Geshem, also known as Gashmu, is a figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Nehemiah. He is identified as an Arab leader who opposed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah, the Jewish governor appointed by the Persian king Artaxerxes I. Geshem's opposition is significant in understanding the political and social challenges faced by the Jewish community during the post-exilic period.

Biblical References:

Geshem is primarily mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah. In Nehemiah 2:19 , it is recorded: "But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked and despised us, saying, 'What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?'" This verse highlights Geshem's role as one of the key adversaries to Nehemiah's mission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.

Further opposition is noted in Nehemiah 6:1-2 : "When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gap was left in it (though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: 'Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.' But they were planning to harm me." This passage illustrates the persistent efforts of Geshem and his allies to thwart Nehemiah's work through deceit and potential violence.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Geshem's identity as an Arab leader suggests he was part of the broader coalition of regional powers that felt threatened by the re-establishment of a fortified Jerusalem. The Arabs, along with the Samaritans, Ammonites, and others, had vested interests in maintaining the status quo, which allowed them to exert influence over the region. Geshem's involvement indicates the geopolitical complexities of the time, as various groups sought to maintain their power and control in the face of Persian imperial policies that favored the restoration of Jerusalem.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, Geshem's opposition to Nehemiah can be seen as part of the broader narrative of resistance against God's plans for His people. The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls was not merely a physical construction project but a symbol of the restoration of the Jewish community and their covenant relationship with God. Geshem's actions, therefore, represent the spiritual and physical challenges that God's people often face when seeking to fulfill divine purposes.

Lessons and Applications:

The account of Geshem serves as a reminder of the persistent opposition that can arise when undertaking God's work. It underscores the importance of discernment, prayer, and steadfastness in the face of adversity. Nehemiah's response to Geshem and his allies—through prayer, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment—provides a model for believers in how to handle opposition and remain faithful to God's calling.

In summary, Geshem's role in the Book of Nehemiah highlights the external challenges faced by the Jewish community during the rebuilding of Jerusalem. His opposition is emblematic of the broader resistance to God's redemptive plans, offering valuable insights into the nature of spiritual warfare and the necessity of perseverance in the faith.Geshem

and Gashmu (rain), an Arabian, mentioned in (Nehemiah 2:19) and Nehe 6:1,2,6 (B.C. 446.) We may conclude that he was an inhabitant of Arabia Petraea or of the Arabian desert, and probably the chief of a tribe." Gashum said it" made him a type of those who create a common report.

Or Gashmu, firmness, probably chief of the Arabs south of Palestine, one of the enemies of the Jews after the return from Babylon (Nehemiah 2:19; 6:1, 2). He united with Sanballat and Tobiah in opposing the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. GESHEM

ge'-shem (geshem, gashmu; Gesam, "rain storm"): An Arabian, probably chief of an Arabian tribe that had either settled in Southern Palestine during the exile in Babylon, or had been settled in or near Samaria by Sargon (Nehemiah 2:19; Nehemiah 6:1, 2, 6). He was a confederate of Sanballat and Tobiah, and strenuously opposed the building of the wall under Nehemiah. He with the others mocked at the first efforts to build the wall, and afterward repeatedly sought to entice Nehemiah to the plains of Ono. The name also occurs in the form Gashmu, perhaps an Assyrian form of the same name Geshem.

J. J. Reeve

1654. Geshem -- an opponent of Nehemiah
Geshem or Gashmu. 1653, 1654. Geshem or Gashmu. 1655 . an opponent of
Nehemiah. Transliteration: Geshem or Gashmu Phonetic Spelling ...
/hebrew/1654.htm - 6k

1655. geshem -- the body
... 1654, 1655. geshem. 1656 . the body. Transliteration: geshem Phonetic
Spelling: (gheh'-shem) Short Definition: body. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/1655.htm - 6k

1653. geshem -- rain, shower
... 1652, 1653. geshem. 1654 . rain, shower. Transliteration: geshem Phonetic Spelling:
(gheh'-shem) Short Definition: rain. ... 1652, 1653. geshem. 1654 . ...
/hebrew/1653.htm - 6k

1656. goshem -- rained upon
... rained upon From gasham; equivalent to geshem -- rained upon. see HEBREW gasham.
see HEBREW geshem. 1655, 1656. goshem. 1657 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1656.htm - 6k

1652. gasham -- to rain
... Definition: rain. Word Origin denominative verb from geshem Definition to rain
NASB Word Usage give rain (1), rained (1). cause to rain. A ...
/hebrew/1652.htm - 6k

The Builders on the Wall
... Foremost in this evil work were certain chiefs of these tribes, Sanballat
the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 53 the builders on.htm

The Prophet Nehemiah
... "When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the
Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/iv the prophet nehemiah.htm

Canaan
... In a later age the "Arabs" who, according to the inscriptions of Sennacherib, formed
the body-guard of Hezekiah were probably Bedawin, and Geshem the Arabian ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Christian Devotedness, Etc.
... It would at least elevate the church from the disgraceful position in which she
now stands, striking hands with Geshem and Sanballat, to raise up the walls of ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/christian devotedness etc.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9. <. ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Geshem (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GESHEM. ... The name also occurs in the form Gashmu,
perhaps an Assyrian form of the same name Geshem. JJ Reeve. ...
/g/geshem.htm - 9k

Sanballat (10 Occurrences)
... He is named along with Tobiah, the Ammonite slave (Nehemiah 4:1), and Geshem the
Arabian (Nehemiah 6:1) as the leading opponent of the Jews at the time when ...
/s/sanballat.htm - 14k

Sanbal'lat (10 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite,
and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us ...
/s/sanbal'lat.htm - 9k

Tobijah (17 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:19 And Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobijah the servant, the Ammonite,
and Geshem the Arabian, heard it; and they mocked us and despised us, and said ...
/t/tobijah.htm - 12k

Tobiah (14 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite,
and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us, and despised us, and ...
/t/tobiah.htm - 13k

Tobi'ah (15 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite,
and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us ...
/t/tobi'ah.htm - 10k

Rain (118 Occurrences)
... 16:15). (3.) Geshem, the winter rain, "the rains." The heavy winter rain
is mentioned in Genesis 7:12; Ezra 10:9; Cant. 2:11. The ...
/r/rain.htm - 43k

Arabian (5 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite,
and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us, and despised us, and ...
/a/arabian.htm - 8k

Arab (5 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite,
and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us, and despised us, and ...
/a/arab.htm - 8k

Geshur (11 Occurrences)

/g/geshur.htm - 13k

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