What is tirshatha in the Bible?

Answer  
  

The word *tirshatha* is probably of Persian origin and references the title of a Persian deputy or governor of an area. The Hebrew word is found five times in the Old Testament: Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65, 70; 8:9; and 10:1\. The word is found in the King James Version as a transliteration of the Hebrew word.  
  

A transliteration simply reproduces the pronunciation of the word in the source language without making an attempt to give its meaning. Names and titles are often transliterated, as the “meaning” of a name is not as important as its pronunciation. In addition, titles may have no exact equivalent in the target language. Transliteration may also be used when the proper translation of a particular word is in question. For instance, the English word *baptize* is simply a transliteration of the Greek word *baptizo*. (At the time of the KJV translation, as today, there was controversy over the mode of baptism, so instead of translating the word as “immerse” or “dip,” the translators decided on a transliteration that would be ambiguous.)  
  

Most modern versions of the Bible translate *tirshatha*, giving an approximate meaning. The NIV, NASB, and ESV all translate the word as “governor.” It is used to refer to [Zerubbabel](Zerubbabel-in-the-Bible.html) and [Nehemiah](life-Nehemiah.html), who were the local territorial rulers over Jerusalem and the surrounding area, appointed by the king of Persia.  
  

The word *governor* will convey some ideas not present in the original if the reader automatically thinks of state governors in the United States. However, it does convey a more accurate picture than the transliteration *tirshatha*, and it makes for much smoother reading than “local territorial ruler.”  
  

