Bible Dictionary
Tobijah
Tobijah was a Levite sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the Law in Judah. The name also belongs to one of the Jews who brought offerings for the temple in Zechariah’s time.
Definition
Tobijah, meaning “Yahweh is good” or “goodness of Jehovah,” designates two biblical persons. One was a Levite sent by Jehoshaphat to teach Judah; another belonged to a group of Jews who brought gold and silver to Jerusalem in Zechariah’s time.
Biblical Usage
The Levite taught in Judah’s cities. The other Tobijah was associated with offerings for a crown connected with Zerubbabel and Joshua, or Zerubbabel alone.
Historical Background
The offerings brought from Babylon were to be kept in the temple as a memorial of the donors.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Id., a Levite sent out through Judah by Jehoshaphat to teach the people (2 Chr. 17:8).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(goodness of Jehovah).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>to-bi'-ja (Tobhiyah, "Yahweh is good"):</p><p>(1) A Levite in the reign of Jehoshaphat whom the king sent to teach in the cities of Judah (2Ch 17:8; Tobhiyahu; the Septuagint omits).</p><p>(2) One of a party of Jews that came from Babylon to Jerusalem with gold and silver for a crown for Zerubbabel and Joshua, or for Zerubbabel alone (Zec 6:10,14). The crown was to be stored in the temple in remembrance of the donors (the Septuagint in both passages translates Tobiyah by chresimoi, i.e. Tobheyha).</p>