Keraia
Ezra 5

Ezra 5:3

Temple Rebuilding Resumes · Ezra 5:1–5
Read Ezra 5

Translations

Modern
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?”
Traditional
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?
Literal
At the same time came to them Tattenai, governor beyond the River, and Shethar-boznai, and their companions, and thus spoke to them: “Who has made to you a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?”
Latin
In ipso autem tempore venit ad eos Thathanai, qui erat dux trans flumen, et Stharbuzanai, et consiliarii eorum: sicque dixerunt eis: Quis dedit vobis consilium ut domum hanc ædificaretis, et muros ejus instauraretis?

Original

Hebrew
English
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?”

Notes

Ezra 5:3

Who authorized you: Unlike the hostile opposition in Ezra 4, this seems to be a routine check to ensure everything follows official rules.

Ezra 4:24–5:5

Ezra now continues the story of building the temple from 520 to 515 BC.

Parallels

Haggai 1:1–11

People

Shethar-bozenai: Persian official who questioned the Jews' temple rebuilding Tattenai: Persian governor who questioned the Jews' authority to rebuild

Places

Euphrates: Major river in ancient Near East; boundary of Promised Land

Glossary

Aramaic Book of Ezra Book of Jeremiah Darius First Book of Esdras Haggai, Book of Postexilic Period Sheshbazzar Shethar-Bozenai, Shethar-Boznai Tattenai Temple Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Government: Provincial Liberality: Jews After the Captivity Shethar-Boznai: An official of the King of Persia Tatnai: A Persian Governor in Samaria Temple: The Second: Restored by Zerubbabel the Second Temple: Tatnai the Governor Wrote to Darius to Know If the Building