The Hebrew name Toviyah (H2900) means 'the LORD is good' or 'Yahweh is good' — a compound of tov (good) and Yah (the LORD). The name appears for several individuals in the Old Testament, most notably as the name of an Ammonite official who opposed Nehemiah's rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. Despite the beautiful meaning of his name, Tobiah is portrayed as an enemy of God's redemptive purposes.
The irony of Tobiah's name is one of Scripture's subtle literary devices: the man whose name declares 'the LORD is good' actively works to hinder the work of God. He mocks the builders (Nehemiah 4:3), conspires against Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:1-14), and even has a room set up for him inside the Temple precincts — which Nehemiah throws out (Nehemiah 13:7-9). The name Toviyah itself, however, is theologically rich: God's goodness (tov) is a foundational attribute (Psalm 34:8; 100:5), and the God whose name is proclaimed as good will ultimately vindicate His purposes against all opposition.