Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 6:17
Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and [the letters] of Tobiah came unto them.
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.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Corresponding with him against Nehemiah, and against their own city and nation.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
To this Nehemiah adds the supplementary remark, that in those days even nobles of Judah were in alliance and active correspondence with Tobiah, because he had married into a respectable Jewish family.
Neh 6:17 “Also in those days the nobles of Judah wrote many letters ( , they made many, multiplied, their letters) passing to Tobiah, and those of Tobiah came to them.”
Neh 6:18 For many in Judah were sworn unto him, for he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken (to wife) the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah. In this case Tobiah was connected with two Jewish families, – a statement which is made to confirm the fact that many in Judah were , associates of an oath, joined to him by an oath, not allies in consequence of a treaty sworn to (Bertheau). From this reason being given, we may conclude his affinity by marriage was confirmed by an oath. Shecaniah ben Arah was certainly a respectable Jew of the race of Arah, Ezr 2:5. Meshullam ben Berechiah appears among those who shared in the work of building, Neh 3:4 and Neh 3:30. According to Neh 13:4, the high priest Eliashib was also related to Tobiah. From the fact that both Tobiah and his son Jehohanan have genuine Jewish names, Bertheau rightly infers that they were probably descended from Israelites of the northern kingdom of the ten tribes. With this the designation of Tobiah as “the Ammonite” may be harmonized by the supposition that his more recent or remote ancestors were naturalized Ammonites.
Neh 6:19 “Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him.” , the good things in him, or “his good qualities and intentions” (Bertheau). The subject of the sentence is the nobles of Judah. , they were bringing forth to him. On this matter Bertheau remarks, that there is no reason for assuming that the nobles of Judah endeavoured, by misrepresenting and distorting the words of Nehemiah, to widen the breach between him and Tobiah. This is certainly true; but, at the same time, we cannot further infer from these words that they were trying to effect an understanding between the two, and representing to Nehemiah how dangerous and objectionable his undertaking was; but were by this very course playing into the hands of Tobiah. For an understanding between two individuals, hostile the one to the other, is not to be brought about by reporting to the one what is the other’s opinion of him. Finally, Nehemiah mentions also that Tobiah also sent letters to put him in fear ( , infin. Piel, like 2Ch 32:18; comp. the participle above, Neh 6:9 and Neh 6:14). The letters were probably of similar contents with the letter of Sanballat given in Neh 6:6.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(17) Many letters.There was a large correspondence between Tobiah and the nobles of Judah.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(17-19) A supplementary account is here introduced, explaining the intrigues within Jerusalem to which reference has been made.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
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.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(17) Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. (18) 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. (19) Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
That the nobles of Judah should have been in this base conduct against Nehemiah, must have occasioned many painful feelings in his mind. We wrestle not only against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. Eph 6:12 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
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.
Sent many letters unto Tobiah
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the noblest = certain nobles. Not necessarily all.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Tobiah
(See Scofield “Neh 2:10”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
the nobles: Neh 3:5, Neh 5:7, Neh 13:28, Mic 7:1-6, Mat 24:10-12
sent many letters unto Tobiah: Heb. multiplied their letters passing to Tobiah
Reciprocal: Neh 13:4 – allied Pro 11:13 – revealeth Jer 29:25 – Because Jer 41:10 – to the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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 Ezras action was in the dissolution of them.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
6:17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many {k} letters unto Tobiah, and [the letters] of Tobiah came unto them.
(k) Thus the Church of God always has enemies within itself, which is more dangerous than outward and professed enemies.