Nehemiah 6:18 For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.

◄ Nehemiah 6:18 ►

New International Version
For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to Shekaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah.

New Living Translation
For many in Judah had sworn allegiance to him because his father-in-law was Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan was married to the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah.

English Standard Version
For many in Judah were bound by oath 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 his wife.

Berean Standard Bible
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
For many in Judah were pledged to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

New American Standard Bible
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

NASB 1995
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

NASB 1977
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

Legacy Standard Bible
For many in Judah were sworn by oath 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 a wife.

Amplified Bible
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

Christian Standard Bible
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.

American Standard Version
For 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.

Contemporary English Version
Many people in Judah were loyal to Tobiah for two reasons: Shecaniah son of Arah was his father-in-law, and Tobiah's son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.

English Revised Version
For 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Many in Judah had promised to support Tobiah because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah, Arah's son. In addition, Tobiah's son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam, Berechiah's son.

Good News Translation
Many people in Judah were on his side because of his Jewish father-in-law, Shecaniah son of Arah. In addition, his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.

International Standard Version
For many Judeans had sworn allegiance to him, since he was son-in-law to Arah's son Shecaniah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Berechiah's son Meshullam.

Majority Standard Bible
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.

NET Bible
For many in Judah had sworn allegiance to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah. His son Jonathan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
For there were many in Judah sworn to 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.

World English Bible
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.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
for many in Judah are sworn to him, for he [is] son-in-law to Shechaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan has taken the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah;

Young's Literal Translation
for many in Judah are sworn to him, for he is son-in-law to Shechaniah son of Arah, and Jehohanan his son hath taken the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah;

Smith's Literal Translation
For many in Judah being married by oath to him for he was son-in-law to Shechaniah son of Arah; and Johanan his son took the daughter of Meshullam, son of Berechiah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For there were many in Judea who had sworn an oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah, the son of Arah, and because Jehohanan, his son, had married the daughter of Meshullam, the son of Berechiah.

New American Bible
for many in Judah were in league with him, since he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah, son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam, son of Berechiah.

New Revised Standard Version
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For there were many in Judah who had sworn to him that they would not harm 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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For many men were in Yehuda who had sworn to him that they would not harm him, because he was son in law of Shekania, son of Arakh, and Yokhanan, his son, had taken the daughter of Meshlum, son of Barachiah.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
For 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For many in Juda were bound to him by oath, because he was son-in-law of Sechenias the son of Herae; and Jonan his son had taken the daughter of Mesulam the son of Barachia to wife.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Completion of the Wall
…17Also in those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came back to them. 18For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah. 19Moreover, these nobles kept reporting to me Tobiah’s good deeds, and they relayed my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Ezra 10:18-19
Among the descendants of the priests who had married foreign women were found these descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. / They pledged to send their wives away, and for their guilt they presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering.

Nehemiah 13:28
Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me.

1 Kings 11:1-2
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.

Ezra 9:1-2
After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. / Indeed, the Israelites have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has been mixed with the people of the land. And the leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!”

Nehemiah 13:23-27
In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. / Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah. / I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! ...

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ...

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.

1 Corinthians 5:9-11
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. / I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. / But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

Malachi 2:11
Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Joshua 23:12-13
For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them, / know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Judges 3:5-6
Thus the Israelites continued to live among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And they took the daughters of these people in marriage, gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

Matthew 10:36
A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

2 Kings 23:13
The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which King Solomon of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

Treasury of Scripture

For there were many in Judah sworn to 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.

Arah

Nehemiah 7:10
The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.

Ezra 2:5
The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.

Meshullam

Nehemiah 3:4,30
And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana…

Jump to Previous

Agreement Arah Berechiah Berechi'ah Berekiah Bound Daughter Jehohanan Jehoha'nan Johanan Judah Law Married Meshullam Meshul'lam Oath Shecaniah Shecani'ah Shechaniah Son-In-Law Sworn Wife

Jump to Next

Agreement Arah Berechiah Berechi'ah Berekiah Bound Daughter Jehohanan Jehoha'nan Johanan Judah Law Married Meshullam Meshul'lam Oath Shecaniah Shecani'ah Shechaniah Son-In-Law Sworn Wife

Nehemiah 6

1. Sanballat practices by craft, by rumors, and by hired prophecies, to terrify Nehemiah
15. The work is finished, to the terror of the enemies
17. Secret intelligence passes between the enemies and the nobles of Judah

Berean Study Bible

For many in Judah
This phrase highlights the widespread influence and connections that existed within the community of Judah. Historically, Judah was the southern kingdom of Israel, and its people were known for their strong tribal and familial ties. The mention of "many" suggests a significant portion of the population, indicating that the alliances and relationships described were not isolated but rather pervasive. This reflects the complex social and political networks that were common in ancient Israelite society.

were bound by oath to him
The concept of being "bound by oath" underscores the seriousness and solemnity of the commitments made. In ancient Hebrew culture, oaths were sacred and binding, often invoking the name of God as a witness. This phrase suggests a formal and possibly legal agreement, indicating that these alliances were not merely casual but carried significant weight and obligation. The use of oaths in this context reveals the deep intertwining of personal, familial, and political relationships in the governance and social structure of Judah.

since he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah
This part of the verse provides insight into the familial connections that played a crucial role in the political landscape of the time. Being a "son-in-law" implies a marriage alliance, which was a common practice to strengthen ties between families and clans. Shecaniah and Arah are mentioned to establish the lineage and legitimacy of these connections. In the ancient Near East, family lineage was a critical factor in determining one's social and political standing, and this relationship would have been significant in the context of Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem and its community.

and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah
This phrase continues to elaborate on the network of alliances through marriage. Jehohanan's marriage to Meshullam's daughter further cements the interconnectedness of influential families. Meshullam and Berechiah are names that appear elsewhere in the book of Nehemiah, indicating their involvement in the rebuilding efforts and the community's leadership. These marriages were strategic, serving to unify and stabilize the community by linking prominent families together, which was essential for the success of Nehemiah's mission to restore Jerusalem.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18) Sworn unto him.--Shechaniah was of the family of Arah, which had come over with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:5). Tobiah had married his daughter, and Tobiah's son had married a daughter of Meshullam, one of the builders of the wall (Nehemiah 3:4; Nehemiah 3:30). This family connection led to a conspiracy by oath to thwart the governor. The names of Tobiah and his son are Hebrew; and it is probable that, though naturalised Ammonites, they were of Hebrew extraction. This renders it easier to understand the facility with which the affinity was contracted.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18. - He was the son-in-law of Shechaniah. Rather, "related by marriage to Shechaniah"- perhaps, but not certainly, by having married his daughter. Son of Arah. Member, i.e., of the family, called the Beni-Arah, which had returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:5; Nehemiah 7:10). Meshullam the son of Berechiah is mentioned in ch. 3. as repairing two portions of the wall (vers. 4, 30).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

For
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

many
רַבִּ֣ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

in Judah
בִּֽיהוּדָ֗ה (bî·hū·ḏāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

were bound
בַּעֲלֵ֤י (ba·‘ă·lê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner

by oath
שְׁבוּעָה֙ (šə·ḇū·‘āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7621: Something sworn, an oath

to him,
ל֔וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

since
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was a son-in-law
חָתָ֥ן (ḥā·ṯān)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2860: A relative by marriage, a circumcised child

of Shecaniah
לִשְׁכַנְיָ֣ה (liš·ḵan·yāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7935: Shecaniah -- 'Yah has taken up His abode', the name of several Israelites

son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Arah,
אָרַ֑ח (’ā·raḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 733: Arah -- perhaps 'traveler', an Israelite name

and his son
בְּנ֔וֹ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Jehohanan
וִֽיהוֹחָנָ֣ן (wî·hō·w·ḥā·nān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3076: Johanan -- 'the LORD has been gracious', the name of a number of Israelites

had married
לָקַ֕ח (lā·qaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

the daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Meshullam
מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם (mə·šul·lām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4918: Meshullam -- the name of a number of Israelites

son
בֶּ֥ן (ben)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Berechiah.
בֶּֽרֶכְיָֽה׃ (be·reḵ·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1296: Berechiah -- 'Yah blesses', the name of several Israelites

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OT History: Nehemiah 6:18 For there were many in Judah sworn (Neh Ne)