Ezra 5:3

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

Ezra 5:3 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 5:3

At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the
river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions
These were new governors and officers under the king of Persia in those parts, the old ones, Rehum, Shimshai being either dead, or removed upon this new king coming to the throne: these came to the Jews,

and said thus unto them, who hath commanded you to build this house,
and to make up this wall?
for it seems by this time they had raised up the walls of the temple from its foundation to some height; for of these it must be understood, see ( Ezra 4:8 Ezra 4:9 ) for it can hardly be thought they were as yet enclosing it with a wall round about it; now they asked them by what authority they did this? who set them to work? and what were their names? for that this question was asked, though not here expressed, is clear from ( Ezra 4:10 ) and to which an answer is given in the next verse.

Ezra 5:3 In-Context

1 Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zekharyah the son of `Iddo, prophesied to the Yehudim who were in Yehudah and Yerushalayim; in the name of the God of Yisra'el [prophesied they] to them.
2 Then rose up Zerubbavel the son of She'alti'el, and Yeshua the son of Yotzadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Yerushalayim; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetar-Bozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?
4 Then we told them after this manner, what the names of the men were who were making this building.
5 But the eye of their God was on the Zakenim of the Yehudim, and they did not make them cease, until the matter should come to Daryavesh, and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.