Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. For there were many in Judah sworn to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as wife. Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
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Nehemiah 6:17-19 sits inside this longer paragraph.
So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard of it, all the nations that were around us were afraid, and they lost their confidence; for they perceived that this work was done by our God. Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. For there were many in Judah sworn to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as wife. Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
Parallel Translations
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Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them.
For there were many in Judah sworn to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as wife.
Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
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Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.
For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
Show all 3 translations
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Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.
For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah to wife.
Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
Cross-references (17)
- Ezra 2:5 (v18) The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five.
- Nehemiah 7:10 (v18) The children of Arah: six hundred fifty-two.
- Nehemiah 3:4 (v18) Next to them, Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz made repairs. Next to them, Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of…
- Nehemiah 3:30 (v18) After him, Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another portion. After him, Meshullam the son of…
- Nehemiah 3:5 (v17) Next to them, the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles didn’t put their necks to the Lord’s work.
Show all 17 cross-references
- Nehemiah 5:7 (v17) Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, “You exact usury, everyone of his brother.” I…
- Nehemiah 6:9 (v19) For they all would have made us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done.” But now, strengthen my…
- Nehemiah 6:13 (v19) He hired so that I would be afraid, do so, and sin, and that they might have material for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
- Nehemiah 13:28 (v17) One of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I chased him from me.
- Proverbs 28:4 (v19) Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
- Isaiah 37:10-14 (v19) “Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, ‘Don’t let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, “Jerusalem won’t be…
- Micah 7:1-6 (v17) Misery is mine! Indeed, I am like one who gathers the summer fruits, as gleanings of the vineyard: There is no cluster of grapes to eat. My…
- Matthew 24:10-12 (v17) Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many…
- John 7:7 (v19) The world can’t hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.
- John 15:19 (v19) If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore…
- Acts 4:18-21 (v19) They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is…
- 1 John 4:5 (v19) They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (15 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v17 Thus the Church of God hath evermore enemies within…
Thus the Church of God hath evermore enemies within itself, which are more dangerous than the outward and professed enemy.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv17–19 Neh 6:17 Moreover in those days the nobles of…
Neh 6:17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and [the letters] of Tobiah came unto them.
Ver. 17. Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah] Heb. The white ones; either, because they went in white garments, as Joseph, Mordecai, &c., or because they were illustrious and famous for wisdom and virtue. But in these nobles of Judah was nomen inane, crimen immune. Here was sedes prima, vita ima, dignitas in indigno; hoc est, ornamentum in lute, white garments they might have, but with sooty souls, and black manners.
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Sent many letters unto Tobiah] Heb. Multiplied their letters (or packets), walking to Tobiah, with whom thereby they held correspondency; as at this day they do with the Turkish viziers and bashaws of state, giving them continual intelligence of the affairs of Christendom, and advising most of that mischief which the Turk puts in execution against us.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv17–18 Corresponding with him against Nehemiah, and against their own…
Corresponding with him against Nehemiah, and against their own city and nation.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv17–19 Moreover, in those days,.... While the wall was building:
Moreover, in those days,.... While the wall was building:
the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them; letters passed between them frequently, they informing him how things went on at Jerusalem, and he advising them to what was detrimental to the true interest of their nation; such false friends had Nehemiah about him, and yet the work succeeded under him; which showed it the more to be of God.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv17–18 Verse 17. The nobles of Judah sent many letters]…
Verse 17. The nobles of Judah sent many letters] The circumstances marked in this and the following verses show still more clearly the difficulties which Nehemiah had to encounter; he had enemies without and false friends within. A treacherous correspondence was carried on between the nobles of Judah and the Ammonites; and had almost any other man been at the head of the Jewish affairs, Jerusalem had never been re-established.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv17, 19 Neh 6:17-18. The nobles of Judah sent many letters…
Neh 6:17-18. The nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah — Corresponding with him against Nehemiah, and against their own city and nation. So that, added to all the other wickedness of this people, there were false brethren among their great men, who favoured, aided, and abetted the designs of their enemies, Neh 6:18. There were many in Judah sworn unto him — To be true to him in the prosecution of his wicked designs. Because his son had taken the daughter of Meshullam — This is mentioned to show the mischief of such unequal and forbidden marriages, and how reasonable and necessary Ezra’s action was in the dissolution of them.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v18 Though Tobiah is called “the servant” or “slave” Neh…
Though Tobiah is called “the servant” or “slave” Neh 2:10, Neh 2:19, and was perhaps a bought slave of Sanballat’s, yet he was in such a position that Jewish nobles readily contracted affinity with him. This is quite in harmony with the practice of the East, where slaves often fill high positions and make great marriages.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv18–19 Mosollam, one of the builders, chap. iii. 4. (Menochius)…
Mosollam, one of the builders, chap. iii. 4. (Menochius) --- These two powerful men had consequently acted contrary to the laws of God, and the covenant of Esdras, with respect to marriages. They might fear the resentment of the zealous governor. Dangers from false brethren, (2 Corinthians xi. 26.) wars without, and fears within, generally assail the servants of God. (Haydock)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv17–19 17. The nobles of Judah… letters unto Tobiah —…
17. The nobles of Judah… letters unto Tobiah — This secret correspondence between some of the nobles and Tobiah shows still more clearly the fearful embarrassments of Nehemiah. The enemy not only bribed some of the prophets, but also some of the nobles, to act the part of traitors. Neh_6:12; Neh_6:14.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv17–19 17. in those days] i.e. during the whole of…
17. in those days] i.e. during the whole of this period a treasonable correspondence was carried on between Tobiah and the disaffected Jewish nobles. That these included the family of the High-priest is rendered probable by Chap. Neh_13:4.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv17–19 (17) Many letters.—There was a large correspondence between Tobiah…
(17) Many letters.—There was a large correspondence between Tobiah and the nobles of Judah.
(17-19) A supplementary account is here introduced, explaining the intrigues within Jerusalem to which reference has been made.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv17–19 Moreover in those days. Ewald supposes that the circumstances…
Moreover in those days. Ewald supposes that the circumstances here related (vers. 17-19) were subsequent to the completion of the wall ("History of Israel," vol. 5. p. 157); but the expression "in those days" seems rather to throw back the events into the time during which the wall was in building. The passage is a sort of explanatory note, showing us how Tobiah came to be able to raise those intrigues inside Jerusalem which have been mentioned in vers. 12-14. And the letters of Tobiah came unto them. Rather, "and many were the letters of Tobiah which came to them."
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v19 Also they reported his good deeds before me.
Neh_6:19
Also they reported his good deeds before me.
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The bad men praised
I. Bad men do get praised.
1. Sometimes this praise is real.
2. Sometimes this praise is mistaken.
3. Sometimes this praise is fictitious altogether.
II. Bad men are anxious for praise.
1. In this there is a sentence of condemnation.
2. In this there is an indirect homage to virtue.
III. Bad men are not hidden by the praise of the world.
1. Good men detect.
2. God detects.
Application:
1. Do not be discouraged by this misdirected praise.
2. Do not be deceived into any lowering of the standard of righteousness. (Homiletic Commentary.)
.
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v17 (See Scofield "Neh 2:10").
Tobiah
(See Scofield "Neh 2:10").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v17 sent many letters
sent many letters
The nobles sent messengers to bring these letters to Tobiah. AT: "sent many messengers with letters" (See: Metonymy)
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Tobiah's letters came
Here Tobiah's letters are personified as coming by themselves, when they were actually brought by messengers. AT: "Tobiah sent letters" or "Tobiah sent many messengers with letters" (See: Personification)
Tobiah
See how you translated this man's name in Nehemiah 2:10. (See: How to Translate Names)
who were bound by an oath to him
This speaks of people being loyal to Tobiah because they had pledged an oath to him as if their oath were a rope that bound their bodies. AT: "who had sworn an oath to him" or "who had made an oath and were loyal to him" (See: Metaphor)
he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah
This means that Tobiah was married to the daughter of Shecaniah. See how you translated "Shecaniah" in Nehemiah 3:29. (See: How to Translate Names)
Arah ... Jehohanan
These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)
Meshullam ... Berechiah
These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:4. (See: How to Translate Names)
They also spoke to me about his good deeds and reported my words back to him
"The Jewish nobles told me about Tobiah's good deeds and then told him about my responses"
Letters were sent to me from Tobiah
This can be stated in active form. Tobiah sent messengers to bring the letters to Nehemiah. AT: "Tobiah sent letters to me" or "Tobiah sent messengers to bring letters to me" (See: Active or Passive and Metonymy)
translationWords
kingdom of Judah
epistle
oath
son
good
works
report
word
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.