Tattenai תַּתְּנַי
Persian governor who questioned the Jews' authority to rebuild
Who is Tattenai in the Bible?
Tattenai was the Persian governor of the province Beyond the River during the reign of King Darius, mentioned in Ezra 5:3, 5:6, 6:6, and 6:13. When the Jewish people resumed rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, Tattenai and his associates questioned their authority to do so and reported the matter to King Darius for investigation. After Darius confirmed the original decree by Cyrus authorizing the temple's reconstruction, Tattenai not only allowed the work to continue but also provided financial support from the royal treasury. His role illustrates the Persian administrative policy of overseeing subject peoples' activities while respecting their religious practices, and he ultimately became instrumental in enabling the completion of the second temple.
Biography
Tattenai is mentioned in Ezr.5.3,6 and Ezr.6.6,13 as the governor of the province Beyond the River during the reign of Darius king of Persia. When the Jews resumed rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, Tattenai and his associates questioned their authority to do so and wrote to Darius to investigate the matter. After Darius confirmed Cyrus' decree authorizing the rebuilding, Tattenai allowed the work to continue and even provided support for it from the royal treasury. Tattenai's actions reflect the Persian policy of respecting the religious practices of subject peoples while maintaining oversight of their activities.
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 | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | תַּתְּנַי | Tattenai , a Persian |
Tattenai
ering on Samaria. He governed the provinces during the reign of Darius Hystaspis and Zerubbabel (Ezr 5:3,6; 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
tat'-ler: Only in 1Ti 5:13 for phluaros. A "silly talker," rather than a "revealer of secrets," is meant.
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