Our Walk With God Logo Our Walk With God

Study Resources & Tools

People of the Bible

Tatnai

Years: 520 BC – 519 BC

Gift, a Persian governor (Heb. pehah, i.e., “satrap;” modern “pasha”) “on this side the river”, i.e., of the whole tract on the west of the Euphrates. This Hebrew title pehah is given to governors of provinces generally. It is given to Nehemiah (5:14) and to Zerubbabel ([Hag. 1:1](/hag#Hag.1.1)). It is sometimes translated “captain” ([1 Kings 20:24](/1kgs#1Kgs.20.24); [Dan. 3:2](/dan#Dan.3.2), [3](/dan#Dan.3.3)), sometimes also “deputy” ([Esther 8:9](/esth#Esth.8.9); [9:3](/esth#Esth.9.3)). With others, Tatnai opposed the rebuilding of the temple ([Ezra 5:6](/ezra#Ezra.5.6)); but at the command of Darius, he assisted the Jews (6:1-13).