תְּשׁוּרָה (te.shu.rah)
te.shu.rah
present
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun teshurah denotes a gift or present offered to another person. Its occurrence in Scripture is limited, appearing only once in the Old Testament within the narrative of 1 Samuel 9:7. In this specific context, it refers to the small token of silver that Saul’s servant suggests bringing as an offering to the prophet Samuel.
This single usage highlights the word’s function as a term for a tangible gesture of respect or diplomatic courtesy. The sources identify it simply as a gift, without distinguishing it from other Hebrew words for offerings or sacrifices. It represents a material item given to bridge social distance or honor a recipient, rather than a ritual act of worship.
The rarity of teshurah in the biblical text makes its appearance in 1 Samuel notable. It captures a moment of practical negotiation between Saul’s son and his servant, illustrating how gifts functioned as social currency in ancient Israelite culture. The word remains a straightforward label for this type of interpersonal exchange.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In 1 Samuel 9:7, Saul’s servant mentions a 'present' that has run out of their supplies. This Hebrew word describes a tangible gift given to show respect or bridge social distance. It was not a ritual sacrifice but a practical gesture of courtesy in ancient culture.
For your faith life, this reminds us that small acts of generosity can open doors. When we offer something meaningful, even if it seems small, we honor others and reflect God’s grace. Trust that your simple gifts matter to those you serve.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [is] a gift1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/תְשׁוּרָ֥ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 9:7
Then Saul said to his servant, “But behold, if we go, what should we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our sacks, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”
This verse shows the word used for a material token offered to show respect to the prophet, highlighting its role in social courtesy rather than worship.