Ezra 5:3–7

The temple successfully rebuilt

Letter to Darius

At that time Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?” 4 They also asked, “What are the names of the men constructing this building?” 5 But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.

6 This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai, governor of TransEuphrates and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates, the officials of Trans-Euphrates, sent to King Darius. 7 The report they sent him read as follows:

No sooner had the work resumed than renewed opposition threatened to crush the enthusiasm of the people. The project was challenged by Tattenai, the Persian governor of the whole area west of the Euphrates. Judah was apparently a subdivision of the province under his control. Tattenai may have been called to investigate the situation by the enemies of Judah, but Tattenai himself was a fair, conscientious administrator, who carried out his duty in a responsible way.