Ezra 5:6 - The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ezra 5:6" mean?
This verse in Ezra 5:6 serves as an introduction to a letter that officials in the Persian Empire sent to King Darius. Let's break it down:
"The copy of the letter...": This signifies that the passage Ezra is recording is a direct transcript or a very close rendition of a letter that was actually written and sent.
"Tattenai, the governor beyond the River...": Tattenai was the governor of the province "Beyond the River" (or "Trans-Euphrates"), which was a large and important region of the Persian Empire that included territories west of the Euphrates River, including Judah (where Jerusalem was located). This means he was a high-ranking official.
"Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites...": Shetharbozenai was another Persian official, likely holding a position of authority under Tattenai. The "Apharsachites" were a group of people, likely a specific administrative or military unit within the province. Their ethnic origin and exact role are not clear from the Bible alone, but they were clearly associated with the Persian administration. They acted as Shetharbozenai's partners or subordinates.
"...who were beyond the River...": This further clarifies that these officials were based in the same region as Tattenai, underscoring their jurisdiction over the area where the Jewish people were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem.
"...sent to Darius the king follows.": This indicates that the letter was addressed to Darius I (also known as Darius the Great), who was the king of the Persian Empire at the time. The content of the letter is what follows in the subsequent verses.
In essence, this verse sets the stage: It tells us who wrote the following letter (high-ranking Persian officials in the region of Judah), and to whom it was addressed (King Darius). It is a formal introduction, establishing the authority and context for the communication that is about to be presented. The letter itself is important because it shows how the Persian administration reacted to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, and how they sought confirmation from the king about its legitimacy.
Ezra 5:6 - The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows.
What does "Ezra 5:6" mean?
This verse in Ezra 5:6 serves as an introduction to a letter that officials in the Persian Empire sent to King Darius. Let's break it down:
"The copy of the letter...": This signifies that the passage Ezra is recording is a direct transcript or a very close rendition of a letter that was actually written and sent.
"Tattenai, the governor beyond the River...": Tattenai was the governor of the province "Beyond the River" (or "Trans-Euphrates"), which was a large and important region of the Persian Empire that included territories west of the Euphrates River, including Judah (where Jerusalem was located). This means he was a high-ranking official.
"Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites...": Shetharbozenai was another Persian official, likely holding a position of authority under Tattenai. The "Apharsachites" were a group of people, likely a specific administrative or military unit within the province. Their ethnic origin and exact role are not clear from the Bible alone, but they were clearly associated with the Persian administration. They acted as Shetharbozenai's partners or subordinates.
"...who were beyond the River...": This further clarifies that these officials were based in the same region as Tattenai, underscoring their jurisdiction over the area where the Jewish people were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem.
"...sent to Darius the king follows.": This indicates that the letter was addressed to Darius I (also known as Darius the Great), who was the king of the Persian Empire at the time. The content of the letter is what follows in the subsequent verses.
In essence, this verse sets the stage: It tells us who wrote the following letter (high-ranking Persian officials in the region of Judah), and to whom it was addressed (King Darius). It is a formal introduction, establishing the authority and context for the communication that is about to be presented. The letter itself is important because it shows how the Persian administration reacted to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, and how they sought confirmation from the king about its legitimacy.