Translations
Modern
So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”
Traditional
Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
Literal
Then we asked these elders, and thus we spoke to them: “Who made for you a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?”
Latin
Interrogavimus ergo senes illos, et ita diximus eis: Quis dedit vobis potestatem ut domum hanc ædificaretis, et muros hos instauraretis?
Original
Hebrew
English
So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”
Notes
Ezra includes a copy in Aramaic of Tattenai’s letter to King Darius. Unlike the letter in Ezra 4:11–16, this letter simply asks if the Jews' actions are valid.
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Ancient Letter Writing Aramaic Book of Ezra Book of Jeremiah Darius First Book of Esdras Haggai, Book of Persia, Persians Postexilic Period Sheshbazzar Temple Zechariah, Book of
Topics
Temple: The Second: Restored by Zerubbabel the Second Temple: Tatnai the Governor Wrote to Darius to Know If the Building