John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 6:6
Now therefore Tatnai, governor beyond the river ,.... The river Euphrates, that side of it towards the land of Israel; Josephus F26 Ibid. (Antiqu.) l. 11. c. 4. sect. 7. calls this man master of the horse: Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence ; keep at a distance from the Jews, and give them no disturbance, nor interrupt them in their work of building of the temple, but mind your own business and government. read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12
We have here, I. The decree of Cyrus for the building of the temple repeated. To this the Samaritans referred because the Jews pleaded it, and perhaps hoped it would not be found, and then their plea would be over-ruled and a stop put to their work. Search was ordered to be made for it among the records; for, it seems, the tribes had not taken care to provide themselves with an authentic copy of it, which might have stood them in good stead, but they must appeal to the original. It was looked... read more