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.

EZRA 6:13KJV
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Ezra 6:13 (KJV)

What does Ezra 6:13 mean?

Ezra 6:13 describes how Persian officials carried out King Darius’s orders without delay. Their response meant that the local authorities who had questioned the rebuilding of the temple now acted under the king’s instructions.

The narrator names Tatnai, Shetharboznai, and their companions as the people responsible for the response. “On this side the river” identifies the region by its position relative to the Euphrates River; it refers to the lands west of the river, including Judah.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 6:13

  • “governor” — פֶּחָה (peḥah): This word means a regional governor or official. Tatnai held authority in the Persian administration over the area where the rebuilding was taking place.
  • “companions” — כְּנָת (kenath): This word can refer to associates or colleagues. It points to others involved with the named officials, rather than necessarily to personal friends.

Why Ezra 6:13 matters

  • The officials’ response follows a change in the situation. Earlier, Tatnai and his colleagues had asked who had authorized the rebuilding (Ezra 5:3); now they act on what Darius has sent.
  • The word “speedily” draws attention to the timing of their response. The narrator presents the king’s instructions as receiving prompt attention from the officials.
  • The verse also marks a turn from the king’s written order to events on the ground. The account goes on to describe the builders continuing and completing the temple (Ezra 6:14–15).

Where else these words appear

“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 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:

“so” Hebrew H3660 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
  • Ezra 5:4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
  • 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?

“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 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:

“speedily” Hebrew H629 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 5:8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
  • Ezra 6:12 And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
  • Ezra 7:21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,