Lexical Definition

‎טוֹבִיָּה‎ Ṭôwbîyâh (to-bee-yaw') Tobijah ^N:N-M-P
or טוֹבִיָּהוּ Ṭôwbîyâhûw (tobee-yaw'-hoo); from ‎טוֹב‎ and ‎יָהּ‎; goodness of Jehovah

Tobiah, Tobijah.

• § Tobiah = "Jehovah is good"
• Tobijah, the name of three Israelites and of one Samaritan

1) head of a family who returned from exile with Zerubbabel but who were unable to prove their connection with Israel
2) the Ammonite who with Sanballat opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem
3) a Levite in the reign of Jehoshaphat
4) a chief of the returning exiles

Extended Information

• A man of the Ammonites living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Neh.2.10 married to daughter_of_Shecaniah (שְׁכַנְיָה)
• father of: Jehohanan (יְהוֹחָנָן)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎טוֺבִיָּ֫הוּ‎, ‎טוֺבִיָּה‎ proper name, masculine (Yah(u) is my good) —

1. ‎טוֺבִיָּהוּ‎ a Levite, assigned to reign of Jehoshaphat 2Chr 17:8, not ᵐ5; ᵐ5^L Τωβιας, elsewhere ‎טוֺבִיָּה‎ ᵐ5 Τωβια(ς).

2. Ammonite adversary of Nehem. Neh 2:10; Neh 2:19; Neh 3:35*; Neh 4:1*; Neh 6:1; Neh 6:12; Neh 6:14; Neh 6:17 (twice in verse); Neh 6:19; Neh 13:4; Neh 13:7; Neh 13:8.

3. head of a family of returning exiles of doubtful lineage Ezra 2:60 = Neh 7:62.

4. a chief of returning exiles Zech 6:10; Zech 6:14, ᵐ5 χρησίμων(‐μοις)αὐτῆς, i.e. ‎טוֺבֶיהָ‎.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • Nehmiah's opponent • Ammonite official who opposed Nehemiah's rebuilding efforts

Nehemiah's adversary living at the time of Exile and Return

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

• Nehemiah's adversary of the Ammonites living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Neh.2.10;
• only referred to as Tobiah טוֹבִיָּה;
• husband of daughter_of_Shecaniah שְׁכַנְיָה;
• father of Jehohanan יְהוֹחָנָן.

Tobiah, described as an Ammonite official, was one of the main opponents of Nehemiah during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 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 (Nehemiah 6:17-19). He even had a room in the temple courts, which Nehemiah later cleared out (Nehemiah 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.

All entries for Tobiah: טוֹבִיָּה

Related Profiles:

• daughter_of_Shecaniah (spouse)
• Jehohanan (child)