Arah אָרַח
Father-in-law of Tobiah the Ammonite
Who is Arah in the Bible?
Arah was a figure mentioned in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah whose family connections played a significant role in Jerusalem's political landscape during the post-exile period. He was the father-in-law of Tobiah the Ammonite, an opponent of Nehemiah's reconstruction efforts, through his daughter's marriage to Shechaniah (Nehemiah 6:18). Arah's name appears in the list of those who returned from exile in Babylon (Ezra 2:5, Nehemiah 7:10), indicating his prominence among the Jewish community. However, his family ties to Tobiah created complicated alliances among Jerusalem's nobility that hindered Nehemiah's ability to rebuild the city's walls and maintain its independence from external interference.
Biography
Arah is mentioned in Neh.6.18 as the father-in-law of Tobiah the Ammonite, who opposed Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Arah's daughter was married to a man named Shechaniah, and this marriage alliance created a connection between Tobiah and some of the Jewish nobles. This relationship complicated Nehemiah's efforts to restore and protect Jerusalem, as Tobiah used his influence to undermine Nehemiah's authority.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 2:5
"the descendants of Arah, 775;"
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:10
"the descendants of Arah, 652;"
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אָרַח |