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 5:6KJVWhat does Ezra 5:6 mean?
Ezra 5:6 records that a copy of a letter was sent by Tatnai, the governor in the region west of the Euphrates River, along with Shetharboznai and their associates, to King Darius of Persia. This letter was an official communication concerning the activities happening in Jerusalem.
The verse sets the stage for the correspondence between Persian officials and the king about the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Tatnai and his companions, including a group called the Apharsachites, are regional authorities who are reporting to Darius about what they have observed. The verse introduces the key figures involved and signals that what follows is the content of their letter to the king.
The Aramaic behind Ezra 5:6
- "copy" (פַּרְשֶׁגֶן, parshegen): This word means an official copy or transcript, emphasizing that what follows is a faithful record of the letter, not just a summary.
- "governor" (פַּחַת, pachat): This term refers to a provincial governor under Persian rule, highlighting Tatnai’s official authority in the region.
- "side" (עֵבֶר, ever) and "river" (נָהָר, nahar): Together, these words specify the location as the area "beyond the river," meaning west of the Euphrates, which was a standard way to describe the province including Judah.
- "sent" (שְׁלַח, shelach): This verb underscores the formal action of dispatching an official message to the king, showing the seriousness of the inquiry.
Why Ezra 5:6 matters
- This verse clarifies who the main officials were in the Persian administration overseeing Judah and Jerusalem, which helps the reader understand the political context of the rebuilding efforts.
- It shows that the Persian authorities were closely monitoring activities in their provinces and were required to report significant events to the king, which explains the official tone and process that follows.
- By introducing the letter, the verse prepares the reader for the detailed exchange between local officials and the Persian king, which is central to the narrative about the challenges faced by the returning exiles.