Geshem was an Arab leader who, together with Sanballat and Tobiah, opposed Nehemiah and the Jews in their rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. He represented the Arab resistance to the Jewish restoration after the exile and tried to stop the work through threats, mockery, and intrigue.
Événements clés
Mocks the rebuilding project
Geshem joined Sanballat and Tobiah in mocking the Jews and accusing them of rebellion against the Persian king when they began to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they said. "Are you rebelling against the king?"
Geshem and his allies sent word to Nehemiah, claiming it was reported that the Jews were planning a rebellion and that Nehemiah intended to make himself king.
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.
6In it was written: "It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it too—that you and the Jews are planning to revolt, and that this is why you are building the wall. They say you intend to make yourself their king,
7and that you have even set up prophets to proclaim about you in Jerusalem, 'There is a king in Judah!' Now this report will reach the king. So come, let us confer together."
Geshem took part in planning to lure Nehemiah to a meeting on the plain of Ono with the intent to harm him. Nehemiah saw through the plan and refused to come.
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.
Despite repeated attempts to stop the work through threats and intrigues, the Jews completed the wall in just 52 days, and Geshem's opposition was futile.
16When all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid, and their confidence sank low, for they knew that this work had been accomplished by our God.