Shecaniah שְׁכַנְיָהוּ
Father-in-law of Tobiah the Ammonite
Who is Shecaniah in the Bible?
Shecaniah was a Jewish noble whose daughter married Tobiah the Ammonite, as recorded in Nehemiah 6:18. Tobiah was a fierce opponent of Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and his marriage connection to Shecaniah gave him valuable ties to the Judean nobility. Through this family relationship, Tobiah apparently gained influence among Jerusalem's leaders, which he used to undermine and obstruct Nehemiah's reconstruction project. Shecaniah's role in the narrative illustrates how personal family alliances sometimes conflicted with the broader mission to restore Jerusalem after the exile.
Biography
Shecaniah 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. Shecaniah's daughter was married to Tobiah, giving Tobiah a connection to some of the nobles of Judah. This family tie may have helped Tobiah gain influence to undermine Nehemiah's work.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentNehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 6:18
"For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁכַנְיָהוּ |