读《史记》、《汉书》等古代历史文献,常会遇到一些职官名。为了把有关的史实弄清楚,除了需要把这些职官的权力、职务、地位和领属关系弄清外,有时还需了解这些官名命名的由来。这就需要通过训诂的方法来考证。这里且举一例说明训诂与古代官制的关系。“尚书”是个常见的官名。考查这种职官的发展可以知道,尚书始设于秦代,它最初的职责不过是在皇帝左右掌管文 Reading “historical records”, “Han” and other ancient historical documents, often encounter some officials. In order to clarify the relevant historical facts, apart from the need to clarify the powers, positions, status and consular relations of these officials, it is sometimes necessary to understand the origin of these official names. This requires research by means of exhortation. Here and give an example to illustrate the relationship between exegesis and ancient official system. “Shang Shu” is a common official name. Examining the development of this kind of official, we can know that Shang Shu was first established in the Qin Dynasty and its initial responsibility was nothing more than the charge of the emperor