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 5:3KJV
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Ezra 5:3 (KJV)

What does Ezra 5:3 mean?

Ezra 5:3 describes how Tatnai, the governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, along with Shetharboznai and their associates, confronted the Jewish builders and questioned who had authorized them to rebuild the temple and restore its walls. The verse shows an official inquiry into the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem.

The setting is during the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, as they work to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Tatnai and his group represent Persian imperial authority, and their question is a formal challenge, asking for proof of permission to continue the construction. This moment sets up a significant interaction between the local authorities and the Jewish leaders about the legitimacy of the rebuilding project.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 5:3

  • "governor" (פַּחַת, paḥat): This word refers to a provincial governor under Persian rule. Tatnai’s title highlights that he is acting with official authority from the empire, not just as a local leader.
  • "side" (עֵבֶר, ʿeber) and "river" (נָהָר, nahar): Together, these words mean "this side of the river," referring to the area west of the Euphrates. This phrase sets the geographical context and shows the administrative divisions under Persian control.
  • "Who" (מַן, man) and "commanded" (שִׂים, sim + טְעֵם, teʿem): The question uses strong official language, asking for the name or authority behind the rebuilding. The use of both words for "commanded" emphasizes the demand for a clear, legal authorization.
  • "build" (בְּנָה, bena) and "wall" (שׁוּר, shur): These words make clear that the inquiry is about both the temple building and the fortification of Jerusalem, which could be seen as a political threat.

Why Ezra 5:3 matters

  • Ezra 5:3 shows that the rebuilding of the temple was not just a religious project but also had political implications, attracting the attention of imperial officials.
  • The verse sets up the tension between the returning exiles and the Persian authorities, which is a key theme in the surrounding chapters.
  • By recording the officials’ exact question, Ezra 5:3 highlights the importance of legal authority and documentation in the post-exilic period, a recurring issue in the book.

Where else these words appear

“wall” Hebrew H846 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 5:9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?

“Shetharboznai” Hebrew H8370 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 5:6 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 6:6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:
  • Ezra 6:13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.

“companions” Hebrew H3675 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 4:9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
  • Ezra 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
  • Ezra 6:6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:

“up” Hebrew H3635 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 4:12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.
  • Ezra 4:16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
  • Ezra 5:11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.