Nehemiah 6:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 6:15-19

Nehemiah is here finishing the wall of Jerusalem, and yet still has trouble created him by his enemies. I. Tobiah, and the other adversaries of the Jews, had the mortification to see the wall built up, notwithstanding all their attempts to hinder it. The wall was begun and finished in fifty-two days, and yet we have reason to believe they rested on the sabbaths, Neh. 6:15. Many were employed, and there was room for them; what they did they did cheerfully, and minded their business because they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 6:18

For there were many in Judah sworn unto him ,.... To Tobiah, who not only in a private manner corresponded with him by letters, but bound themselves by an oath to him to be true to his interest, and do as he should advise them: because he was the son in law of Shechaniah, the son of Arah ; of a family that came up with Zerubbabel from the captivity, Ezra 2:5 and very probably of considerable note: and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah ; a very... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 6:18

He was the son-in-law of Shechaniah - Previously to the coming of Nehemiah, the Jews seemed to be fast intermixing with the heathen, by intermarriages with Ashdodites, Ammonites, and Moabites; see Nehemiah 13:23 . Ezra had many evils of this kind to redress, ( Ezra 9:3 , etc.), chiefly among the common people, though there were both chiefs and priests in that trespass. But here we find the heathen and Jewish nobles interlinked; and the latter were so far imbued with the spirit... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-19

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:10-19

Enemies within. I. FALSE PROPHETS . Who prostituted their office by hiring themselves to the enemies without. For they "loved the wages of unrighteousness." 1. One tempted him to break the law by fleeing into the holy place, and shutting himself up there, where no one but a priest or Levite might enter. This he did on the pretence that Nehemiah's life was in danger (verse 10); and he hoped that the governor, consenting to the proposal, would bring himself into disgrace with the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:10-19

Trial and victory. Defeated again, the enemy has recourse to other schemes. It would be interesting to know what were the expectations with which Nehemiah set out from Susa to enter upon the work before him. If we could tell what was then in his mind, we should probably find there anticipations very unlike indeed to his actual experiences. Probably, if he could have foreseen his difficulties, he might have shrunk from the task. Happily we do not foresee the perplexities of Christian toil;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:15-19

The good work finished in spite of man by the power of God. I. A great MANIFESTATION OF DIVINE POWER is a great casting down of God's enemies. 1. There is real weakness in all sin. "In their own eyes" defeat meant shame and confusion; but the true heart never doubts that its cause is right, even when success is delayed. 2. The world will perceive God ' s hand. When the finished work is before them they will not dare to deny who has accomplished it. Therefore we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:18

He was the son-in-law of Shechaniah . Rather, "related by marriage to Shechaniah"—perhaps, but not certainly, by having married his daughter. Son of Arah . Member, i.e; of the family, called the Beni-Arah, which had returned with Zerubbabel ( Ezra 2:5 ; Nehemiah 7:10 ). Meshullam the son of Berechiah is mentioned in Nehemiah 3:1-32 . as repairing two portions of the wall ( Nehemiah 3:4 , Nehemiah 3:30 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 6:18

Though Tobiah is called “the servant” or “slave” Nehemiah 2:10, Nehemiah 2:19, and was perhaps a bought slave of Sanballat’s, yet he was in such a position that Jewish nobles readily contracted affinity with him. This is quite in harmony with the practice of the East, where slaves often fill high positions and make great marriages. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 6:17-18

Nehemiah 6:17-18. The nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah Corresponding with him against Nehemiah, and against their own city and nation. So that, added to all the other wickedness of this people, there were false brethren among their great men, who favoured, aided, and abetted the designs of their enemies, Nehemiah 6:18. There were many in Judah sworn unto him To be true to him in the prosecution of his wicked designs. Because his son had taken the daughter of Meshullam This... read more

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