The angel Raphael is mentioned in the Old Testament book of Tobit. While not one of the angels named in the Bible as an archangel, Raphael plays an important role in the Book of Tobit as a healer and guide. Here is a detailed look at what the Bible says about Raphael:
Raphael’s Appearance in the Book of Tobit
The book of Tobit is part of the Catholic and Orthodox biblical canon, but it is considered apocryphal by Jews and Protestants. The setting for the book is Nineveh after the Assyrians had exiled the northern tribes of Israel. Tobit was a devout Israelite living in Nineveh who experienced severe misfortune. Meanwhile, a woman named Sarah had lost seven husbands after they were killed by a demon on their wedding nights.
God heard the prayers of Tobit and Sarah and sent the angel Raphael in disguise to provide aid. Raphael appears as a human named Azariah and offers to accompany Tobit’s son Tobiah on a journey to Media to collect a debt. Raphael also advises Tobiah to marry Sarah upon his return.
Along the journey, Raphael helps Tobiah catch a large fish. Later, Raphael shows Tobiah how to use the fish’s heart, liver and gallbladder to drive away the demon that had killed Sarah’s previous husbands. Raphael continues in disguise throughout the journey, providing guidance and protection. After the demon is exorcised, Tobiah and Sarah marry.
Eventually, Raphael reveals his true identity as “one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the saints and enter into the presence of the glory of the Holy One” (Tobit 12:15). Raphael shares that God had sent him to heal Tobit’s blindness, provide companionship to Tobiah, and deliver Sarah from the demon. Before returning to heaven, Raphael instructs Tobit and Tobiah to praise God and declare His wonders.
Key Details about Raphael
Here are some key details we learn about Raphael from the book of Tobit:
- He is “one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord” (Tobit 12:15). This line has led some to conclude Raphael is one of the seven archangels.
- He has the power to heal physical ailments like blindness (Tobit 3:17).
- He provides guidance, companionship, and protection during travels (Tobit 5:4-22).
- He can deliver people from demons (Tobit 6:7-9, 16-18).
- He offers prayers to God on behalf of His righteous followers (Tobit 12:12).
- He was sent by God specifically in response to the prayers of Tobit and Sarah (Tobit 3:16-17).
Beyond this, the book of Tobit does not provide additional details about Raphael’s identity, responsibilities, or history.
Is Raphael Mentioned Elsewhere in the Bible?
Raphael is not mentioned by name anywhere else in the Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox biblical canons. Some speculate Raphael appears anonymously in other healing narratives:
- In John 5:1-9, an angel troubles the water of the Pool of Bethesda, imbuing it with healing power.
- In 2 Kings 20:1-11, an angel heals King Hezekiah’s fatal illness.
However, these passing mentions provide no details linking them definitively to Raphael.
Analysis of Raphael’s Significance
Although Raphael appears only in the apocryphal Tobit, his character offers some important lessons:
- He exemplifies God’s loving care for His faithful followers. When they pray earnestly, as Tobit and Sarah did, God will send aid.
- He demonstrates God gives His angels roles as messengers, healers, and guardians for humans in need.
- As a healer and guardian, Raphael foreshadows Christ’s ministry of performing miracles and offering guidance and protection to His followers.
- His secrecy about his identity until the end emphasizes the general mystery surrounding the spiritual realm.
For these reasons, Raphael is regarded as a model of compassion and comfort for those needing help. He also points towards Christ’s care for believers as the ultimate healer and guardian.
Raphael in Christian Tradition
Although Raphael is never named as an archangel in the Protestant or Catholic canons, tradition since the Middle Ages has commonly identified him with that title. He is usually associated as one of the seven archangels who stand before God’s throne. The other six archangels are Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Sariel, Raguel, and Remiel.
In Catholic tradition, Raphael is called the patron saint of pilgrims, travelers, happy meetings, nurses, physicians, medical workers, and the blind. He is also considered a patron saint of love, marriage, and joy. His feast day is celebrated on September 29th.
Raphael appears in many famous works of literature and art during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. He is a prominent character in John Milton’s Paradise Lost. The Italian painter Raphael painted Raphael the archangel in his famous fresco The Wedding of the Virgin.
However, Protestants do not recognize Raphael as an archangel since he is never given that title in the biblical canon. Protestants focus their angelology directly on scripture rather than church tradition.
Connection to Other Angels
Christian tradition over many centuries has attempted to build a hierarchy and system of angelic beings. Raphael is sometimes grouped with the following angels:
- Archangels – Raphael is considered one of the seven archangels by Catholic tradition.
- Angels of Healing – Raphael joins angels like Jeremiel and Ariel as sacred agents of healing.
- Guardian Angels – As a guide and protector, Raphael is connected to angels assigned as guardians.
However, the Bible itself does not provide an extensive framework of angelic classes and hierarchies. These associations come from tradition rather than direct scriptural references.
Interpretations of Raphael’s Name
Raphael’s name means “God has healed” in Hebrew (Rafa’el). His name reflects his actions in the Book of Tobit as a healer and deliverer. Additional symbolic meanings of Raphael’s name include:
- “God’s remedy”
- “God’s medicine”
- “God’s wholeness”
These interpretations emphasize how Raphael brings healing and restoration on God’s behalf.
Attributes of Raphael
Based on Raphael’s depiction in Tobit and Christian tradition, he is associated with the following attributes:
- Compassion – Seen in how sensitively he aids the characters in Tobit.
- Discretion – Observes the troubles of people but keeps his angelic identity secret.
- Guidance – Accompanies and advises Tobiah on his journey.
- Healing – Restores sight to Tobit and delivers Sarah from a demon.
- Protection – Keeps Tobiah safe on his travels.
- Secrets of God – Knows mysteries of the spiritual realm unknown to humans.
Raphael exemplifies how God sends His angels to gently help His faithful children in times of need.
Conclusion
The angel Raphael appears only in the apocryphal book of Tobit. He aids the characters by offering guidance, protection, and healing. While the Protestant and Jewish biblical canons do not accept Tobit, Raphael remains a prominent figure in Catholic angelology. He exemplifies God’s compassion and care for His faithful followers. For centuries Christians have invoked Raphael as an angel of healing, travelers, and joy.