## 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"

## he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah ##

This means that Tobiah was married to the daughter of Shecaniah.

## Tobiah...Shecaniah...Arah...Jehohanan...Meshullam...Berechiah ##

These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

## to frighten me ##

"to scare me." The continuing goal was to overcome Nehemiah using fear.