And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
They delivered the king's official orders to his officers and governors in the region west of the Euphrates River. These officials then supported the people and helped with the work on God's temple.
The writer is describing how Persian government officials, after receiving the king's orders, provided support and assistance to the Jewish people and their temple rebuilding project.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during the return from Babylonian exile around 458 BC, when Ezra led a group of Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem under Persian King Artaxerxes I. The Persian Empire had a policy of supporting local religious practices, and the king had given official authorization for the temple restoration. The 'governors on this side the river' refers to Persian administrators who governed the western territories of their empire, including the region where Jerusalem was located.
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