Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Tobi'ah, also spelled Tobiah, is a figure mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Nehemiah. He is known for his opposition to Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Tobi'ah is often associated with the Ammonites, a group historically in conflict with the Israelites. Biblical References: Tobi'ah is first introduced in the book of Nehemiah as an adversary to the Jewish people. He is described as an Ammonite official who, along with Sanballat the Horonite and Geshem the Arab, opposed Nehemiah's mission to restore Jerusalem's walls. Nehemiah 2:10 states, "When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites." Opposition to Nehemiah: Tobi'ah's opposition is further detailed in Nehemiah 4:3 , where he mocks the efforts of the builders: "Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, 'Even if a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!'" This ridicule was part of a broader campaign to discourage and intimidate the Jewish people from completing their work. Conspiracy and Intrigue: Tobi'ah's antagonism extended beyond mere mockery. He was involved in conspiracies to thwart Nehemiah's efforts. Nehemiah 6:17-19 reveals that Tobi'ah maintained correspondence with some of the nobles of Judah, leveraging familial ties and alliances to undermine Nehemiah's leadership: "Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah's letters came back to them. For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah." Influence and Intrusion: Tobi'ah's influence was significant enough that he managed to secure a room within the temple precincts, a place meant for storing offerings and sacred items. Nehemiah 13:4-5 recounts this intrusion: "Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who had been appointed over the chambers of the house of our God and who was related to Tobiah, had prepared for Tobiah a large room where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, and the tithes of grain, new wine, and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, along with the contributions for the priests." Nehemiah's Response: Nehemiah's response to Tobi'ah's intrusion was decisive. Upon discovering the misuse of the temple space, Nehemiah took immediate action to cleanse the area. Nehemiah 13:8-9 describes his actions: "And I was greatly displeased and threw all of Tobiah's household goods out of the room. Then I gave orders to purify the rooms, and I had the articles of the house of God restored there, along with the grain offerings and frankincense." Legacy and Lessons: Tobi'ah's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of external influence and internal compromise within the community of God's people. His actions highlight the persistent challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their identity and faithfulness amidst opposition. The narrative of Tobi'ah underscores the importance of vigilance, integrity, and the need for strong, godly leadership in the face of adversity. Concordance Tobi'ah's (1 Occurrence)Nehemiah 6:17 Thesaurus Tobi'ah's (1 Occurrence)Tobi'ah's. Tobiah's, Tobi'ah's. Tobias . Multi-Version Concordance Tobi'ah's (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 6:17 Moreover in those days ... /t/tobi'ah's.htm - 6k Tobias Tobiah's (2 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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