Ezra 5:3

At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar–boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?

Cross-references

Ezra 5:6 presents the copy of the letter that Tattenai sent – the written follow-up to the questioning in Ezra 5:3.

Ezra 5:9 repeats the identical question about who gave the decree, recording the same interrogation from a different angle.

Ezra 1:3 is Cyrus’s decree that authorized the temple rebuild, providing the direct answer to the question posed here.

Ezra 6:6 records Darius's reply ordering Tattenai to stay away – the direct resolution to the confrontation in Ezra 5:3.

Ezra 6:13 shows Tattenai and associates obeying Darius's decree – the fulfillment of the response to Ezra 5:3's inquiry.

Nehemiah 2:7-9 shows a similar request for royal authorization for rebuilding, illustrating the same Persian administrative process.