Tobiah was an Ammonite official who, together with Sanballat, actively opposed Nehemiah's work to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He used threats, mockery, and political intrigue to hinder the Jews' restoration efforts and had close ties to certain Jewish families through marriage.
1When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that not a single gap was left in it—though at that time I had not yet set the doors in the gates—
2Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: "Come, let us meet together at Hakkephirim^ in the plain of Ono." But they were plotting to do me harm.
^ Or "in one of the villages"; the Hebrew word can be read either as a place name or as a common noun.
3So I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?"
18for many in Judah were bound to him by oath, 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.
5had provided him with a large room where they had formerly stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, new wine, and oil prescribed for the Levites, the singers, and the gatekeepers, along with the contributions for the priests.
9Then I gave orders, and they purified the rooms; and I brought back there the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.