תְּרוּמָה (te.ru.mah)
te.ru.mah
contribution
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 47 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun terumah denotes a contribution or offering, specifically one that is lifted up and set apart for sacred use. Derived from the root meaning "to rise" or "to lift," it describes items physically elevated as part of a ritual act. In the Pentateuch, this term frequently appears in instructions for building the tabernacle and supporting the priesthood, covering materials like gold, silver, and fine fabrics brought by the people (Exodus 25:2-3).
A distinct nuance emerges in priestly texts where terumah refers to a "heave offering," often associated with the shoulder portion of sacrifices given to Aaron and his sons. This specific usage highlights the physical act of lifting the gift before it was assigned to the priests (Leviticus 7:34). While sometimes translated simply as "gift" or "oblation," the word carries the weight of separation, marking ordinary goods as holy through this deliberate act of elevation.
Translators often render terumah as "heave offering" when the context involves ritual separation for the clergy, but use "contribution" or "offering" in broader contexts like temple maintenance. The term underscores a theological principle: worship involves not just giving, but designating something as distinct from the common world. This act of lifting signifies that the resource now belongs to God’s service rather than human utility.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word terumah comes from a root meaning 'to rise' or 'to lift.' In ancient Israel, this was not just a donation but a physical act of elevation. When people brought gold, silver, or portions of their food, they lifted them up to show that these items were leaving ordinary use for sacred service. This simple gesture marked a shift in ownership: what belonged to the person now belonged to God.
For your life today, this concept invites you to consider how you set apart your resources. It is easy to view our time, money, and talents as strictly personal property. However, terumah suggests that when we intentionally 'lift up' a portion of what we have for spiritual purposes, we are acknowledging God's ultimate claim on everything. This act of separation transforms common things into tools for holy work.
You do not need to perform a ritual lift to practice this spirit. It begins with a willing heart that decides to reserve part of your life for God’s service. Whether it is a financial gift, a moment of prayer, or an act of kindness, designating something as terumah reminds us that our offerings are meant to build up the community and honor the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 47 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] contribution of13×
- the/ contribution9×
- a contribution9×
- and/ [the] contribution of3×
- contributions2×
- [is] a contribution2×
- <the> contribution of2×
- like/ a contribution of1×
- in/ [the] contribution of1×
- for/ [the] contribution of1×
- for the/ contributions1×
- contributions/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְּרוּמַ֣ת12×
- תְרוּמָ֖ה3×
- הַ/תְּרוּמָ֗ה3×
- תְּרוּמָ֖ה2×
- תְּרוּמָ֔ה2×
- תְּרוּמָ֑ה2×
- תְּרוּמַ֥ת2×
- הַ/תְּרוּמָ֔ה2×
- תְּרוּמֹתָ֑/י1×
- תְּרוּמֹ֣ת1×
- תְּרוּמָתָ֖/ם1×
- תְּרוּמָתִֽ/י\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 25:2
“Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall take my offering.
This verse establishes the foundational principle that the offering must come from a willing heart, linking the physical act of giving to internal devotion.
-
Leviticus 7:34
For the waved breast and the heaved thigh I have taken from the children of Israel out of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel.’”
Here the term specifies the 'heaved thigh' given to Aaron, highlighting the ritual elevation that designated this portion exclusively for priestly sustenance.
-
Exodus 35:21
They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments.
This occurrence shows the communal response where everyone whose spirit made them willing brought their specific materials for the sanctuary's construction.
-
Numbers 18:11
“This is yours, too: the wave offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the children of Israel. I have given them to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a portion forever. Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it.
The text declares these wave offerings as a permanent portion for Aaron and his family, securing their livelihood through the people's lifted gifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does terumah mean in the Bible?
How is terumah different from other types of offerings?
Who received the terumah in the Old Testament?
Why is a 'willing heart' important in this context?
Every Occurrence (47 verses across 11 books)
Exodus 12 verses
“Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you…
Exodus 25:3This is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, bronze,
Exodus 29:27You shall sanctify the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the wave offering, which is waved, and which is…
Exodus 29:28It shall be for Aaron and his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel; for it is a wave offering. It…
Exodus 30:13They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are counted, half a shekel according to the shekel of the…
Exodus 30:14Everyone who passes over to those who are counted, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the offering to Yahweh.
Exodus 30:15The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when they give the offering of…
Exodus 35:5‘Take from among you an offering to Yahweh. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as Yahweh’s offering: gold,…
Exodus 35:21They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh’s…
Exodus 35:24Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought Yahweh’s offering; and everyone with whom was found…
Exodus 36:3They received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the…
Exodus 36:6Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman…