Nehemiah 2:19
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
Why is Nehemiah’s adversary named Geshem here and Gashmu in Nehemiah 6:6? (KJV)
PROBLEM: As soon as Nehemiah set about to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, the surrounding enemy mounted an opposition. One of those who opposed the work was identified as Geshem the Arab. However, in Nehemiah 6:6 this same person is identified as Gashmu. Which is the correct spelling?
SOLUTION: Both spellings are correct. The difference lies in the way the Hebrew and Arab languages treat the spelling of proper names. The Arabic pronunciation is preserved in Nehemiah 6:6 with the customary “u” ending. The Hebrew pronunciation is preserved in Nehemiah 2:19 with the elimination of the “u” along with the appropriate short vowels to produce the name “Geshem.” Nehemiah 7:1 ff—Why are many of the numbers in Nehemiah’s list of those who returned to Jerusalem different from those in Ezra 2:1ff? (See comments under Ezra 2:1ff.)