Bible Dictionary
Geshem
Geshem, also called Gashmu, was an Arabian chief and an ally of Sanballat and Tobiah. He opposed Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall and tried to hinder the work.
Definition
Geshem, or Gashmu, was an Arabian chief, probably the leader of an Arabian tribe. He joined Sanballat and Tobiah in opposing Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall and repeatedly sought to hinder the work.
Biblical Usage
Geshem appears in Nehemiah as one of the enemies who mocked the Jewish builders, spread reports, and attempted to draw Nehemiah away from the work on the wall.
Historical Background
He was probably associated with Arabia Petraea, the Arabian desert, or southern Palestine. The name occurs in the form Gashmu, possibly an Assyrian form of Geshem.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Or Gashmu, firmness, probably chief of the Arabs south of Palestine, one of the enemies of the Jews after the return from Babylon (Neh. 2:19; 6:1, 2). He united with Sanballat and Tobiah in opposing the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
and Gash’mu (rain), an Arabian, mentioned in (Nehemiah 2:19) and Nehe 6:1,2,6 (B.C. 446.) We may conclude that he was an inhabitant of Arabia Petraea or of the Arabian desert, and probably the chief of a tribe.” Gashum said it” made him a type of those who create a common report.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ge'-shem (geshem, gashmu; Gesam, "rain storm"): An Arabian, probably chief of an Arabian tribe that had either settled in Southern Palestine during the exile in Babylon, or had been settled in or near Samaria by Sargon (Ne 2:19; 6:1,2,6). He was a confederate of Sanballat and Tobiah, and strenuously opposed the building of the wall under Nehemiah. He with the others mocked at the first efforts to build the wall, and afterward repeatedly sought to entice Nehemiah to the plains of Ono. The name also occurs in the form Gashmu, perhaps an Assyrian form of the same name Geshem.</p><p>J. J. Reeve</p>