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 5:6KJV
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Ezra 5:6 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“copy” Hebrew H6573 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 4:11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
  • 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.

“letter” Hebrew H104 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
  • Ezra 4:11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.

“Apharsachites” Hebrew H671 · used in 3 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 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:

“Shetharboznai” Hebrew H8370 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 5:3 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 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.