Nehemiah 6:18

18 For many men were in Judah, that had his oath, that is, (who) were sworn to him; for he had wedded the daughter of Shechaniah, the son of Arah; and Johanan, his son, had taken the daughter of Meshullam, the son of Berechiah.

Nehemiah 6:18 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 6:18

For there were many in Judah sworn unto him
To Tobiah, who not only in a private manner corresponded with him by letters, but bound themselves by an oath to him to be true to his interest, and do as he should advise them:

because he was the son in law of Shechaniah, the son of Arah;
of a family that came up with Zerubbabel from the captivity, ( Ezra 2:5 ) and very probably of considerable note:

and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of
Berechiah;
a very eminent person, concerned in building the wall, ( Nehemiah 3:4 Nehemiah 3:30 ) .

Nehemiah 6:18 In-Context

16 And it was done, when all our enemies had heard, that all [the] heathen men dreaded us, that were in our compass, and they felled down within themselves, and they knew then, that this work was made of God. (And it was done, when all our enemies had heard of this, then all the heathen, who were all around us, feared us, and they fell down within themselves, for they knew then, that this work was done with God's help.)

17 But also in those days many letters of the principal men of (the) Jews were sent to Tobiah, and came from Tobiah to them. (And also in those days many letters were sent from the leaders of the Jews to Tobiah, and came from Tobiah to them.)

18 For many men were in Judah, that had his oath, that is, (who) were sworn to him; for he had wedded the daughter of Shechaniah, the son of Arah; and Johanan, his son, had taken the daughter of Meshullam, the son of Berechiah.

19 But also they praised him before me, and told my words to him; and Tobiah sent letters, to make me afeared. (And so they praised him in front of me, and told him all my words, or what I had said; and Tobiah also sent letters to me, to make me afraid.)