Shethar-bozenai שְׁתַר בּוֹזְנַי
Persian official who questioned the Jews' temple rebuilding
Who is Shethar-bozenai in the Bible?
Shethar-bozenai was a Persian official who, along with Governor Tattenai, challenged the Jewish people's authority to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem during the post-exile period (Ezra 5:3). He and his associates sent a formal inquiry to King Darius I, questioning the legitimacy of the construction project (Ezra 5:6). When Darius responded with a decree authorizing the temple's reconstruction, Shethar-bozenai obediently complied and ceased his opposition, even assisting in the project's completion (Ezra 6:6, 6:13). His role illustrates both the obstacles the Jewish people faced in restoring their religious life after the Babylonian exile and how divine providence worked through Persian imperial authority to enable their return.
Biography
Shethar-bozenai was a Persian official who, along with Tattenai the governor and their associates, questioned the Jews' authority to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (Ezr.5.3). They sent a letter to King Darius, inquiring about the legitimacy of the Jews' actions (Ezr.5.6). In response, Darius issued a decree confirming the Jews' right to rebuild the temple and instructing Shethar-bozenai and his colleagues not to interfere (Ezr.6.6). Upon receiving the king's decree, Shethar-bozenai and the others diligently carried out the order, allowing the Jews to continue their work on the temple (Ezr.6.13). Shethar-bozenai's actions demonstrate the challenges faced by the Jews in their efforts to restore their religious and cultural identity after the Babylonian exile, as well as the role of Persian authorities in shaping the course of Jewish history during this period.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEzra 4 verses
- Ezra 5:3
"At that time Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates went to the Jews and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”"
Study Ezra → - Ezra 5:6
"This is the text of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates, the officials in the region, sent to King Darius."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 6:6
"Therefore Darius decreed: To Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and your associates and officials in the region: You must stay away from that place!"
Study Ezra → - Ezra 6:13
"In response, Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates diligently carried out what King Darius had decreed."
Study Ezra →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁתַר בּוֹזְנַי |