Definition: Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Ezra 6:13. It’s a really interesting and somewhat mysterious part of biblical history! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes a group of officials – including Darius the King’s messengers – who were sent to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem after a period of decline. They were instructed to do this quickly . Let’s unpack each part: “Ezra” : This refers to Ezra, a Jewish leader who was tasked with rebuilding the Temple. “6:13” : This is the verse itself. It's a passage from the book of Ezra in the Bible. “Then Tatnai…” : This is an introductory phrase – it’s explaining who is doing this. “…governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions…” : This describes a group of officials who were overseeing the rebuilding. They were stationed in a specific location – along the river – and they had a large entourage (a group of people). We can call them “Shetharboznai” which means "the strong ones" or "those with strength." "...according to that which Darius the king had sent…” : This is crucial. It tells us who is sending these officials. Darius, the King of Persia (modern-day Iran), was sending them – likely as a reward for their efforts or as a way to ensure the rebuilding went smoothly. “so they did speedily.” : This is the key phrase. "Speedily" means quickly . It indicates that these officials were completing the task with great urgency and haste. Putting it all together: Ezra’s officials were sent by Darius the King to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. They were instructed to do this quickly, as they were being overseen by those sending them. Essentially, they were rushing to complete the rebuilding project. Important Note: This passage is a bit of an enigma, and there's still some debate among scholars about its exact meaning and significance. It's part of a larger story of conflict and rebuilding in ancient Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific aspect of this verse further? (e.g., the historical context?) Compare it to another biblical passage? Give you some background on the Temple reconstruction?