Shethar-bozenai
is most likely a proper name referring to a scribe that assisted Tattenai. However, it could also be the title of Tattenai since it means “chief clerk of the chancery.” Most Bible translators take it to refer to a person rather than a title. As such, Tattenai was accompanied by his scribe as well as other associates of the Persian government when they went to visit the Jews in Jerusalem and investigate their rebuilding work.
3 At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?”