Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
A word probably of Persian origin, meaning “severity,” denoting a high civil dignity. The Persian governor of Judea is so called (Ezra 2:63; Neh. 7:65, 70). Nehemiah is called by this name in Neh. 8:9; 10:1, and the “governor” (pehah) in 5:18. Probably, therefore, tirshatha=pehah=the modern pasha.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(always written with the article), the title of the governor of Judea under the Persians, perhaps derived from a Persian root signifying stern, severe, is added as a title after the name of Nehemiah, (Nehemiah 8:9; 10:1) and occurs also in three other places.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
a governor
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
TIR'SHATHA, THE (lord of the province), the title of the Persian governors. Ezr 2:63; Neh 7:65, Neh 7:70; Rom 8:9; Dan 10:1.