Background and Context:
Tattenai was a Persian governor of the province "Beyond the River," which included the region of Judah during the reign of King Darius I of Persia. His role is prominently mentioned in the Book of Ezra, specifically in the context of the rebuilding of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. The Jews had begun rebuilding the temple after returning from Babylonian exile, a project initially authorized by King Cyrus of Persia. However, the work faced opposition and was halted during the reign of King Artaxerxes. When Darius became king, the Jews resumed construction, prompting Tattenai to investigate the matter.

Biblical Account:
The account of Tattenai's involvement is found in Ezra 5:3-17. Upon observing the reconstruction efforts, Tattenai, along with Shethar-Bozenai and their associates, questioned the Jewish leaders about who had authorized the rebuilding of the temple. The Jewish elders responded by recounting the decree of King Cyrus, which permitted them to rebuild the house of God.

Tattenai, seeking to verify this claim, wrote a letter to King Darius. The letter is a formal report and request for clarification regarding the authorization of the temple's reconstruction. In Ezra 5:6-17, the letter is recorded as follows:

"This is the copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, and Shethar-Bozenai and his associates, the officials who were in the province Beyond the River, sent to King Darius. They sent him a report, which was written as follows: 'To King Darius: All peace. Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with large stones, and timber is being laid in the walls. This work is being done with great care and is succeeding in their hands. Then we questioned those elders and asked, "Who gave you a decree to build this house and finish this structure?" We also asked them their names, to inform you, that we might write down the names of their leaders. And this was their reply to us: "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished. But because our fathers angered the God of heaven, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried the people away to Babylon. However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this house of God. He even removed from the temple of Babylon the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem and had carried to the temple of Babylon. Then King Cyrus gave them to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he appointed governor, and instructed him to take these articles and deposit them in the temple in Jerusalem, and to rebuild the house of God on its original site. So this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem. From that time until now, it has been under construction, but it has not yet been completed." Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the royal archives there in Babylon to see if a decree was issued by King Cyrus to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. And let the king send us his decision in this matter.'"

Significance:
Tattenai's letter is significant for several reasons. It highlights the administrative processes of the Persian Empire, where local governors were required to report and seek confirmation from the central authority on matters of importance. The letter also underscores the challenges faced by the Jewish community in re-establishing their religious and cultural identity post-exile. Furthermore, it sets the stage for the subsequent decree by King Darius, which not only confirmed the original decree of Cyrus but also provided additional support for the temple's completion, as recorded in Ezra 6.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, Tattenai's letter and the events surrounding it demonstrate God's providential care and faithfulness to His people. Despite opposition and delays, the rebuilding of the temple was ultimately accomplished, fulfilling the prophetic promises and serving as a testament to God's sovereignty over the affairs of nations. The narrative also illustrates the importance of obedience and perseverance in the face of adversity, as the Jewish leaders remained steadfast in their mission to restore the house of God.