Nehemiah 6:18 Meaning and Explanation
“For 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Many in Judah were bound to Tobiah by oath through marriage alliances tying him into prominent families.
What Does Nehemiah 6:18 Mean?
The narrator explains why the nobles favored Tobiah. He was bound to Judah by marriage: himself the son-in-law of Shechaniah, and his son Johanan married to the daughter of Meshullam. Through these alliances many in Judah were under oath to him.
Loyalty secured by marriage and oath had quietly entangled God's people with an adversary of their work. What looks like ordinary family connection had become a chain of divided allegiance. The verse shows how relationships, good in themselves, can be turned into bonds that pull the heart away from wholehearted devotion, and why the people of God are called to weigh where their deepest loyalties truly lie.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 6:18
What does Nehemiah 6:18 mean?
Many in Judah were bound to Tobiah by oath through marriage alliances tying him into prominent families.