Ezra 5:3

3 At the same time Tattenai, governor of [the province] Beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: "Who issued you all a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?"

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 and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in {Judah} and in Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them.

2 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak set out and began to build the house of God that is in Jerusalem. And with them the prophets of God [were] helping them.

3 At the same time Tattenai, governor of [the province] Beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: "Who issued you all a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?"

4 Then we asked them this: "What are the names of the men who are building this building?"

5 And the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report came to Darius, and then [answer] was received.