Shethar-bozenai שְׁתַר בּוֹזְנַי
Persian official who questioned the Jews' temple rebuilding
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 the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River came to them, with Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and asked them, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”"
Study Ezra → - Ezra 5:6
"The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 6:6
"Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, you must stay far from there."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 6:13
"Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions did accordingly with all diligence, because Darius the king had sent a decree."
Study Ezra →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁתַר בּוֹזְנַי | H8370 |