Ezra 5:6

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

The copy {H6573} of the letter {H104} that Tatnai, governor {H6347} on this side {H5675} the river {H5103}, and Shetharboznai {H8370}, and his companions {H3675} the Apharsachites {H671}, which were on this side {H5675} the river {H5103}, sent {H7972} unto {H5922} Darius {H1868} the king {H4430}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Here is the text of the letter which Tatnai the governor of the territory beyond the River, Sh'tar-Boznai and their fellow officials beyond the River sent to Daryavesh the king;

Berean Standard Bible

This is the text of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates, the officials in the region, sent to King Darius.

American Standard Version

The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent unto Darius the king;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 5:6 introduces the official correspondence initiated by Persian provincial authorities, specifically Tatnai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates, and his companions, including Shetharboznai and the Apharsachites. This verse marks the beginning of a formal inquiry into the Jewish people's renewed efforts to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, setting in motion a bureaucratic process that would ultimately bring their work to the attention of King Darius I and lead to a reaffirmation of the original decree permitting the Temple's construction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 5:6 is situated within the broader narrative of the post-exilic return and rebuilding efforts. Chapters 1-3 describe the initial return under Zerubbabel and Jeshua, the laying of the Temple's foundation, and the initial joy. However, [Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Ezra 4 - Opposition to Rebuilding") details significant opposition from local adversaries, leading to a cessation of work that lasted for many years, spanning the reigns of Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes. By the time of King Darius I, the prophets [Haggai](/haggai/1 "Haggai 1 - Call to Rebuild the Temple") and [Zechariah](/zechariah/1 "Zechariah 1 - Call to Repentance and Rebuilding") emerged, powerfully calling the people to resume the Temple construction, as recorded in [Ezra 5:1-2](/ezra/5-1 "Ezra 5:1-2 - Prophets Haggai and Zechariah Inspire Rebuilding"). This renewed activity, driven by prophetic encouragement and the people's obedience, inevitably drew the attention of the regional Persian administration, prompting the official inquiry detailed in this verse and the subsequent chapters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Persian Empire, at its zenith under Darius I (522-486 BC), was a vast and meticulously organized entity. It was divided into satrapies (provinces), each governed by a satrap, or "governor," who was directly accountable to the king. Tatnai was the satrap of the Trans-Euphrates (Abar-Nahara) satrapy, a crucial region encompassing Syria, Phoenicia, and Judah, west of the Euphrates River. His role was to maintain order, collect taxes, and report significant activities or potential unrest to the central government in Susa. Shetharboznai was likely a high-ranking official, perhaps a commissioner or assistant to Tatnai, indicating a formal, multi-person investigation. The "Apharsachites" were one of several groups of people or officials listed in [Ezra 4:9](/ezra/4-9 "Ezra 4:9 - Peoples Opposing the Jews") as adversaries of the Jews, suggesting a historical tension and a predisposition to scrutinize Jewish activities. This verse highlights the sophisticated Persian administrative system, which, despite its potential for obstruction, also provided a framework for due process and official verification.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Imperial Oversight**, demonstrating the pervasive reach of the Persian Empire's administrative control over its provinces and its subjects. Every significant undertaking, even a religious one, fell under the purview of imperial authority. Secondly, it illustrates the theme of **Bureaucracy and Due Process**. Rather than immediate suppression, the Persian officials initiated a formal inquiry, dispatching a letter to the king to verify the legality of the Temple rebuilding. This adherence to protocol, though a challenge, ultimately proved beneficial for the Jews. Lastly, and most profoundly, it exemplifies **Divine Providence**. What appears on the surface as an act of opposition or an administrative hurdle is, in God's sovereign plan, a means to bring the matter before King Darius, who would not only reaffirm Cyrus's original decree but also command imperial resources for the Temple's completion, as seen in [Ezra 6:1-12](/ezra/6-1 "Ezra 6:1-12 - Darius's Decree for the Temple").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tatnai (Hebrew, _Tatnay_):** This is the Aramaic form of a Persian name, identifying the satrap (governor) of the Trans-Euphrates province. His name appears in cuneiform tablets, confirming his historical existence and role as a high-ranking Persian official. His involvement signifies that the inquiry into the Temple rebuilding was not a local skirmish but a formal, high-level governmental investigation.
* **"on this side the river" (Aramaic, _‘abar nahara’_):** This phrase literally means "beyond the river" from the perspective of Babylon, referring to the region west of the Euphrates River. It was the official Persian designation for the satrapy that included Syria, Phoenicia, and Judah. Its inclusion emphasizes the precise geographical and administrative jurisdiction of Tatnai and the formal nature of the correspondence.
* **Apharsachites (Aramaic, _‘Apharsakhaye’_):** This term, also found in [Ezra 4:9](/ezra/4-9 "Ezra 4:9 - Peoples Opposing the Jews"), refers to one of the various ethnic or administrative groups within the Persian Empire who were often associated with opposition to the Jews. Their inclusion here suggests that the inquiry was not purely administrative but potentially influenced by existing local animosity towards the Jewish rebuilding efforts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river,"**: This clause immediately establishes the nature of the communication—an official letter—and identifies the primary sender: Tatnai, the chief Persian administrator of the vast region encompassing Judah. The term "copy" indicates that this is the official version preserved for records, underscoring its formal and bureaucratic significance.
* **"and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites,"**: This part introduces other key figures involved in the sending of the letter. Shetharboznai is another high-ranking official, likely Tatnai's deputy or a fellow commissioner, indicating a collective, official action rather than an individual initiative. The "Apharsachites" are identified as "companions," suggesting they were part of the investigative team or influential local figures who joined in the complaint, perhaps driven by their historical antagonism towards the Jews.
* **"which [were] on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:"**: This final clause reiterates the geographical jurisdiction of these officials ("on this side the river") and, most importantly, states the recipient of the letter: Darius the king. This highlights the escalating nature of the inquiry, moving from local scrutiny to the highest imperial authority, demonstrating the gravity of the situation and the meticulousness of the Persian administrative system.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 5:6, though seemingly a dry administrative detail, employs several literary devices. The phrase "**The copy of the letter**" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where the "copy" represents the entire official inquiry and its contents. This immediately signals to the reader that the narrative is shifting from direct action (rebuilding) to bureaucratic process. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play; what appears to be an act of opposition (the sending of a formal complaint) ultimately becomes the very mechanism through which God's will is furthered. The meticulous detail in naming the officials and their jurisdiction reinforces the **Historical Narrative** style prevalent in Ezra, grounding the events in verifiable historical and administrative realities, thereby lending credibility to the account of divine intervention within human affairs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 5:6 underscores the profound theological truth that God's sovereign plan often unfolds through human governmental structures and even through what appears to be opposition. The meticulous Persian bureaucracy, designed for imperial control, becomes an unwitting instrument in the divine hand to ensure the Temple's completion. This demonstrates that no earthly authority, however powerful, can thwart God's ultimate purposes; instead, He can orchestrate their actions to achieve His will. The inquiry initiated by Tatnai and his colleagues, far from being a setback, was a necessary step to bring the matter before the king who would ultimately confirm the divine mandate for the Temple's restoration. This passage reminds us that God works not only through miraculous interventions but also through the ordinary, and sometimes challenging, channels of human governance.

* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 5:6 offers powerful lessons for believers navigating challenges in their own lives and ministries. It teaches us that pursuing God's call does not exempt us from encountering bureaucratic hurdles, official scrutiny, or even opposition from those in authority. The Jewish community, having resumed the Temple work with renewed zeal, faced an immediate and formal inquiry. Their response, not of despair or rebellion, but of continuing the work while allowing the proper channels of inquiry to take their course, serves as a model. We are called to persevere in faith, trusting that God's purposes will prevail, even when the path seems obstructed by administrative complexities or adversarial forces. This passage encourages us to engage respectfully with earthly authorities, understanding that God can use even their actions, whether intended for good or ill, to advance His kingdom and reveal His sovereign hand. It challenges us to see potential "setbacks" as opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness in unexpected ways, turning what seems like a challenge into a divine confirmation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when pursuing God's work leads to unexpected administrative hurdles or official scrutiny?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty when facing opposition from earthly authorities?**
* **How does the example of the Jews in Ezra 5 encourage you to engage respectfully and wisely with governing authorities, even when they question your endeavors?**
* **Can you recall a time when what seemed like an obstacle in your life or ministry ultimately became a means for God to further His plan?**

### FAQ
**Who were Tatnai, Shetharboznai, and the Apharsachites, and what was their role?**

Answer: Tatnai was the satrap, or chief provincial governor, of the vast Persian province of Trans-Euphrates (also known as Abar-Nahara), which included Judah. Shetharboznai was another high-ranking Persian official, likely a commissioner or assistant to Tatnai. The Apharsachites were a group of officials or people from a specific ethnic or administrative division within the Persian Empire, often associated with those who had previously opposed the Jews, as seen in [Ezra 4:9](/ezra/4-9 "Ezra 4:9 - Peoples Opposing the Jews"). Their role, as described in [Ezra 5:6](/ezra/5-6 "Ezra 5:6 - Tatnai's Letter to Darius"), was to initiate a formal inquiry into the Jewish people's renewed efforts to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. They sent an official letter to King Darius I, seeking clarification and authorization for the construction project.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 5:6, with its focus on an imperial inquiry into the building of the physical Temple, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate building project of God: His spiritual temple, the Church, established through Christ. Just as the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple faced scrutiny and opposition from earthly powers, the establishment and expansion of God's kingdom through the gospel often encounters governmental oversight and adversarial forces. Yet, the divine providence seen in Darius's ultimate decree to support the Temple's completion points to God's unwavering commitment to His ultimate plan of redemption through His Son. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), is the foundation and cornerstone of this new spiritual Temple ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). The administrative process in Ezra, though seemingly a hurdle, became the very means by which God's will was confirmed and resourced. Similarly, even the crucifixion of Christ, orchestrated by human authorities, was God's ultimate plan for salvation ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Deliberate Plan")). God continues to use earthly powers, even those that appear indifferent or hostile, to accomplish His sovereign purposes, ensuring that His Church, built by Christ, will ultimately prevail against all opposition ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on the Rock")).

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.

Cross-References

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:

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 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 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.