Overview
The term "Tirshatha" (also spelled "Tirsatha") is a Persian title meaning "governor" or "the one to be feared," designating the official appointed by the Persian king to oversee the province of Judea. Both Zerubbabel and later Nehemiah held this position as they helped restore the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile.
Key Scriptures
"These searched among their ancestral registration, but could not find it; so they were deemed unclean and excluded from the priesthood. The Tirshatha told them that they should not eat from the most holy things until a priest could consult Urim and Thummim" (Nehemiah 7:64-65, NASB).
"Now when the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers, arose and built the altar" (Nehemiah 8:1, NASB), with Nehemiah the Tirshatha present.
Application
Recognize that God used pagan governmental structures to accomplish His purposes of restoration and protection for His covenant people.