was more than just a social expectation - it was a religious obligation. By insisting on inviting a fellow Israelite in need even at the expense of his hunger, Tobit is reflecting his deep commitment to this principle. This, at a time when many Israelites in exile had abandoned their religious practices. This is where Tobit’s righteousness is seen. Tobit is setting himself apart as a righteous man, devoted to God - even in a foreign land where such values were not widely held.

When the sun had set, I went and dug a grave and buried him. And my neighbors laughed and said, “Is he still not afraid? He has already been hunted down to be put to death for doing this, and he ran away; yet here he is again burying the dead!” - Tobit 2:7-8, NRSV

Tobit is mocked by his neighbors after he buries a fellow Israelite. Tobit does not waver as he continues to do the righteous act of providing a reverent burial for the deceased. Obeying God sometimes requires standing against human authority when it contradicts the divine law. These actions, this defiance, foreshadow later Christian teachings on corporal works of mercy, where burying the dead is considered one of the most compassionate acts a person can perform. In Tobit’s time, the Assyrian Empire had conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and taken many of its people into exile. As part of this capture, the Assyrians sought to weaken Israelite identity by suppressing religious customs and discouraging acts of piety. They exerted control by leaving bodies of executed Israelites unburied - a form of humiliation and desecration meant to instill fear and discourage resistance. For a righteous man like Tobit, this was not enough to deter him. Tobit, like all men should, sought to embody sacrificial love. His burial of the dead was not for personal gain, but a profound act of selflessness and mercy. In a time of danger under Sennacherib’s rule, he lived out the truth of James 2:26, demonstrating that faith without works is dead. His actions were not merely symbolic; they were tangible expressions of his unwavering devotion to God and his people.

Revere the Lord all your days, my son, and refuse to sin or to transgress his commandments. Live uprightly all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of wrongdoing; 6 for those who act in accordance with truth will prosper in all their activities. To all those who practice righteousness - Tobit 4:5-6, NRSV

In these verses, Tobit is giving his son Tobias instructions before sending him on a journey. It’s a moment filled with wisdom, responsibility, and truth. As fathers, we should follow Tobit’s example by not leaving the futures of our sons and of our daughters to chance - we need to actively instruct them on how to lead and live righteous lives. We need to teach our children to be mindful of the Lord, teach them to refuse to sin, teach them to live justly, and teach them to avoid wrongdoing. We see this in Proverbs 22:6, where it is said:

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

A father’s role is not just to provide materially, but to guide his children spiritually and morally. If you’re Catholic, I implore you to convince your protestant brothers to read the book of Tobit. Even if not for the aspect of faith, have them read it for the betterment of their person. Tobit was a virtuous man, a good model for all fathers in any era, but a great model for fathers in the current age. We should be so lucky to obtain one tenth of the spiritual strength Tobit had, and we should strive to place weight and emphasis on the same virtues he did. True masculinity and faithfulness to God are not just about strength or status, but acting with charity, living righteously, and holding fast to truth, even in adversity.

Truth. Righteousness. Charity.

Deo gratias.