Ezra 5 6

Ezra 5:6 kjv

The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:

Ezra 5:6 nkjv

This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai sent: The governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and his companions, the Persians who were in the region beyond the River, to Darius the king.

Ezra 5:6 niv

This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates, the officials of Trans-Euphrates, sent to King Darius.

Ezra 5:6 esv

This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his associates, the governors who were in the province Beyond the River, sent to Darius the king.

Ezra 5:6 nlt

This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai the governor, Shethar-bozenai, and the other officials of the province west of the Euphrates River sent to King Darius:

Ezra 5 verses

Ezra 5 6 Meaning

Ezra 5:6 introduces an official report sent by Persian governmental authorities in the Trans-Euphrates region to King Darius concerning the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. It specifies the key officials involved, namely Tattenai, the governor, and Shethar-bozenai, along with their associated Apharsachites. This verse marks the beginning of their official communication and inquiry to the king regarding the Jewish construction work.

Ezra 5 6 Context

Ezra Chapter 5 begins with the stirring of the Jews by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to resume the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been halted for about sixteen years due to opposition (Ezra 4). Following this renewed activity, Persian officials, including Tattenai the governor, visited Jerusalem to investigate the unauthorized construction. The preceding verses (Ezra 5:1-5) describe the initial questioning of the Jewish elders regarding their authority to build. Verse 6 initiates the formal governmental process by introducing the critical report that these officials sent directly to King Darius, signifying the gravity and official nature of the inquiry. Historically, this occurs during the reign of Darius I (Darius Hystaspes), approximately 520 BC, a time when the Persian Empire was highly organized administratively, with vast territories like "beyond the River" (Trans-Euphrates) being important satrapies. This formal correspondence reflects the detailed bureaucratic procedures of the Achaemenid Empire.

Ezra 5 6 Word analysis

• The copy of the letter: The Aramaic word is pāršegeʾ (פַּרְשֶׁגֶן), meaning 'copy' or 'transcript.' This indicates it was an exact replica of the original communication, signifying its importance as an official, legally significant document for record-keeping and judicial processes. The term implies authenticity and an official record. In a time before mass reproduction, a carefully prepared copy was essential for distribution and archives.
• which Tattenai, governor: Tattenai (תַּתְּנַי - tatnay) was the historical Persian governor (Aramaic: peḥat, פְּחַת) of the province of "beyond the River." The name is likely Persian and is attested in extrabiblical cuneiform tablets, confirming the biblical account's accuracy regarding Persian administrative figures. The peḥat held significant administrative, judicial, and military authority over his satrapy.
• beyond the River: (עֲבַר נַהֲרָהּ - ʿevar nahªrāh). This Aramaic phrase specifically refers to the region west of the Euphrates River, known as the satrapy of Trans-Euphrates or Aram-Naharaim. This vast area included Syria, Phoenicia, and Judah. This detail precisely identifies Tattenai's jurisdiction, highlighting the extensive reach of the Persian administration and Jerusalem's specific position within this larger political structure.
• and Shethar-bozenai: Shethar-bozenai (שְׁתַר בּוֹזְנַי - šetar-bozⁿay) is another named official who was an associate of Tattenai, likely a high-ranking officer or inspector under his authority. His name, like Tattenai's, is Persian. The presence of specific names, often confirmed by archaeological findings, adds to the historical verisimilitude of the biblical narrative, emphasizing the divine meticulousness in recording details of His dealings, even with Gentile powers.
• and their associates, the Apharsachites: (כְּנָוָתְהֹם אֲפַרְסַכָאֵי - kⁿavathom ʾaparsākāʾê). "Associates" refers to colleagues or a delegation of officials, implying that this was not a solo inquiry but a coordinated governmental effort. "Apharsachites" might refer to an administrative title, a group of officials with a specific duty (perhaps legal or judicial inspectors), or possibly an ethnic designation for people from a particular region or who formed a specific tribal contingent within the empire's forces or bureaucracy. They were clearly involved in the governmental oversight.
• who were beyond the River: Reemphasizes their geographical and administrative sphere of influence, aligning with Tattenai's jurisdiction. This further confirms that the inquiry originated from the established regional authorities rather than an isolated action.
• sent to Darius the king: Darius (דָּרְיָוֶשׁ - dāryāweš), specifically Darius I (Hystaspes), was the current Persian monarch at this time. This demonstrates the official chain of command and that the matter was deemed significant enough to reach the highest level of Persian authority. The fact that such a report ascended to the king's attention highlights the potential peril to the Jews and underscores God's providential working through seemingly adversarial governmental processes.

Ezra 5 6 Bonus section

The Aramaic sections of Ezra (Ezra 4:8–6:18 and 7:12–26) are highly valued by scholars for their historical authenticity, providing direct insights into Persian imperial correspondence and administration. The specificity of titles like peḥat and regional designations like "beyond the River" (or Trans-Euphrates satrapy) aligns perfectly with known Achaemenid administrative structures, as corroborated by non-biblical historical and archaeological records. For example, Tattenai is widely identified with a historical figure named Tatannu, a high-ranking Persian official attested in cuneiform documents of the Babylonian Murašû archive from the time of Darius I. This level of corroboration reinforces the Bible's historical reliability and the inspired preservation of these records within the sacred text. The emphasis on 'copy' further highlights the legalistic and administrative exactitude prevalent in the Persian Empire, which ironically serves to authenticate God's dealings with His people as meticulously documented history.

Ezra 5 6 Commentary

Ezra 5:6 is a pivotal verse because it marks the formal entry of the Persian state bureaucracy into the narrative of the Temple rebuilding. It is not merely an incidental detail but foundational to understanding the divine method of operation. The emphasis on "copy" (parshegen) and the precise identification of officials like Tattenai and Shethar-bozenai, along with their regional administrative scope ("beyond the River" and "Apharsachites"), underscores the veracity and meticulous nature of the record, characteristic of Achaemenid administration. This seemingly secular administrative detail is deeply significant for the people of God.

From a biblical perspective, the diligent governmental inquiry by Tattenai and his associates, culminating in a direct report to King Darius, served as an unlikely yet divine catalyst. God's hand is evident, not in thwarting the bureaucratic process, but in working through it to ultimately achieve His purposes (Prov 21:1). The detailed report sent to Darius set in motion a sequence of events, where King Darius himself would search the royal archives, find Cyrus' original decree, and eventually issue his own supportive edict, culminating in the completion of the Temple. This narrative implicitly showcases God's sovereignty over the mightiest of earthly empires and His capacity to turn what seems to be opposition into channels of divine favor. It offers assurance that even when faced with comprehensive human authority and challenges, God remains in control and His plans will prevail.

This can be practically applied in understanding that even in today's intricate systems—governmental, corporate, or societal—God's providence remains active. Believers facing scrutiny or opposition, particularly in matters pertaining to God's work, can be encouraged that divine oversight transcends human machinations. Just as the meticulously recorded inquiries by Persian officials were tools in God's hand for the Temple's completion, so too can contemporary challenges, whether legal, administrative, or bureaucratic, ultimately serve God's greater redemptive plan.