King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Now [therefore], Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which [are] beyond the river, be ye far from thence:
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Therefore, Tatnai governor of the territory beyond the River, Sh'tar-Boznai and your colleagues the officials beyond the River, stay away from there!
Berean Standard Bible:
Therefore Darius decreed: To Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and your associates and officials in the region: You must stay away from that place!
American Standard Version:
Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, be ye far from thence:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Now{H3705} therefore, Tatnai, governor{H6347} beyond{H5675} the river{H5103}, Shetharboznai{H8370}, and your companions{H3675} the Apharsachites{H671}, which are beyond{H5675} the river{H5103}, be ye{H1934} far{H7352} from{H4481} thence{H8536}:
Cross-References (KJV):
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?
Romans 8:31
- ¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?
Proverbs 21:30
- ¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Acts 4:26
- The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Acts 4:28
- For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
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:
Isaiah 27:8
- In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ezra 6:6
Ezra 6:6 is a verse set within the broader context of the post-exilic period of Judah, when the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem after a period of exile in Babylon. The verse is part of a letter from King Darius of Persia, who had conquered the Babylonian Empire, to Tatnai, the governor of the province beyond the Euphrates River, and his associates.
In this verse, King Darius is issuing a directive to the local Persian officials to refrain from interfering with the reconstruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The historical background is that the Jews, led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua, had begun rebuilding the Temple with the initial support of King Cyrus of Persia, who had decreed that the exiled Jews could return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple. However, upon encountering opposition from local groups, including the Samaritans and other peoples who had settled in the region during the Jews' absence, the work had been halted.
The themes of Ezra 6:6 include the sovereignty of God over earthly rulers, the fulfillment of prophecy (as the rebuilding of the Temple was foretold by prophets like Jeremiah), and the importance of religious freedom and autonomy. The verse reflects the Persian government's recognition of the Jewish right to worship and rebuild their sacred space, as well as the administrative reach and authority of the Persian Empire, which could dictate policy even in distant provinces.
Specifically, the text of Ezra 6:6 commands the Persian officials to keep away from the area ("be ye far from thence") where the Temple is being reconstructed, effectively ordering them not to hinder the project. This imperial edict ensures the protection of the Jewish community's efforts to restore their religious practices and national identity, which were deeply intertwined with the Temple in Jerusalem. The verse underscores the broader biblical theme of God's providence in guiding the affairs of His people, even through the decrees of foreign kings.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3705
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּעַן
Transliteration: kᵉʻan
Pronunciation: keh-an'
Description: (Aramaic) probably from כֵּן; now; now. - Strong's Number: H6347
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּחָה
Transliteration: pechâh
Pronunciation: peh-khaw'
Description: (Aramaic) corresponding to פֶּחָה; {a prefect (of a city or small district)}; captain, governor. - Strong's Number: H5675
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲבַר
Transliteration: ʻăbar
Pronunciation: ab-ar'
Description: (Aramaic) corresponding to עֵבֶר; {properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the Jordan; ususally meaning the east)}; beyond, this side. - Strong's Number: H5103
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נְהַר
Transliteration: nᵉhar
Pronunciation: neh-har'
Description: (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to נָהַר; a river, especially the Euphrates; river, stream. - Strong's Number: H8370
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁתַר בּוֹזְנַי
Transliteration: Shᵉthar Bôwzᵉnay
Pronunciation: sheth-ar' bo-zen-ah'-ee
Description: of foreign derivation; Shethar-Bozenai, a Persian officer; Shetharboznai. - Strong's Number: H3675
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּנָת
Transliteration: kᵉnâth
Pronunciation: ken-awth'
Description: (Aramaic) corresponding to כְּנָת; {a colleague (as having the same title)}; companion. - Strong's Number: H671
There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲפַרְסְכַי
Transliteration: ʼĂpharçᵉkay
Pronunciation: af-ar-sek-ah'ee
Description: (Aramaic) or אֲפַרְסַתְכַי; (Aramaic), of foreign origin (only in the plural); an Apharsekite or Apharsathkite, an unknown Assyrian tribe; Apharsachites, Apharasthchites. - Strong's Number: H1934
There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָוָא
Transliteration: hâvâʼ
Pronunciation: hav-aw'
Description: (Aramaic) or הָוָה; (Aramaic), corresponding to הָוָא; to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words); be, become, [phrase] behold, [phrase] came (to pass), [phrase] cease, [phrase] cleave, [phrase] consider, [phrase] do, [phrase] give, [phrase] have, [phrase] judge, [phrase] keep, [phrase] labour, [phrase] mingle (self), [phrase] put, [phrase] see, [phrase] seek, [phrase] set, [phrase] slay, [phrase] take heed, tremble, [phrase] walk, [phrase] would. - Strong's Number: H7352
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַחִיק
Transliteration: rachîyq
Pronunciation: rakh-eek'
Description: (Aramaic) corresponding to רָחוֹק; {remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)}; far. - Strong's Number: H4481
There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִן
Transliteration: min
Pronunciation: min
Description: (Aramaic) corresponding to מִן; {properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of}; according, after, [phrase] because, [phrase] before, by, for, from, [idiom] him, [idiom] more than, (out) of, part, since, [idiom] these, to, upon, [phrase] when. - Strong's Number: H8536
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּם
Transliteration: tâm
Pronunciation: tawm
Description: (Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁם; there; [idiom] thence, there, [idiom] where.