Ezra 5:6
What does Ezra 5:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 5:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 5:6 means
The narrative now presents a verbatim record: the copy of the letter sent to Darius by Tattenai, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates, identified as the Apharsachites “beyond the River” (west of the Euphrates). This formal introduction assures accuracy and transparency. The officials are not acting in secret or by arbitrary decree; they seek the king’s judgment based on documented facts. The inclusion of the letter in Scripture lets later readers see the case as it was argued, and how God used procedural channels to bring about clarity. The stage is set for a careful investigation into the builders’ authority and the project’s legitimacy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent unto Darius the king;
KJV
King James Version · 1611The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar–boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent unto Darius the king;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This is a copy of the letter which Tattenai, the ruler of the land across the river, and Shethar-bozenai and his friends the Apharsachites, living across the river, sent to Darius the king:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The copy of a letter that Tatnai, governor beyond the river, hath sent, and Shethar-Boznai and his companions, the Apharsachites who <FI>are<Fi> beyond the river, unto Darius the king.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The copy of the letter that Thathanai governor of the country beyond the river, and Stharbuzanai, and his counsellors the Arphasachites, who dwelt beyond the river, sent to Darius the king.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were on this side the river, sent to Darius the king.
Context
Verse 5 ended with a pause for royal review; verse 6 opens the documentation of that process. The senders and region are named, anchoring the letter in the Persian administrative structure. The next verses will include the greeting (verse 7), a description of the building’s progress (verse 8), and a summary of questions and answers exchanged with the Jewish elders (verses 9–16).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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 you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?
- Ezra 4:23
Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
- Ezra 6:6
Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, be ye far from thence:
- Ezra 4:9
then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,
- Ezra 4:11
This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men beyond the River, and so forth.