Ezra 5 3

Ezra 5:3 kjv

At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?

Ezra 5:3 nkjv

At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: "Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?"

Ezra 5:3 niv

At that time Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?"

Ezra 5:3 esv

At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: "Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?"

Ezra 5:3 nlt

But Tattenai, governor of the province west of the Euphrates River, and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues soon arrived in Jerusalem and asked, "Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and restore this structure?"

Ezra 5 verses

Ezra 5 3 Meaning

Ezra 5:3 describes the appearance of Tattenai, the Persian governor of the province Beyond the River (Abar Nahara), and his associates who officially question the Jewish leaders, Zerubbabel and Jeshua, regarding the authority by which they are rebuilding and finishing the temple in Jerusalem. The core of their inquiry is a legal demand for a royal decree that authorizes such a large-scale construction project.

Ezra 5 3 Context

Ezra 5:3 is situated at a critical juncture in the post-exilic history of the Jewish people's return to Jerusalem and their effort to rebuild the Second Temple. Following King Cyrus's initial decree (Ezra 1:1-4) allowing the exiles to return and rebuild the temple, opposition had caused the work to cease for approximately sixteen years (Ezra 4:24). This verse marks the official governmental inquiry prompted by the renewed construction, which was invigorated by the prophetic messages of Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1-2). Tattenai, the governor of the vast Persian satrapy "Beyond the River" (Abar Nahara), arrives to investigate the resumed building activities, specifically questioning the legitimacy and royal authorization for such a large project in his jurisdiction. This inquiry is an administrative act by Persian officials, as all major construction within the empire, especially potential fortifications, required direct royal consent.

Ezra 5 3 Word analysis

• At the same time: This phrase signifies the immediate temporal connection to the preceding verse (Ezra 5:1-2), emphasizing that as soon as the rebuilding effort recommenced with renewed vigor, it drew the attention of the ruling authorities. It highlights a period of significant activity.
• Tattenai (תַּתְּנַי, Tattnay), governor (פַּחַת, paḥat) of Beyond the River (עֲבַר נַהֲרָה, Avar Nahara):
  • Tattenai: This individual is confirmed historically outside the Bible through Babylonian cuneiform tablets, affirming the biblical account's accuracy regarding Persian provincial administration.
  • Governor (Paḥat): Denotes a high-ranking Persian administrative official, a satrap or sub-satrap, holding significant power and authority over a large imperial province.
  • Beyond the River (Abar Nahara): This Aramaic phrase literally means "across the river," referring to the large administrative region of the Persian Empire west of the Euphrates River, encompassing Syria, Phoenicia, and Judah. Tattenai's authority was extensive. Their arrival demonstrates the Persian bureaucracy's efficiency in monitoring its provinces.
• and Shethar-Bozenai (שְׁתַר בּוֹזְנַי, Shᵉtar Boznay) and their associates (כְּנָוָתְהֹון, kᵉnāwātᵉhôn):
  • Shethar-Bozenai: Another Persian official, likely a high-ranking colleague or subordinate to Tattenai, demonstrating the formal and multi-party nature of the official inquiry.
  • Associates: Implies a formal delegation of officials, scribes, and perhaps security personnel, indicating an organized, state-level investigation, not a casual visit.
• came to them: Direct interaction, indicating a confrontation and interrogation of Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the Jewish elders. It shows the officials directly engaging with those responsible for the construction.
• and said thus: Indicates a formal address, setting the stage for the specific legal inquiry that follows.
• 'Who issued you a decree (טְעֵם, ṭᵉʿēm) to rebuild (לְמִבְנֵא, lᵉmivnēʾ) this house (בַּיְתָא, baytāʾ) and finish (וּלְמַשְׁלְמָא, ulᵉmašlᵉmāʾ) this structure (אֻשַּׁרְנָא, ʾushsharnāʾ)?': This is the crux of their questioning.
  • Decree (Ṭᵉʿēm): This Aramaic term is crucial. It means a royal edict, a legal command, or official authorization. The officials are demanding to see the formal paperwork from the central Persian authority (the king) that legitimizes such a large-scale project. Without such a decree, the work would be deemed illegal and subject to immediate cessation and penalties.
  • To rebuild this house: "House" (baytāʾ) specifically refers to the Temple, the house of God. Its religious significance to the Jews was secondary to its potential strategic importance and resource consumption in the eyes of the Persian administration. The emphasis is on the actual construction.
  • And finish this structure (ʾushsharnāʾ): "Structure" refers to the completed edifice, the foundation up to the roof. The term implies not just starting but also completing a significant building. The question reveals the Persian concern with the full scope of the project, including its structural integrity and completion. This phrasing also confirms the work had progressed to a noticeable degree beyond mere foundation laying.

Ezra 5 3 Bonus section

The Aramaic portion of Ezra (which includes this verse) begins in Ezra 4:8 and continues through 6:18, and then resumes briefly in 7:12-26. This linguistic shift in the text is noteworthy and suggests the use of official state documents or correspondences which were likely written in Aramaic, the lingua franca of the Persian Empire. The exact titles and names, such as Tattenai and the province of Abar Nahara, lend significant historical veracity to the book of Ezra, affirming its historicity. The challenge posed by Tattenai also highlights the administrative boundaries of empire: though Cyrus had issued a decree, the execution and local implementation still fell under provincial oversight. This interaction underscores that even God's work, while divinely commanded, often operates within existing human socio-political frameworks, requiring engagement and sometimes legal justification.

Ezra 5 3 Commentary

Ezra 5:3 encapsulates the tension between divine mandate and human governmental authority. While the Jews were spurred by prophets to obey God's command to rebuild His house, their actions drew the legitimate attention of the Persian imperial administration. Tattenai's inquiry was not inherently malicious but rather a standard bureaucratic procedure, verifying royal authorization for significant public works within his jurisdiction. The Persian Empire was known for its rigorous legal and administrative systems; large-scale constructions, especially religious edifices which could also be perceived as potential fortresses, required explicit royal approval. The question "Who issued you a decree...?" is a direct challenge to their legal right to proceed. This moment serves as a test of faith and God's providence, setting the stage for divine intervention through Darius's subsequent confirmation of Cyrus's original decree (Ezra 6), demonstrating God's sovereign control even over foreign rulers and complex bureaucratic systems for the sake of His people and His plan. It shows that obedience to God might lead to worldly scrutiny, which God can then use for His purposes.