Tattenai was a Persian governor of the province "Beyond the River," which included the region of Judea during the time of the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. His role is documented in the Book of Ezra, where he is depicted as an official who questioned the Jews' authority to rebuild the temple after the Babylonian exile.

Biblical Account:

Tattenai's involvement is primarily recorded in Ezra 5 and 6. In Ezra 5:3-4 , it is written: "At that time Tattenai, governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates came to them and asked, 'Who gave you the authority to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?' They also asked, 'What are the names of the men who are constructing this building?'"

Tattenai's inquiry was not necessarily antagonistic but rather a fulfillment of his duties as a governor to ensure that the construction was authorized by the Persian king. The Jews, led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua, responded by explaining that they were rebuilding the temple under the decree of Cyrus, king of Persia, who had originally authorized the reconstruction.

Official Correspondence:

Tattenai, along with Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues, wrote a letter to King Darius to clarify the situation and seek confirmation of the Jews' claims. This letter is recorded in Ezra 5:6-17. In it, Tattenai provides a detailed account of the Jews' explanation and requests that the king verify the existence of Cyrus's decree in the royal archives.

King Darius's Response:

King Darius responded favorably to the Jews' cause. After a search of the archives, a scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana, confirming Cyrus's decree. In Ezra 6:6-7 , Darius instructs Tattenai: "Now then, Tattenai, governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and your associates and officials of that region, you must stay away from that place. Leave the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its original site."

Furthermore, Darius ordered that the expenses for the rebuilding be paid from the royal treasury and that the builders be provided with whatever they needed, including animals for sacrifices, as recorded in Ezra 6:8-10.

Historical and Theological Significance:

Tattenai's actions, while initially appearing as a potential obstacle, ultimately led to the reaffirmation of the Jews' right to rebuild the temple. His correspondence with King Darius highlights the providential hand of God in ensuring the continuation of the temple's reconstruction, despite opposition and bureaucratic challenges. Tattenai's role underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and faithfulness in the restoration of Israel, as God used even foreign officials to accomplish His purposes.

Tattenai's account serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the assurance that God can use any means, including secular authorities, to fulfill His divine plans.TATTENAI

tat'-e-ni (tattenay, various forms in the Septuagint; the King James Version Tatnai, tat'ni, tat'na-i'): A Persian governor, who was the successor of Rehum in Samaria and some other provinces belonging to Judah, bordering on Samaria. He governed the provinces during the reign of Darius Hystaspis and Zerubbabel (Ezra 5:3, 6; Ezra 6:6, 13). He was friendly to the Jews, and when he heard adverse reports from Jerusalem he suspended judgment till he had investigated the matter on the ground, and then reported to the Persian government in a very moderate manner. In 1 Esdras 6:3, 7, 27; 7:1 he is called "Sisinnes."

S. L. Umbach

8674. Tattenay -- Tattenay
... Tattenay. 1 . Tattenay. Transliteration: Tattenay Phonetic Spelling:
(tat-ten-ah'-ee) Short Definition: Tattenai. ... prefect NASB Word Usage Tattenai (4). ...
/hebrew/8674.htm - 5kTattenai (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia TATTENAI. ... In 1 Esdras 6:3, 7, 27; 7:1 he is called
"Sisinnes." SL Umbach. Multi-Version Concordance Tattenai (4 Occurrences). ...
/t/tattenai.htm - 8k

Tat'tenai (4 Occurrences)
Tat'tenai. Tattenai, Tat'tenai. Tattler . Multi-Version Concordance
Tat'tenai (4 Occurrences). Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to ...
/t/tat'tenai.htm - 7k

Shethar-bozenai (4 Occurrences)
... thar-boz'-e-ni, she'-thar-boz'-ni, -boz'-na-i, (shethar boznay, meaning uncertain):
The name of a Persian (?) official mentioned with Tattenai in connection ...
/s/shethar-bozenai.htm - 9k

Shetharbozenai (4 Occurrences)
... thar-boz'-e-ni, she'-thar-boz'-ni, -boz'-na-i, (shethar boznay, meaning uncertain):
The name of a Persian (?) official mentioned with Tattenai in connection ...
/s/shetharbozenai.htm - 9k

Colleagues (8 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a ...
/c/colleagues.htm - 8k

Associates (26 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a ...
/a/associates.htm - 14k

She'thar-boz'enai (4 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, and said thus unto them: 'Who gave ...
/s/she'thar-boz'enai.htm - 7k

Trans-euphrates (12 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a ...
/t/trans-euphrates.htm - 9k

Companions (58 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a ...
/c/companions.htm - 23k

Bozenai (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a ...
/b/bozenai.htm - 7k

Who was Darius in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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