Ancestor of Shemaiah, who opposed Nehemiah.
Mehetabel
Named in 1 verse of Nehemiah, first in Nehemiah 6:10.
מְהֵיטַבְאֵלMehetabel
The name means “how good is God.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Children
- Delaiah
About Mehetabel Written by AI
Mehetabel is mentioned in the context of Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Shemaiah, a man described as "the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel," was hired by Nehemiah's enemies, Sanballat and Tobiah, to intimidate Nehemiah and hinder the work on the wall. Shemaiah invited Nehemiah to meet with him in the temple and suggested that they close the doors, claiming that there was a plot to kill Nehemiah. However, Nehemiah perceived that Shemaiah was not sent by God and that his prophecy was intended to frighten Nehemiah and discredit him (Nehemiah 6:10 to 13). Mehetabel's role in this narrative is limited to being mentioned as an ancestor of Shemaiah, providing context for Shemaiah's background and family lineage.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Mehetabel, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
Wife of Hadad, one of the kings of Edom (Gen. 36:39).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Nehemiah 6:10
Later, I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house. He said: “Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you!”
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.