תִּרְשָׁתָא (tir.sha.ta)
tir.sha.ta
governor
N:N-M-TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-T
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tirshatha is a loanword from Old Persian, functioning as an official title for the governor of Judea during the post-exilic period. It appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, specifically within the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, marking the administrative structure established under Persian rule.
Its most prominent usage identifies Nehemiah himself in Nehemiah 10:1 and 2:7, where he is referred to by this title rather than his personal name. This linguistic choice highlights the political reality of the time: the community was governed by a Persian-appointed official who held significant authority over the rebuilding efforts and civic order in Jerusalem.
Translators typically render tirshatha as "governor" or "prefect," though these English terms can feel generic compared to the specific bureaucratic weight of the original. The word serves as a reminder that the restoration of Judah was not merely a spiritual revival but a civic project operating within the complex legal framework of the ancient Near Eastern empires.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tirshatha is a loanword from Old Persian that simply means "governor." It appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, always referring to the official leader of Judah during the post-exilic period. In Nehemiah 8:9, we see this title applied to Nehemiah himself as he stands alongside Ezra the priest. This pairing shows how civil authority and spiritual teaching worked together to restore the community’s life.
For your faith today, this word reminds us that God uses earthly structures to accomplish His purposes. The rebuilding of Jerusalem was not just a spiritual revival but also a civic project requiring order and leadership. When you face challenges in your own life, remember that God can use ordinary roles and responsibilities to bring about restoration and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ governor2×
- [was] the/ governor1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/תִּרְשָׁ֙תָא֙2×
- הַ/תִּרְשָׁ֡תָא1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 8:9
Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “Today is holy to Yahweh your God. Don’t mourn, nor weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.
This verse identifies Nehemiah by his official title alongside Ezra, showing how civil leadership partnered with spiritual teaching to encourage the people during a time of repentance.
-
Ezra 2:63
The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and with Thummim.
The governor uses his authority to protect the sanctity of priestly duties, ensuring that only those with proper lineage could serve in holy matters until divine guidance was clear.
-
Nehemiah 7:65
The governor told them not to eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to minister with Urim and Thummim.
Echoing Ezra’s earlier decision, this occurrence reinforces the consistent application of religious law by the governor to maintain purity within the restored community.