Shethar-boznai is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Ezra. He is identified as an official of the Persian Empire during the reign of King Darius I. His role and actions are significant in the context of the Jewish return from Babylonian exile and the subsequent rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Biblical References:

Shethar-boznai is primarily mentioned in Ezra 5:3 and Ezra 6:6. In these passages, he is depicted as an adversary to the Jewish efforts to rebuild the Temple. Alongside Tattenai, the governor of the region beyond the River (Euphrates), Shethar-boznai questions the authority of the Jews to reconstruct the Temple. The Berean Standard Bible records this encounter as follows:

· Ezra 5:3 : "At that time Tattenai, governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-boznai, and their associates came to them and asked, 'Who gave you the authority to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?'"

· Ezra 6:6 : "Now then, Tattenai, governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-boznai, and your associates and officials in the region, stay away from there."

Historical and Cultural Context:

Shethar-boznai's actions must be understood within the broader context of the Persian Empire's administrative structure. As an official, he was responsible for maintaining order and ensuring that any major construction projects, such as the rebuilding of the Temple, were sanctioned by the central authority. His inquiry into the Jews' activities reflects the bureaucratic processes of the time, where local officials were expected to report any significant developments to the king.

The Persian Empire, under King Cyrus, had initially allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, as recorded in Ezra 1:1-4. However, the work faced opposition and delays, partly due to the interventions of local officials like Shethar-boznai. His involvement highlights the challenges the Jewish community faced in re-establishing their religious and cultural identity in the face of external opposition.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, Shethar-boznai's opposition can be seen as part of the broader narrative of divine providence and faithfulness. Despite the challenges posed by figures like Shethar-boznai, the Jewish people were ultimately able to complete the Temple, as decreed by God through the Persian kings. This underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises, even amidst human opposition.

Role in the Narrative:

Shethar-boznai's role in the narrative serves to illustrate the tension between the Jewish exiles and the surrounding authorities. His actions prompted a response from King Darius, who, upon reviewing the royal archives, reaffirmed the decree of Cyrus and ordered that the work on the Temple should not be hindered. This royal endorsement, as recorded in Ezra 6:1-12, was pivotal in allowing the Jews to continue their work without further interference.

In summary, Shethar-boznai is a minor yet significant figure in the biblical account of the Jewish return from exile. His interactions with the Jewish leaders and subsequent involvement in the Persian administrative response highlight the complexities of rebuilding the Temple and the divine orchestration behind the historical events of the time.Shethar-Boznai

that makes to rot; that seeks those who despise me

Star of splendour, a Persian officer who vainly attempted to hinder the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 5:3, 6; 6:6, 13). SHETHAR-BOZENAI, SHETHAR-BOZNAI

she'-thar-boz'-e-ni, she'-thar-boz'-ni, -boz'-na-i, (shethar boznay, meaning uncertain): The name of a Persian (?) official mentioned with Tattenai in connection with the correspondence with Darius relative to the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 5:3, 6; Ezra 6:6, 12; Codex Vaticanus Satharbouzan; Codex Alexandrinus Satharbouzanai, in Ezra 5:3; Ezra 6:13; Satharbouzanes, in Ezra 5:6; Satharbouzane, in Ezra 6:6; Lucian, throughout, Tharbouzanaios), called in 1 Esdras 6:3, 7, 27; 7:1 "Shathrabuzanes."

Among the conjectures as to the meaning and derivation of the name, the following may be mentioned:

(1) Shethar-boznai may be a corruption of metharboznay = Mithrobouzanes, Old Persian Mithrobauzana-i.e. "Mithra is deliverer."

(2) shathar is identical with the Old Persian Tsithra ("seed," "brilliance"); names have been found that are confounded with this word.

(3) shethar bowzenay may be a title, but sethar, must then be read for shethar.

(4) shethar boznay is equivalent to the Old Persian Sethrabuzana, "empire-delivering"; compare Encyclopedia Biblica, article "Shethar-boznai," and Brown, Driver, and Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament.

Horace J. Wolf

8370. Shethar Bozenay -- a Pers. official
... official NASB Word Usage Shethar-bozenai (4). Shethar-boznai. Of foreign derivation;
Shethar-Bozenai, a Persian officer -- Shethar-boznai. 8369, 8370. ...
/hebrew/8370.htm - 6kShetharboznai (4 Occurrences)
...Shethar-boznai," and Brown, Driver, and Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the
Old Testament. Horace J. Wolf. Multi-Version Concordance Shetharboznai (4 ...
/s/shetharboznai.htm - 9k

Shethar-boznai (4 Occurrences)
Shethar-boznai. Shetharboznai, Shethar-boznai. Sheva . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
(DBY WBS YLT). Shetharboznai, Shethar-boznai. Sheva . Reference Bible.
/s/shethar-boznai.htm - 9k

Tatnai (4 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river,
and Shetharboznai and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath ...
/t/tatnai.htm - 8k

Shethar-bozenai (4 Occurrences)
Shethar-bozenai. Shetharbozenai, Shethar-bozenai. She'thar-boz'enai . Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHETHAR-BOZENAI, SHETHAR-BOZNAI. ...
/s/shethar-bozenai.htm - 9k

Shetharbozenai (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHETHAR-BOZENAI, SHETHAR-BOZNAI.
she'-thar-boz'-e-ni, she'-thar-boz'-ni, -boz'-na-i, (shethar boznay ...
/s/shetharbozenai.htm - 9k

Sheva (2 Occurrences)

/s/sheva.htm - 7k

She'thar-boz'enai (4 Occurrences)
She'thar-boz'enai. Shethar-bozenai, She'thar-boz'enai. Shetharboznai . ... (See
RSV). Shethar-bozenai, She'thar-boz'enai. Shetharboznai . Reference Bible.
/s/she'thar-boz'enai.htm - 7k

Speedily (38 Occurrences)
... Ezra 6:13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their
companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did ...
/s/speedily.htm - 18k

Diligently (85 Occurrences)
... Ezra 6:13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shethar-boznai, and their
companions, because of that which king Darius had sent, did so diligently. ...
/d/diligently.htm - 34k

Hence (47 Occurrences)
... Ezra 6:6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your
companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from ...
/h/hence.htm - 20k

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