Tobiah

Tobiah was an Ammonite official who, along with Sanballat the Horonite, opposed Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Tobiah, described as an Ammonite official, was one of the main opponents of Nehemiah during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem (Neh.2.10, 19; 4.3, 7; 6.1, 12, 14, 17, 19; 13.4, 7, 8). Along with Sanballat the Horonite and Geshem the Arab, Tobiah mocked and threatened Nehemiah and the Jews, trying to discourage and intimidate them from completing the work. Tobiah had close ties with some of the Jewish nobles, who kept him informed about Nehemiah's activities (Neh 6:17-19). He even had a room in the temple courts, which Nehemiah later cleared out (Neh 13:4-8). Despite the opposition and threats, Nehemiah persevered in rebuilding the walls, trusting in God's protection and strength. Tobiah's actions demonstrate the political and social challenges faced by Nehemiah in his efforts to restore Jerusalem and reform the Jewish community.

Pleasing to Jehovah, the “servant,” the “Ammonite,” who joined with those who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Exile (Neh. 2:10). He was a man of great influence, which he exerted in opposition to the Jews, and “sent letters” to Nehemiah “to put him in fear” (Neh. 6:17-19). “Eliashib the priest” prepared for him during Nehemiah’s absence “a chamber in the courts of the house of God,” which on his return grieved Nehemiah sore, and therefore he “cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber” (13:7, 8).