The BibleGospel Companion

Tobiah

טוֹבִיָּ֫הוּ · to.viy.yah · H2900I“Tobijah, the Lord is good” Hitchcock's 186912 mentions, all in Nehemiah

Who he was

Tobiah, described as an Ammonite official, was one of the main opponents of Nehemiah during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem (Neh.2.10, 19; 4.3, 7; 6.1, 12, 14, 17, 19; 13.4, 7, 8). Along with Sanballat the Horonite and Geshem the Arab, Tobiah mocked and threatened Nehemiah and the Jews, trying to discourage and intimidate them from completing the work. Tobiah had close ties with some of the Jewish nobles, who kept him informed about Nehemiah's activities (Nehemiah 6:17–19). He even had a room in the temple courts, which Nehemiah later cleared out (Nehemiah 13:4–8). Despite the opposition and threats, Nehemiah persevered in rebuilding the walls, trusting in God's protection and strength. Tobiah's actions demonstrate the political and social challenges faced by Nehemiah in his efforts to restore Jerusalem and reform the Jewish community.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Family

Spousedaughter of ShecaniahChildrenJehohanan
Family relations: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

12 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)

Nehemiah 12 mentions

Nehemiah 2:10When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.Nehemiah 2:19But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite servant, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will…Nehemiah 4:3Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, “What they are building, if a fox climbed up it, he would break down their stone wall.”Nehemiah 4:7But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be filled, they…Nehemiah 6:1Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it (though even to that…Nehemiah 6:12I discerned, and behold, God had not sent him, but he pronounced this prophecy against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.Nehemiah 6:14“Remember, my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets that would have put me in fear.”Nehemiah 6:17Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them.Nehemiah 6:19Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.Nehemiah 13:4Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the rooms of the house of our God, being allied to Tobiah,Nehemiah 13:7and I came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing him a room in the courts of God’s house.Nehemiah 13:8It grieved me severely. Therefore I threw all Tobiah’s household stuff out of the room.

What the dictionary says

Pleasing to Jehovah, the “servant,” the “Ammonite,” who joined with those who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Exile (Neh. 2:10).

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
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Sources