Some who had been foremost in plotting mischief against the Jews, now professed a desire to be on friendly terms with them. The nobles of Judah who had become entangled in idolatrous marriages, and who had held traitorous correspondence with Tobiah and taken oath to serve him, now 658 represented him as a man of ability and foresight, an alliance with whom would be greatly to the advantage of the Jews. At the same time they betrayed to him Nehemiah's plans and movements. Thus the work of God's people was laid open to the attacks of their enemies, and opportunity was given to misconstrue Nehemiah's words and acts, and to hinder his work.

Nu foregav nogle af jødernes værste fjender, at de ville være deres venner. De store i Juda, som havde giftet sig ind i hedenske familier og begået forræderi ved at brevveksle med Tobija og slutte edsforbund med ham, omtalte ham nu som en dygtig og fremsynet mand, som jøderne med stor fordel kunne slutte pagt med. Samtidig afslørede de Nehemias' planer for ham. På denne måde fik fjenderne lejlighed til at angribe Guds folks sag og mistyde Nehemias' ord og handlinger til skade for hans gerning.