TIRSHATHA tûr shā’ thə (תִּרְשָׁ֨תָא׃֙; LXX ̔Αθερσαθά). A title given to both Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:63; Neh 7:65, 70), and Nehemiah (Neh 8:9; 10:1), which is a Pers. word meaning “governor.” The Old Pers. Avestan tarsta conveyed the meaning of “revered” or “respected,” somewhat equivalent to “His Excellency.” The Pers. satrap or provincial governor was, in effect, a petty official with no great power whose principal functions included the assessment and collection of taxes (Neh 7:70, cf. Ezra 1:8). The Gr. trs. chose to render “Tirshatha” as a proper name, with several forms.