Shethar-bozenai is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Ezra. He is identified as a Persian official during the reign of King Darius I, playing a significant role in the events surrounding the rebuilding of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.

Biblical References:

Shethar-bozenai is primarily mentioned in the Book of Ezra, where he appears in the context of the opposition to the reconstruction of the temple. The relevant passages are found in Ezra 5:3-17 and Ezra 6:6-13.

Role and Actions:

In Ezra 5:3, Shethar-bozenai, along with Tattenai, the governor of the region beyond the River (the Euphrates), questions the authority of the Jews to rebuild the temple. The text states: "At that time Tattenai, governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates came to them and asked, 'Who gave you the authority to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?'" (Ezra 5:3). This inquiry reflects the administrative oversight and the political complexities of the Persian Empire, which governed a vast and diverse territory.

Shethar-bozenai's actions are part of a formal investigation into the legitimacy of the Jewish efforts to rebuild the temple. The officials send a letter to King Darius, seeking clarification on whether the Jews had royal permission to undertake the construction. This letter is recorded in Ezra 5:6-17, where they express their concerns and request a search of the royal archives to verify the claims of the Jewish elders.

Response from King Darius:

In response to the inquiry, King Darius orders a search of the archives, which confirms that King Cyrus had indeed issued a decree allowing the Jews to rebuild the temple. Consequently, Darius issues a new decree instructing Tattenai, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates to cease their interference and to allow the work to continue. Ezra 6:6-7 records this directive: "Now therefore, 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. Leave the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its original site" .

Significance:

Shethar-bozenai's involvement highlights the challenges faced by the Jewish community in re-establishing their religious and cultural identity after the exile. His role as an official underscores the bureaucratic processes of the Persian Empire and the importance of royal decrees in the governance of its provinces. The resolution of the conflict, with the support of King Darius, demonstrates the providential care and sovereignty of God in the fulfillment of His promises to His people, as the temple's reconstruction was a crucial step in the restoration of Jewish worship and community life.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The mention of Shethar-bozenai and the events in Ezra reflect the broader historical context of the Persian Empire's administration. The empire was known for its relatively tolerant policies towards the diverse peoples under its rule, often allowing them to maintain their customs and religious practices. The interaction between the Jewish leaders and Persian officials illustrates the complexities of navigating imperial politics while pursuing religious and cultural restoration.

Shethar-bozenai's presence in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the external challenges faced by the Jewish community and the divine intervention that facilitated their return and rebuilding efforts.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
... Shethar Bozenay. 8371 . a Pers. official. Transliteration: Shethar Bozenay Phonetic
Spelling: (sheth-ar' bo-zen-ah'-ee) Short Definition: Shethar-bozenai. ...
/hebrew/8370.htm - 6kShethar-bozenai (4 Occurrences)
Shethar-bozenai. Shetharbozenai, Shethar-bozenai. She'thar-boz'enai . Int. ...
Shetharbozenai, Shethar-bozenai. She'thar-boz'enai . Reference Bible.
/s/shethar-bozenai.htm - 9k

Shetharbozenai (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHETHAR-BOZENAI, SHETHAR-BOZNAI. ... Horace J. Wolf.
Multi-Version Concordance Shetharbozenai (4 Occurrences). ...
/s/shetharbozenai.htm - 9k

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

Tattenai (4 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a ...
/t/tattenai.htm - 8k

Tat'tenai (4 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, and said thus unto them: 'Who gave ...
/t/tat'tenai.htm - 7k

Colleagues (8 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a ...
/c/colleagues.htm - 8k

Associates (26 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a ...
/a/associates.htm - 14k

Shethar (3 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a ...
/s/shethar.htm - 8k

Trans-euphrates (12 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a ...
/t/trans-euphrates.htm - 9k

Companions (58 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a ...
/c/companions.htm - 23k

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