Nehemiah 6:19

reported … uttered R.V. spoke of … reported. The Hebrew gives the idea of continuous action. They endeavoured to convince Nehemiah that Tobiah's professions of goodwill were sincere. Perhaps too they spoke of the generous way in which he distributed money among the Jews. On the other hand they communicated to Tobiah all that Nehemiah said and did, with the view of supplying him with material for charges against Nehemiah to be made before the Persian king, or for slanders to the Jewish people. The word for -His good deeds," or -virtues," (tôbôthâv) is perhaps a play on the name -Tobiah."

Tobiah … in fear i.e. letters like that of Sanballat quoted above (Nehemiah 6:5).