It is a record of an official letter sent by Tattenai, who served as governor under the Persian Empire, to King Darius concerning the Jewish rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem.
“This is the copy of the letter which Tattenai, the governor of the province beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his colleagues the officials, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king.” (Ezra 5:6). Here, we see a formal document being composed by local Persian authorities, led by Tattenai, directed to Darius so that they might clarify the nature and legitimacy of the Jewish people’s rebuilding efforts. The phrase “beyond the River” refers to the territory on the western side of the Euphrates River, including Judah and Jerusalem, all under the Persian Empire’s control at the time. This letter is a direct appeal to King Darius (who reigned from 522 to 486 BC) to confirm or deny the authority under which the exiles are rebuilding the temple.
“This is the copy of the letter…” (Ezra 5:6) also underscores how official correspondences were meticulously documented. Tattenai holds a prominent position as “the governor of the province beyond the River,” serving as a regional overseer for the Persian Empire around 520 BC. His inquiry demonstrates the administrative checks that the Persian government placed on local projects, such as the temple reconstruction in Jerusalem. Israel’s rebuilding project required formal permission, connecting with prior decrees like Cyrus’s initial mandate (Ezra 1:1-4) and setting the stage for potential further verification by Darius.
Finally, “…sent to Darius the king.” (Ezra 5:6) indicates that Tattenai and his associates were conscientious in their duties to provide accurate information to the reigning monarch. Such diligence fits with the broader biblical narrative involving how God uses foreign leaders to accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 45:1). The letter stands as a turning point, because Darius would ultimately uphold the Jewish people’s right to rebuild, reflecting God’s providence in preserving His people and His temple—a theme echoed in the New Testament where God’s sovereign plan is fulfilled ultimately in Jesus (Luke 24:44).
This verse emphasizes the importance of properly seeking authority, underscores God’s sovereignty in using even foreign officials to accomplish His plans, and reveals the careful administrative structure of the Persian Empire in the late sixth century BC.
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Ezra 5:6 meaning
“This is the copy of the letter which Tattenai, the governor of the province beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his colleagues the officials, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king.” (Ezra 5:6). Here, we see a formal document being composed by local Persian authorities, led by Tattenai, directed to Darius so that they might clarify the nature and legitimacy of the Jewish people’s rebuilding efforts. The phrase “beyond the River” refers to the territory on the western side of the Euphrates River, including Judah and Jerusalem, all under the Persian Empire’s control at the time. This letter is a direct appeal to King Darius (who reigned from 522 to 486 BC) to confirm or deny the authority under which the exiles are rebuilding the temple.
“This is the copy of the letter…” (Ezra 5:6) also underscores how official correspondences were meticulously documented. Tattenai holds a prominent position as “the governor of the province beyond the River,” serving as a regional overseer for the Persian Empire around 520 BC. His inquiry demonstrates the administrative checks that the Persian government placed on local projects, such as the temple reconstruction in Jerusalem. Israel’s rebuilding project required formal permission, connecting with prior decrees like Cyrus’s initial mandate (Ezra 1:1-4) and setting the stage for potential further verification by Darius.
Finally, “…sent to Darius the king.” (Ezra 5:6) indicates that Tattenai and his associates were conscientious in their duties to provide accurate information to the reigning monarch. Such diligence fits with the broader biblical narrative involving how God uses foreign leaders to accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 45:1). The letter stands as a turning point, because Darius would ultimately uphold the Jewish people’s right to rebuild, reflecting God’s providence in preserving His people and His temple—a theme echoed in the New Testament where God’s sovereign plan is fulfilled ultimately in Jesus (Luke 24:44).
This verse emphasizes the importance of properly seeking authority, underscores God’s sovereignty in using even foreign officials to accomplish His plans, and reveals the careful administrative structure of the Persian Empire in the late sixth century BC.