Who Was Tobiah the Ammonite?
But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?"
Key Facts
Term Name
Tobiah the Ammonite
Role
Adversary of God’s People
Born
Unknown
Died
Unknown
Key Takeaways
- Tobiah the Ammonite opposed Nehemiah’s mission to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.
- He collaborated with Sanballat to undermine God’s work through mockery and deception.
- His actions highlight spiritual warfare and the need for faith in God’s restoration.
Who Was Tobiah the Ammonite?
Tobiah the Ammonite emerges as a key antagonist in Nehemiah 2:19, where he mocks and opposes the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls alongside Sanballat the Horonite.
In Nehemiah 2:19, Tobiah taunts Nehemiah, claiming the Israelites will not survive the project, reflecting his active hostility toward God’s people. His Ammonite identity—rooted in a longstanding historical enmity with Israel (cf. 2 Samuel 10:1–7)—underscores his role as an outsider seeking to undermine divine restoration. This collaboration with other regional adversaries highlights the multifaceted threats to Nehemiah’s mission.
Tobiah’s Ammonite background also reveals the geopolitical tensions of the post-exilic period, as Ammonites were often viewed as adversaries of Israel. His persistent schemes, including sending letters to discourage the builders (Nehemiah 6:18), further illustrate his significance in challenging God’s work through Nehemiah.
Tobiah’s Opposition in Nehemiah 2:19
In Nehemiah 2:19, Tobiah the Ammonite directly mocks Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, claiming the Israelites will perish in the attempt.
Tobiah’s taunt—'What these feeble Jews are doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubble?'—reflects both scorn and a calculated threat to undermine morale. His words, delivered in the presence of other adversaries, align him with regional enemies like Sanballat the Horonite, illustrating a coordinated opposition to Nehemiah’s mission. This hostility stems from Ammonite-Israelite tensions rooted in Israel’s history (e.g., 2 Samuel 10:1–7), framing Tobiah’s actions as part of a longstanding enmity. By challenging Nehemiah’s authority and divine mandate, Tobiah symbolizes the external pressures threatening God’s restoration of His people.
What We Can Learn From Tobiah the Ammonite?
Tobiah’s persistent opposition to God’s work through Nehemiah reveals the nature of spiritual adversaries who seek to undermine divine restoration.
Tobiah’s mockery in Nehemiah 2:19 and his later schemes in Nehemiah 6:18—such as sending deceptive letters—demonstrate how enemies attack God’s plans through doubt, deception, and discouragement. His actions warn believers to remain vigilant against both overt hostility and subtle temptations to abandon faithfulness. Yet Nehemiah’s response—relying on prayer, discernment, and unwavering trust in God—models courage and dependence on divine strength in the face of opposition.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Nehemiah 2:19
Tobiah mocks Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.
Nehemiah 6:18
Tobiah sends letters to discourage the builders of Jerusalem’s walls.
2 Samuel 10:1–7
Historical context of Ammonite-Israelite tensions, relevant to Tobiah’s role.
Related Concepts
Sanballat the Horonite (Figures)
Tobiah’s ally in opposing Nehemiah’s rebuilding efforts.
Rebuilding of Jerusalem’s Walls (Events)
Nehemiah’s mission to restore Jerusalem’s defenses, opposed by Tobiah.
Spiritual Warfare (Theological Concepts)
The battle against unseen forces of evil, exemplified by Tobiah’s opposition.