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 ) .