The term "Tirshatha" is a title used in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. It refers to a Persian-appointed governor or leader of the Jewish community during the post-exilic period. The title is of Persian origin and is thought to mean "governor" or "ruler." The role of the Tirshatha was significant in the restoration and governance of the Jewish people following their return from Babylonian exile.

Biblical References:

1. Ezra 2:63 : "The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim." In this context, the "governor" is referred to as the Tirshatha, who had the authority to make decisions regarding religious practices and the community's adherence to the Law.

2. Nehemiah 7:65 : "The governor told them not to eat any of the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim." This passage mirrors the account in Ezra, emphasizing the Tirshatha's role in maintaining religious order and purity.

3. Nehemiah 8:9 : "Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, 'This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.' For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law." Here, Nehemiah is identified as the Tirshatha, highlighting his leadership in the spiritual renewal of the people.

Role and Significance:

The Tirshatha was a pivotal figure in the post-exilic community, tasked with both civil and religious responsibilities. As a governor, the Tirshatha was responsible for the administration of the region, ensuring the implementation of Persian policies while also respecting Jewish customs and laws. This dual role required a delicate balance between political authority and religious leadership.

Nehemiah, one of the most notable figures to hold the title of Tirshatha, exemplified this balance. He was instrumental in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, a project that was both a physical and symbolic restoration of the Jewish community. Nehemiah's leadership extended beyond construction; he also played a crucial role in the spiritual revival of the people, as seen in the public reading and explanation of the Law.

Historical Context:

The use of the title Tirshatha reflects the Persian influence on the Jewish community during the Achaemenid Empire's rule. The Persian kings, such as Cyrus the Great and Artaxerxes, allowed the exiled Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their temple and city. The appointment of a Tirshatha was part of the broader Persian strategy to maintain control over their vast empire by allowing a degree of local autonomy.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the role of the Tirshatha underscores God's providence in the history of Israel. Despite the exile and foreign domination, God used leaders like Nehemiah to fulfill His promises of restoration and renewal. The Tirshatha's leadership was a means through which God preserved His people and facilitated their return to covenant faithfulness.

In summary, the Tirshatha was a key figure in the post-exilic period, serving as a bridge between Persian authority and Jewish religious life. Through leaders like Nehemiah, the title represents God's ongoing work in guiding and restoring His people according to His divine plan.Tirshatha

a governor

A word probably of Persian origin, meaning "severity," denoting a high civil dignity. The Persian governor of Judea is so called (Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65, 70). Nehemiah is called by this name in Nehemiah 8:9; 10:1, and the "governor" (pehah) in 5:18. Probably, therefore, tirshatha=pehah=the modern pasha. TIRSHATHA

ter-sha'-tha, tur'-sha-tha (tirshatha'; Hathersatha): A title which occurs 5 times in Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezra 2:63 Nehemiah 7:65, the American Standard Revised Version and the English Revised Version margin "governor"). In Nehemiah 8:9; Nehemiah 10:1, Nehemiah is called the tirshatha'. In Ezra 2:63 Nehemiah 7:65, 70, it is the title of Sheshbazzar, or Zerubbabel. As in Nehemiah 12:26, Nehemiah is called a pechah, or governor, a title which in Ezra 5:14 is given to Sheshbazzar also, it has been supposed that pechah and tirshatha' were equivalent terms, the former being of Assyrio-Babylonian and the latter of Persian origin. According to Lagarde, it comes from the Bactrian antarekshatra, that is, "he who takes the place of the king." According to Meyer and Scheftelowitz it is a modified form of a hypothetical Old Persian word tarsata. According to Gesenius and Ewald, it is to be compared with the Persian torsh, "severe," "austere," i.e. "stern lord." It seems more probable that it is derived from the Babylonian root rashu, "to take possession of," from which we get the noun rashu, "creditor." In this case it may well have had the sense of a tax-collector. One of the principal duties of the Persian satrap, or governor, was to assess and collect the taxes (see Rawlinson's Persia, chapter viii). This would readily account for the fact that in Nehemiah 7:70 the tirshatha' gave to the treasure to be used in the building of the temple a thousand drachms of gold, etc., and that in Ezra 1:8 Cyrus numbered the vessels of the house of the Lord unto Sheshbazzar. This derivation would connect it with the Aramaic rashya, "creditor," and the New Hebrew rashuth, "highest power," "magistrate."

R. Dick Wilson

8660. tirshatha -- (a Pers. title) governor
... 8659, 8660. tirshatha. 8661 . (a Pers. title) governor. Transliteration: tirshatha
Phonetic Spelling: (teer-shaw-thaw') Short Definition: governor. ...
/hebrew/8660.htm - 6k

The Rebuilding of the Temple.
... the Promised Land better than wealth at Babylon. Zerubbabel was called
Tirshatha, or governor. His kingdom was gone, but his right ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xiii the rebuilding of.htm

The Historical Books.
... received from Artaxerxes Longimanus, king of Persia, in the twentieth year of his
reign (BC446), to go to Jerusalem in the capacity of Tirshatha, or civil ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Tirshatha (5 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah is called by this name in Nehemiah 8:9; 10:1, and the "governor" (pehah)
in 5:18. Probably, therefore, tirshatha=pehah=the modern pasha. ...TIRSHATHA. ...
/t/tirshatha.htm - 10k

Attharates
... the title; the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 AD) gives "Athersatha"; the
King James Version reads "Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha." Tirshatha is the ...
/a/attharates.htm - 6k

Governor (78 Occurrences)
... Elsewhere commonly rendered "prince." (9) shalliT (Genesis 42:6). Elsewhere rendered
"ruler" or "captain." (10) tirshatha' the Revised Version (British and ...
/g/governor.htm - 48k

Nehemi'ah (8 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:9 And Nehemiah, who was the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe,
and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people: 'This day ...
/n/nehemi'ah.htm - 8k

Nehemias
... Neither Nehemias nor Attharias is found in the parallel Ezra 2:63 Nehemiah 7:65,
but ha-tirshatha' equals Tirshatha, "the governor," by whom Zerubbabel must be ...
/n/nehemias.htm - 7k

Zerubbabel (25 Occurrences)
... Zerubbabel was also made a governor of Jerusalem, and performed also the duties
of the tirshatha, an official who was probably the Persian collector of taxes. ...
/z/zerubbabel.htm - 20k

Zedeki'ah (62 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 10:1 Now those that set their seal were: Nehemiah the Tirshatha,
the son of Hachaliah, and Zedekiah; (See RSV). Jeremiah ...
/z/zedeki'ah.htm - 25k

Zidkijah (1 Occurrence)
... Zidkijah (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 10:1 Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the
Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah, (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/z/zidkijah.htm - 7k

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah explained it all to the king, and obtained his permission to go up to
Jerusalem and there to act as tirshatha, or governor of Judea. ...
/n/nehemiah.htm - 24k

Instructing (14 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:9 And Nehemiah -- he 'is' the Tirshatha -- saith (and Ezra the priest,
the scribe, and the Levites who are instructing the people) to all the people ...
/i/instructing.htm - 10k

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