Nehemiah 6:18 - For there were many in Judah sworn to 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 as wife.
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What does "Nehemiah 6:18" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 6:18 describes a network of alliances and obligations formed through marriage in Judah, specifically related to a man who was plotting against Nehemiah. Let's break it down:
"For there were many in Judah sworn to him...": This indicates that this man (likely Tobiah, a recurring antagonist in Nehemiah) had significant support and loyalty among the people of Judah. This loyalty wasn't necessarily based on his character, but rather on the connections described in the rest of the verse.
"...because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah...": This means Tobiah was married to the daughter of Shecaniah. This marriage created a family tie and, in that society, a bond of obligation. Shecaniah and his lineage likely had influence and power in Judah, and by marrying into that family, Tobiah gained access to that network.
"...and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as wife.": Tobiah's son, Jehohanan, further solidified these alliances by marrying the daughter of Meshullam. Meshullam was likely another influential figure in Judah, and this marriage created another layer of familial connection and obligation between Tobiah's family and important people in the community.
In summary, this verse explains that Tobiah held power and influence in Judah not necessarily through his own merits, but because he had strategically formed alliances through marriage. These marriage alliances created a web of loyalties and obligations that served Tobiah's purposes, allowing him to undermine Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem.
The significance lies in:
Undermining Nehemiah: Tobiah and his allies were actively working against Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore the Jewish community. These familial connections allowed them to exert influence and spread dissent.
Complexity of Social Dynamics: The verse highlights the intricate web of social relationships and the importance of family and marriage in ancient Jewish society. These connections could be used for both good and bad purposes.
Internal Opposition: Nehemiah faced not only external threats but also internal opposition from within the Jewish community. This verse illustrates how this internal opposition was fueled by personal connections and obligations.
Nehemiah 6:18 - For there were many in Judah sworn to 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 as wife.
What does "Nehemiah 6:18" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 6:18 describes a network of alliances and obligations formed through marriage in Judah, specifically related to a man who was plotting against Nehemiah. Let's break it down:
"For there were many in Judah sworn to him...": This indicates that this man (likely Tobiah, a recurring antagonist in Nehemiah) had significant support and loyalty among the people of Judah. This loyalty wasn't necessarily based on his character, but rather on the connections described in the rest of the verse.
"...because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah...": This means Tobiah was married to the daughter of Shecaniah. This marriage created a family tie and, in that society, a bond of obligation. Shecaniah and his lineage likely had influence and power in Judah, and by marrying into that family, Tobiah gained access to that network.
"...and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as wife.": Tobiah's son, Jehohanan, further solidified these alliances by marrying the daughter of Meshullam. Meshullam was likely another influential figure in Judah, and this marriage created another layer of familial connection and obligation between Tobiah's family and important people in the community.
In summary, this verse explains that Tobiah held power and influence in Judah not necessarily through his own merits, but because he had strategically formed alliances through marriage. These marriage alliances created a web of loyalties and obligations that served Tobiah's purposes, allowing him to undermine Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem.
The significance lies in:
Undermining Nehemiah: Tobiah and his allies were actively working against Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore the Jewish community. These familial connections allowed them to exert influence and spread dissent.
Complexity of Social Dynamics: The verse highlights the intricate web of social relationships and the importance of family and marriage in ancient Jewish society. These connections could be used for both good and bad purposes.
Internal Opposition: Nehemiah faced not only external threats but also internal opposition from within the Jewish community. This verse illustrates how this internal opposition was fueled by personal connections and obligations.