Tattenai
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Role: Persian governor beyond the River who investigated the resumed temple rebuilding
- Family: Not specified
- Key Books: Ezra
Biography
Tattenai governed the province west of the Euphrates during the reign of Darius I. When Zerubbabel and Jeshua resumed work on the temple after prophetic encouragement from Haggai and Zechariah, Tattenai asked who had authorized the rebuilding and sent a formal inquiry to Darius.
His opposition was bureaucratic rather than violent. The investigation led to the discovery of Cyrus’s original decree, and Darius ordered Tattenai to stay away from the work and fund it from royal revenues.
Key Events
- Prophets Encourage - Temple construction resumes
- Darius Confirms - Darius answers Tattenai’s inquiry
- Temple Completed - The confirmed decree clears the way for completion
Relationships
- Darius I - Persian king who answered his inquiry
- Zerubbabel - Governor of Judah whose work he investigated
- Jeshua - High priest involved in the rebuilding
Important Verses
- Ezra 5:3-17
- Ezra 6:6-13
Cross-References
- Mentioned in: Ezra
Notes
Tattenai’s letter unintentionally served the restoration effort: the official challenge produced an official confirmation of Jewish permission to rebuild.