Ezra 5

1-17 Restoration of the Temple Resumed

1-2 Prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesy in Judah, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua begin rebuilding with their help.

3-5 Tattenai, governor of Beyond the River province, and Shethar-bozenai challenge the builders, asking for names, but God watches over them until a letter is sent to Darius and he replies. From Jamieson, Fausset and Brown: The Persian empire west of the Euphrates included at this time Syria, Arabia, Egypt, Phoenicia, and other provinces subject to Darius. The empire was divided into twenty provinces, called satrapies. Syria formed one satrapy, inclusive of Palestine, Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and furnished an annual revenue of three hundred fifty talents. It was presided over by a satrap or viceroy, who at this time resided at Damascus.

6-17 In the letter to Darius, Shethar-bozenai tells him about their challenge and the Jews' reply: that Cyrus had not only given them permission to rebuild the temple but had returned the temple vessels to place there. They ask Darius to check the archives and find Cyrus's decree. Tattenai and associates seem to be a lot more fair-minded than earlier opponents (chapter 4). They also tell the Jews’ side of the story.