Ezra 5:3

KJV

¶ 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?

KJV (with Strong's)

At the same time {H2166} came {H858} to them Tatnai, governor {H6347} on this side {H5675} the river {H5103}, and Shetharboznai {H8370}, and their companions {H3675}, and said {H560} thus {H3652} unto them {H5922}, Who {H4479} hath commanded {H7761}{H2942} you to build {H1124} this {H1836} house {H1005}, and to make up {H3635} this {H1836} wall {H846}?

Complete Jewish Bible

No sooner had they begun, when Tatnai the governor of the territory beyond the [Euphrates] River, Sh'tar-Boznai and their colleagues came and asked them, "Who gave you permission to rebuild this house and finish this wall?

Berean Standard Bible

At that time Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates went to the Jews and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”

American Standard Version

At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 5:3 marks a critical juncture in the post-exilic rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, introducing the direct confrontation between the newly re-energized Jewish builders and the Persian imperial authorities. Following a period of stagnation and discouragement, the people, spurred by prophetic encouragement, resumed construction. This verse immediately presents the consequence: the arrival of Tatnai, the governor of the province "Beyond the River," and his associates, who challenge the legitimacy of the building project, demanding to know by whose authority they are proceeding. This official inquiry, though seemingly an obstacle, ultimately serves as a catalyst for the rediscovery of King Cyrus's original decree, leading to renewed imperial support for the Temple's completion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 5:3 immediately follows a powerful narrative shift in the book of Ezra. Chapters 1-3 detail the initial return from exile and the laying of the Temple foundation. However, [Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Ezra 4 - Opposition to Rebuilding") describes significant opposition from surrounding peoples, leading to a cessation of the work that lasted for approximately sixteen years, as explicitly stated in [Ezra 4:24](/ezra/4-24 "Ezra 4:24 - The Work Ceases"). The narrative picks up in [Ezra 5:1-2](/ezra/5-1 "Ezra 5:1-2 - Prophets Spur Rebuilding") with the intervention of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, who divinely stirred up Zerubbabel and Jeshua, along with the people, to resume the building. Verse 3 then presents the immediate, almost inevitable, consequence of this renewed activity: the arrival of Persian officials, initiating a formal inquiry into the project's authority. This sets the stage for the subsequent legal proceedings and the search for the original decree, which culminates in [Ezra 6](/ezra/6 "Ezra 6 - Darius's Decree and Temple Completion").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Ezra 5 take place during the reign of Darius I (522-486 BC), a period when the Persian Empire had consolidated its vast territories. The province of "Beyond the River" (Abar-Nahara in Aramaic, or Trans-Euphrates) was a significant satrapy encompassing Syria, Phoenicia, and Judah. Tatnai, as its governor (peḥat), held considerable administrative and military authority, responsible for maintaining order, collecting taxes, and ensuring compliance with imperial decrees. His arrival was not merely a casual visit but a formal inspection, prompted by reports (likely from the adversaries mentioned in [Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Ezra 4 - Opposition to Rebuilding")) of unauthorized building activity. The Persian administrative system was highly organized, requiring official sanction for large-scale public works, especially those that might involve significant resources or have political implications. The question "Who hath commanded you?" reflects this bureaucratic necessity for proper authorization within the imperial structure.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 5:3 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezra and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Providence Amidst Human Opposition**. While the inquiry appears as an obstacle, it ultimately serves God's purpose by forcing the Jewish leaders to articulate their divine and royal mandate, leading to a more robust and officially sanctioned rebuilding effort. Secondly, it underscores the **Legitimacy of God's Work** and the need for His people to be prepared to defend it, even before secular authorities. The question of "Who hath commanded you?" is not just administrative but also a challenge to the very foundation of their enterprise. Thirdly, the verse exemplifies the recurring theme of **Perseverance in Faith**. Despite past setbacks and renewed scrutiny, the people, empowered by the prophets, continue the work, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to God's command. This perseverance is ultimately vindicated by the subsequent events in [Ezra 6:6-12](/ezra/6-6 "Ezra 6:6-12 - Darius's Decree Supporting the Temple Rebuilding"), where Darius issues a decree supporting their efforts.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tatnai (Aramaic, _Taṭnay'_):** The name of the Persian governor of the satrapy of Abar-Nahara (Beyond the River). His presence signifies a formal, official inquiry from the highest regional authority. The fact that his name is recorded underscores the historical accuracy and the gravity of the encounter. He is not a local troublemaker but a high-ranking imperial administrator, making his questions a serious challenge to the Jewish community's work.
* **Governor (Aramaic, _peḥat'_):** This term refers to a Persian provincial governor or viceroy, indicating a position of significant power and responsibility within the imperial administration. A _peḥat_ was responsible for maintaining order, collecting taxes, and enforcing imperial decrees within his jurisdiction. Tatnai's title emphasizes that this was an official, legitimate investigation, not merely a personal curiosity, and that the Jewish leaders were dealing with the full weight of Persian authority.
* **"Who hath commanded you?" (Aramaic, _man śām ṭəʿēm ləḵōn'_):** This phrase is the crux of Tatnai's inquiry. The Aramaic verb _śām_ (to place, set) combined with _ṭəʿēm_ (decree, command, order) indicates a demand for official authorization or a formal edict. Tatnai is not asking for a suggestion or an inspiration, but a verifiable, legitimate command, likely from the Persian king himself, to undertake such a significant public works project. This question directly challenges the legal basis of their rebuilding efforts and necessitates a search for the original decree of Cyrus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions":** This clause sets the scene, indicating the immediate consequence of the resumed building work. "At the same time" links directly to the renewed activity spurred by the prophets in the preceding verses. The arrival of Tatnai, the chief governor of the entire Trans-Euphrates province, along with his subordinate Shetharboznai and other officials, underscores the official and high-level nature of this intervention. Their presence signals a formal inquiry into the legality of the construction project.
* **"and said thus unto them":** This simple phrase introduces the direct confrontation, emphasizing that the officials did not merely observe but engaged in a verbal challenge. It highlights the shift from passive observation to active interrogation, signaling the beginning of a formal investigation.
* **"Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?":** This is the central question, a direct challenge to the authority of the builders. "This house" refers unequivocally to the Temple. The phrase "and to make up this wall" could refer to the walls of the Temple precincts, or more broadly, to any defensive structures being erected concurrently, which would be of particular concern to imperial authorities as it might imply rebellion or unauthorized fortification. The core of the question is about legitimacy: by what decree or order, and from whom, are they undertaking such a significant and potentially sensitive project? This question forces the Jewish leaders to articulate their divine mandate and recall the royal decree from Cyrus.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Interrogation** as its primary literary device, with Tatnai's direct question serving as the central dramatic element. This question is not merely informational but functions as a challenge, creating immediate tension and driving the narrative forward towards the search for the original decree. There is also a strong sense of **Juxtaposition**, as the renewed zeal and spiritual encouragement of [Ezra 5:1-2](/ezra/5-1 "Ezra 5:1-2 - Prophets Spur Rebuilding") are immediately met with the bureaucratic and potentially hostile inquiry in [Ezra 5:3](/ezra/5-3 "Ezra 5:3 - Tatnai's Inquiry"). This contrast highlights the reality that even divinely inspired work often faces external opposition. Furthermore, the inquiry itself acts as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the legal and administrative hurdles that the builders must overcome. It sets the stage for the subsequent search for Cyrus's decree and Darius's eventual supportive edict, demonstrating how apparent obstacles can ultimately lead to greater clarity and stronger divine vindication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 5:3 powerfully illustrates the principle of God's sovereignty over human authorities and the necessity for His people to be prepared to articulate their divine mandate. Even when God's work is undertaken with spiritual zeal, it often intersects with human governance, requiring a clear and legitimate basis for action. Tatnai's inquiry, though seemingly a hindrance, ultimately serves God's purpose by forcing the Jewish leaders to rediscover and present the original decree of Cyrus, thereby securing the Temple's completion under official imperial protection. This demonstrates that God can use even the scrutiny of secular powers to further His redemptive plans, turning potential opposition into an opportunity for His will to be publicly affirmed. It reminds believers that faithfulness often involves navigating complex earthly systems while relying on heavenly authority.
* [Nehemiah 2:19](/nehemiah/2-19 "Nehemiah 2:19 - Sanballat and Tobiah Mock Nehemiah")
* [Acts 4:19-20](/acts/4-19 "Acts 4:19-20 - Peter and John's Bold Declaration")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 5:3 resonates deeply with believers today, offering crucial insights into the nature of God's work and the challenges we may face. Just as the Jewish community experienced renewed opposition after resuming the Temple work, we too should anticipate that significant spiritual endeavors often attract scrutiny, skepticism, or even direct challenge, sometimes from unexpected or official sources. This verse calls us to be prepared, not only spiritually but also practically, to articulate the "who" and "why" behind our faith and actions. Our ultimate command comes from God, revealed in His Word and through the leading of His Spirit. When questioned, our response should be rooted in truth, humility, and a clear understanding of our divine mandate. Furthermore, this passage encourages us to trust in God's sovereign hand, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. What appears to be an interrogation can, in God's providence, become the very means by which His purposes are clarified, affirmed, and ultimately brought to a more glorious completion. Our trials can become testimonies to His faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "building projects" (spiritual endeavors or callings) in your life might be subject to scrutiny or opposition?**
* **How prepared are you to articulate the divine "command" or authority behind your actions and beliefs when questioned by others?**
* **In what ways have you seen God use apparent obstacles or challenges to ultimately further His purposes in your life or ministry?**
* **How does Ezra 5:3 encourage you to persevere in God's work, even when facing external pressures or formal inquiries?**

### FAQ
**Who were Tatnai and Shetharboznai, and why were they involved?**

Answer: Tatnai was the Persian governor (peḥat) of the satrapy of Abar-Nahara, or "Beyond the River," which encompassed the region west of the Euphrates, including Judah. Shetharboznai was likely a subordinate official or commissioner. They were involved because the rebuilding of the Temple was a significant public works project that required imperial sanction. Reports (likely from the adversaries mentioned in [Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Ezra 4 - Opposition to Rebuilding")) of the resumed construction reached them, prompting a formal, administrative inquiry into the legitimacy and authorization of the project. As high-ranking officials, they were responsible for ensuring order, collecting taxes, and enforcing the king's decrees, making their investigation a standard procedure within the Persian administrative system.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 5:3, with its focus on authority and the building of God's house under scrutiny, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His church. Just as Tatnai questioned the authority of the Jewish builders, Jesus's authority was repeatedly challenged by the religious leaders of His day, who demanded, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" ([Matthew 21:23](/matthew/21-23 "Matthew 21:23 - Jesus's Authority Questioned")). Jesus's ultimate authority, however, came directly from God the Father, a divine mandate that superseded any earthly decree. Furthermore, the "house" being built in Ezra is a physical temple, a shadow of the spiritual house that Jesus came to establish—His church. As the "chief cornerstone" ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")), Jesus is the one upon whom the entire spiritual edifice is built, a "spiritual house" composed of believers ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")). The "wall" that the builders were making up can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the dividing wall of hostility that Christ broke down through His sacrifice, uniting Jew and Gentile into one new humanity ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")). Thus, the challenges faced by the builders in Ezra 5:3 ultimately point to the greater work of Christ, who, by His divine authority, builds His church against which "the gates of hell shall not prevail" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.