an Ammonite, an enemy to the Jews. He was one of those who
strenuously opposed the rebuilding of the temple, after the return from
the captivity of Babylon, Neh. ii, 10; iv, 3; v, 1, 12, 14. This Tobiah
is called “the servant,” or “slave,” in some parts of Nehemiah; probably
because he was of a servile condition. However, he was of great
consideration in the land of the Samaritans, of which he was governor
with Sanballat. This Tobiah married the daughter of Shechaniah, one of
the principal Jews of Jerusalem, Neh. vi, 18, and had a powerful party
in Jerusalem itself, who were opposed to that of Nehemiah. He maintained
a correspondence by letter with this party against the interest of
Nehemiah, vi, 17–19; but that prudent governor, by his wisdom and
moderation, defeated all their machinations. After some time, Nehemiah
was obliged to return to Babylon, subsequent to having repaired the
walls of Jerusalem. Tobiah took this opportunity to come and dwell at
Jerusalem; and even obtained of Eliashib, who had the care of the house
of the Lord, to have an apartment in the temple. But at Nehemiah’s
return from Babylon, some years after, he drove Tobiah out of the courts
of the temple, and threw his goods out of the holy place, Neh. xiii,
4–8. From this time the Scripture makes no farther mention of Tobiah. It
is probable he retired to Sanballat at Samaria.
strenuously opposed the rebuilding of the temple, after the return from
the captivity of Babylon, Neh. ii, 10; iv, 3; v, 1, 12, 14. This Tobiah
is called “the servant,” or “slave,” in some parts of Nehemiah; probably
because he was of a servile condition. However, he was of great
consideration in the land of the Samaritans, of which he was governor
with Sanballat. This Tobiah married the daughter of Shechaniah, one of
the principal Jews of Jerusalem, Neh. vi, 18, and had a powerful party
in Jerusalem itself, who were opposed to that of Nehemiah. He maintained
a correspondence by letter with this party against the interest of
Nehemiah, vi, 17–19; but that prudent governor, by his wisdom and
moderation, defeated all their machinations. After some time, Nehemiah
was obliged to return to Babylon, subsequent to having repaired the
walls of Jerusalem. Tobiah took this opportunity to come and dwell at
Jerusalem; and even obtained of Eliashib, who had the care of the house
of the Lord, to have an apartment in the temple. But at Nehemiah’s
return from Babylon, some years after, he drove Tobiah out of the courts
of the temple, and threw his goods out of the holy place, Neh. xiii,
4–8. From this time the Scripture makes no farther mention of Tobiah. It
is probable he retired to Sanballat at Samaria.