Geshem גֶּ֫שֶׁם
Arab opponent of Nehemiah; tried to hinder wall rebuilding.
Who is Geshem in the Bible?
Geshem the Arab was a prominent opponent of Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem around the 5th century BC, as recorded in the book of Nehemiah. Along with Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite, Geshem mocked Nehemiah's initial plans to reconstruct the city walls (Neh. 2:19) and later conspired to hinder the construction through intimidation and deception. When the wall building was underway, Geshem and his allies repeatedly invited Nehemiah to meet them in the plain of Ono with the intention to harm him, and they also spread false rumors claiming that Nehemiah was rebelling against the Persian king and seeking kingship for himself (Neh. 6:1-2, 6:6). Geshem's opposition demonstrates the external resistance that faithful leaders often face when undertaking God's work, while Nehemiah's steadfast refusal to be discouraged exemplifies the importance of remaining focused on one's God-given mission despite opposition.
Biography
Geshem the Arab is mentioned in the book of Nehemiah as one of the main opponents of Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in the 5th century BC. Geshem, along with Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite, mocked and ridiculed Nehemiah when they learned of his intention to rebuild the city walls (Neh.2.19). Later, when the wall was being built, Geshem and his allies conspired to harm Nehemiah and hinder the work. They invited Nehemiah to meet with them in the plain of Ono, but Nehemiah perceived that they intended to do him harm and declined their invitation (Neh.6.1-2). Geshem and his associates also spread rumors accusing Nehemiah of rebelling against the Persian king and aspiring to become king himself (Neh.6.6-7). Despite these attempts to intimidate and discourage him, Nehemiah remained focused on his mission and relied on God's protection and guidance. The opposition from Geshem and his allies highlights the political and social challenges faced by the Jewish community as they sought to reestablish themselves in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentNehemiah 4 verses
- Nehemiah 2:19
"But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”"
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 6:1
"When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates—"
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 6:2
"Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me."
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 6:6
"that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king,"
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | גֶּ֫שֶׁם |
Geshem
(Ne 2:19; 6:1,2,6). He was a confederate of Sanballat and Tobiah, and strenuously opposed the building of the wall under Nehemiah. He with the others mocked at the first efforts to build the wall, and afterward repeatedly sought to entice Nehemiah to the plains of Ono. The name also occurs in the form Gashmu, perhaps an Assyrian form of the same name Geshem.
J. J. Reeve
ge'-shur (geshur, "bridge"): An Aramean kingdom (2Sa 15:8) of no great size which lay probably to the South of Maacah, and formed with it the western boundary of the land of Bashan