Tobijah
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Tobijah in the Bible?
The name Tobijah identifies at least two distinct figures in biblical texts: a Levite official under King Jehoshaphat and a prominent Ammonite official who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls during the time of Nehemiah.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the distinction between the Levite Tobijah and the Ammonite official Tobijah clarifies the narrative tension in the book of Nehemiah, where the latter's opposition serves as a historical marker for the political and social challenges faced by the returning exiles in restoring Jerusalem's fortifications.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Tobijah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Tobijah clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.