Nehemiah 6:18
What does Nehemiah 6:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 6:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 6:18 means
Many in Judah were sworn to Tobiah because of marriage alliances: Tobiah was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah. These ties created obligations and loyalties that cut across the community’s commitment to the work under Nehemiah. The verse names the connections to show how opposition can be embedded in social networks. Such bonds made it easier for Tobiah to gain sympathy and information inside Jerusalem, complicating Nehemiah’s efforts to protect and guide the people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah to wife.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah to wife.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For in Judah there were a number of people who had made an agreement by oath with him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah, the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken as his wife the daughter of Meshullam, the son of Berechiah.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for many in Judah are sworn to him, for he <FI>is<Fi> son-in-law to Shechaniah son of Arah, and Jehohanan his son hath taken the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For there were many in Judah sworn to him; for he was a son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
Context
This genealogical detail explains the flow of letters mentioned previously. Tobiah’s inroads were not only political; they were familial. With this background, the closing verse makes sense: nobles spoke well of Tobiah to Nehemiah while simultaneously reporting Nehemiah’s words back to Tobiah. The context prepares the reader to see that the challenge now is managing divided hearts and conflicting allegiances even after the wall stands strong.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 2:5
The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
- Nehemiah 3:4
And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
- Nehemiah 7:10
The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.
- Nehemiah 3:30
After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another portion. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
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