Neh 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, Ezr 2:5 and very probably of considerable note: and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah; a very eminent person, concerned in building the wall, Neh 3:4.”

“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 Neh 13:23. Ezra had many evils of this kind to redress, (Ezr 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 of idolatry, that they forgot God, his service, their brethren, and their own souls.”

“Mosollam, one of the builders, chap. iii. 4. (Menochius) — These two powerful men had consequently acted contrary to the laws of God, and the covenant of Esdras, with respect to marriages. They might fear the resentment of the zealous governor. Dangers from false brethren, (2 Corinthians xi. 26.) wars without, and fears within, generally assail the servants of God. (Haydock) Bible Text & Cross-references: The enemies seek to terrify Nehemias. He proceedeth and finisheth the wall. 1 And *it came to pass, when Sanaballat, and Tobias, and Gossem, the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it (though at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates,) 2 Sanaballat and Gossem sent to me, saying: Come, and let us make a league together in the villages, in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying: I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down, lest it be neglected whilst I come, and go down to you. 4 And they sent to me according to this word, four times: and I answered them after the same manner. 5 And Sanaballat sent his servant to me the fifth time, according to the former word, and he had a letter in his hand, written in this manner: 6 It is reported amongst the Gentiles, and Gossem hath said it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel, and therefore thou buildest the wall, and hast a mind to set thyself king over them: for which end 7 Thou hast also set up prophets, to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying: There is a king in Judea. The king will hear of these things: therefore come now, that we may take counsel together. 8 And I sent to them, saying: There is no such thing done as thou sayest: but thou feignest these things out of thy own heart. 9 For all these men thought to frighten us, thinking that our hands would cease from the work, and that we would leave off. Wherefore I strengthened my hands the more: 10 And I went into the house of Samaia, the son of Dalaia, the son of Metabeel, privately. And he said: Let us consult together in the house of God in the midst of the temple: and let us shut the doors of the temple, for they will come to kill thee, and in the night they will come to slay thee. 11 And I said: Should such a man as I flee? and who is there that, being as I am, would go into the temple, to save his life? I will not go in. 12 And I understood that God had not sent him, but that he had spoken to me as if he had been prophesying, and Tobias, and Sanaballat, had hired him. 13 For he had taken money, that I, being afraid, should do this thing, and sin, and they might have some evil to upbraid me withal. 14 Remember me, O Lord, for Tobias and Sanaballat, according to their works of this kind: and Noadias, the prophet, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear. 15 But the wall was finished the five and twentieth day of the month of Elul, in two and fifty days. 16 And it came to pass, when all our enemies heard of it, that all nations which were round about us, were afraid, and were cast down within themselves, for they perceived that this work was the work of God. 17 Moreover, in those days, many letters were sent by the principal men of the Jews to Tobias; and from Tobias there came letters to them. 18 For there were many in Judea sworn to him, because he was the son-in-law of Sechenias, the son of Area, and Johanan, his son, had taken to wife the daughter of Mosollam, the son of Barachias. 19 And they praised him also before me, and they related my words to him: and Tobias sent letters to put me in fear.”