What is a…
Tirshatha
Hebrew: תִּרְשָׁתָא —transliteration: tirshatha —occurrences: 5
This is an ancient high title no longer in use. It is probably of Persian origin and seems to mean “severe,” “stern” or “the feared”—denoting a high civil dignitary. It was perhaps used like the terms His Excellency the king or “most dread sovereign”.
The Persian governor of Judea is called Tirshatha (Ezra 2:63; Neh. 7:65, 70).
Nehemiah is called a Tirshatha in Nehemiah 8:9; 10:1, and the “governor” (pehah) in 5:18.
King Zerubbabel is also called a Tirshatha.
Therefore, tirshatha probably = pehah = the more modern term pasha.
The Legacy Standard Bible and other modern translations render tirshatha with the approximate meaning of “governor”.
The governor said to them that they should not eat from the most holy things until a priest stood with Urim and Thummim. —Ezra 2:63 LSB
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Article Version: June 12, 2024