Daughter of Meshullam
Who was Daughter of Meshullam in the Bible?
A Jewish woman whose marriage to Jehohanan, son of Tobiah the Ammonite, served as a strategic political alliance during the reconstruction of Jerusalem.
The daughter of Meshullam is an unnamed historical figure mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah during the mid-5th century BC. She was the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah, a prominent leader and priest who assisted Nehemiah in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Her significance in the biblical narrative is primarily found in her marriage to Jehohanan, the son of Tobiah the Ammonite.
This marriage represented a complex web of social and political alliances that existed during the Post-Exilic Period. While Nehemiah sought to maintain strict separation between the returning exiles and the surrounding local powers, the daughter of Meshullam’s marriage illustrates the extent to which the Jewish nobility had integrated with regional figures, even those who were actively opposing Nehemiah’s leadership.
Background and Family
The daughter of Meshullam belonged to a distinguished family within the Judean community during the return from the Babylonian Exile. Her father, Meshullam son of Berechiah, was a man of considerable influence and commitment to the restoration of Jerusalem. The biblical record notes that Meshullam was one of the individuals who helped repair two separate sections of the Jerusalem wall (Nehemiah 3:4, 3:30). The fact that her father was a prominent builder indicates that she was raised within the upper echelons of the returning Jewish society.
Major Life Events
The only recorded event in the life of the daughter of Meshullam is her marriage to Jehohanan, the son of Tobiah the Ammonite. This union was not merely a private family matter but a significant political transaction. Tobiah was one of the primary antagonists to Nehemiah's mission, working alongside Sanballat the Horonite to discourage and sabotage the rebuilding of the city. By marrying Jehohanan, the daughter of Meshullam became a bridge between a loyal family of Jerusalem (the house of Meshullam) and the house of Tobiah.
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. (Nehemiah 6:18)
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Her marriage created a situation where the enemies of Nehemiah had intimate access to the internal affairs of the Judean leadership. Because of this marriage and similar alliances, Tobiah was able to maintain correspondence with the nobles of Judah. These nobles frequently praised Tobiah in Nehemiah’s presence and reported Nehemiah’s words back to Tobiah, creating a climate of suspicion and divided loyalty during a critical time of national reconstruction.
Spiritual Significance
Though her personal character is not described, the daughter of Meshullam serves as a historical example of the tensions regarding intermarriage in the Post-Exilic Period. Her existence highlights the conflict between Nehemiah’s vision of a holy, separated remnant and the reality of a nobility that sought security through regional diplomacy and marital alliances. She represents the "divided heart" of the community—simultaneously building the wall of God’s city through her father, while being joined to the enemies of that work through her husband.
The daughter of Meshullam is significant for illustrating the social and political complexities of the post-exilic community. Her marriage to the son of Tobiah the Ammonite demonstrates how deeply the Judean aristocracy was entangled with foreign interests, even while participating in the physical restoration of Jerusalem's walls. This entry provides essential context for understanding Nehemiah's fierce opposition to foreign intermarriage later in his memoir.
Theologically, her mention serves to ground the Book of Nehemiah in historical reality. It shows that the opposition Nehemiah faced was not just external (military threats) but internal (familial and contractual obligations). Her role in these 'oaths of loyalty' underscores the difficulty of the spiritual and social reforms required to maintain the distinct identity of the Jewish people after the return from Babylon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the father of the daughter of Meshullam?
Her father was Meshullam son of Berechiah, a prominent man who helped repair the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's direction.
Who did the daughter of Meshullam marry?
She married Jehohanan, the son of Tobiah the Ammonite, one of Nehemiah's chief political enemies.
Why is her marriage mentioned in the Bible?
It is mentioned to explain why many nobles in Judah were secretly loyal to Tobiah the Ammonite, as they were connected to him through marriage and family oaths.
Was her marriage considered a problem by Nehemiah?
Yes, Nehemiah viewed such alliances with foreign families as a threat to the security and spiritual purity of the Jewish community, as it allowed enemies like Tobiah to influence the Judean leadership.
Family & Relationships
Parents
Meshullam, Son of BerechiahFatherNehemiah 6:18Stated
Jehohanan, Son of TobiahHusbandNehemiah 6:18Stated
Daughter of MeshullamThis pageConnected Figures
Family
Father · Nehemiah 6:18
A prominent wall-rebuilder under Nehemiah who maintained a complex, controversial alliance with the Ammonite official Tobiah.
Exile and ReturnFirst: Nehemiah 3:43 versesWall-builder
Husband · Nehemiah 6:18
An Ammonite-Judahite noble whose marriage into a prominent Jewish family facilitated his father's subversive influence in Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah.
Exile and ReturnFirst: Nehemiah 6:182 versesNoble / Political Liaison
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Nehemiah1
Scripture References
All 1 indexed verse, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
Nehemiah · 1
- 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.