Ezra 5:6

The copy of the letter that Tatnai, gouernour on this side the Riuer, and Shethar-Boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the Riuer, sent vnto Darius the King: Ezra 5:6 (KJV)

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on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king: Ezra 5:6 (KJV)

Ezra 5:6 belongs to the Book of Ezra, an Old Testament record of the Jewish people after the Babylonian exile. After Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon, he permitted the exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. The narrative in Ezra describes how the returned Jews, led by Zerubbabel the governor of Judah and Jeshua the high priest, began the work of reconstruction. Their efforts, however, encountered opposition from local Persian officials.

In the earlier verses of chapter 5, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encourage the people to resume building. Yet Tatnai, identified as the governor beyond the river (the Euphrates), and his companions question the legitimacy of the Jews’ activity. Tatnai sends a letter to King Darius seeking clarification about the authority to rebuild the temple. The king orders an investigation and discovers the original decree of Cyrus in the archives of Babylon, confirming the Jews’ right to continue the work.

The command recorded in verse 6 is the king’s response to Tatnai and his associates. It reads, “Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence.” This directive orders the officials to stay away from the construction site and to refrain from interfering with the sacred project.

The verse therefore highlights the role of Persian authority in safeguarding the Jewish rebuilding effort. It underscores that divine providence operated through human rulers, ensuring the fulfillment of the promise to restore the house of God. The passage reminds readers that God can work through political powers to protect and advance His purposes for His people.