* **the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah's letters came to them** - There was constant communication between the wealthy of Judah and the enemy of the Jews, Tobiah.
* **There were many in Judah who were bound by an oath to him** - "There were many people in Judah who owed allegiance to Tobiah"
* **Tobiah...Shecaniah...Arah...Jehohanan...Meshullam...Berechiah** - These are the names of males. (See: [[en:ta:vol1:translate:translate_names]])
* **They also spoke to me about his good deeds and reported my words back to him** - "The Jewish nobles told me about Tobiah's good deeds and then told him about my responses."
* **Letters were sent to me from Tobiah to frighten me** - This passive clause can be translated as an active clause. AT: "Tobiah sent letters to me to scare me" (See: [[en:ta:vol2:translate:figs_activepassive]])
* **to frighten me** - "to scare me." The continuing goal was to overcome Nehemiah using fear.