Bible Strands
Ezra 5:3
At that time Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates went to the Jews and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Tattenai, governor of the region west of the Euphrates, along with Shethar-bozenai and their associates, confronts the Jewish workers rebuilding Jerusalem. This inquiry occurs immediately after Zerubbabel and Jeshua begin construction, prompting an official demand for documentation.
The words — The text highlights פַּחַת (pa.Chat), meaning "governor," and עֲבַֽר־ נַהֲרָה ('a.var- na.ha.Rah), literally "region beyond the river," identifying the official's jurisdiction. These terms establish the administrative framework of the Persian empire overseeing the reconstruction.
The thread — The same officials appear in Ezra 6:6 when King Darius issues a decree confirming their authority over the region. The question of authorization echoes Ezra 5:9, where the Jewish elders repeat the inquiry, and stands in contrast to the divine mandate in Ezra 1:3 that originally permitted the rebuilding.
Why it lands — The verse demands a clear account of lawful authority before proceeding with sacred work. It requires readers to examine whether their own projects rest on recognized permission or merely human initiative.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar–boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
Cross-references
- Ezra 6:6 Therefore Darius decreed: To Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and your associates and officials in the region: You must stay away from that place!
- Ezra 1:3 Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.
- Ezra 5:9 So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”
- Ezra 6:13 In response, Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates diligently carried out what King Darius had decreed.
- Ezra 4:12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring its walls and repairing its foundations.
- Ezra 5:6 This is the text of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates, the officials in the region, sent to King Darius.
- Ezra 7:21 I, King Artaxerxes, decree to all the treasurers west of the Euphrates: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, may require of you, it must be provided promptly,
- Nehemiah 2:7 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah.
- Matthew 21:23 When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?”
- Acts 4:7 They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”