תְּרוּמָה
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
Definition
The Hebrew word תְּרוּמָה (terumah) fundamentally means 'that which is lifted up' or 'a contribution.' In the Old Testament, it most often refers to a sacred offering or gift dedicated to God, especially the 'heave offering' from the sacrifices (e.g., Exodus 29:27-28). It also describes the voluntary contributions of materials for building the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:2-3) and the mandatory half-shekel tax for the sanctuary service (Exodus 30:13-15). In broader contexts, it can denote tribute given to a human authority, such as the offerings given to priests (Numbers 18:24).
Biblical Usage
תְּרוּמָה is used 63 times, predominantly in the Pentateuch (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) in the context of Israel's worship system. Its primary usage is for sacred offerings: the 'heave offering' from peace offerings (Leviticus 7:14, 32), contributions for the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:5, 24), and the sanctuary tax (Exodus 30:13-15). It is also used for the portion given to the priests and Levites (Numbers 18:24-29). Later books, like Ezekiel and Chronicles, use it in similar cultic contexts, maintaining its association with dedicated gifts.
Etymology
Derived from the root רוּם (rum, H7311), meaning 'to be high' or 'to lift up.' The noun form תְּרוּמָה literally means 'a lifting' or 'that which is raised.' This etymology directly reflects the ritual action of lifting a portion of a sacrifice or offering to dedicate it to God. The concept is one of elevation and separation for a holy purpose.
Semantic Range
תְּרוּמָה is theologically significant as it embodies the principles of voluntary devotion and mandatory obligation in worship. It illustrates that giving to God involves both heartfelt contribution (Exodus 25:2) and obedient participation in His prescribed system (Exodus 30:15). The act of 'lifting' the offering symbolizes its transfer from the common to the sacred, highlighting God's holiness and the believer's call to consecrate their resources. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by revealing that offerings were not merely payments but acts of worship that acknowledged God's elevation above all.
In ancient Israelite culture, a תְּרוּמָה was not a casual gift but a formal, ritualized contribution integral to the community's relationship with God. The 'heave offering' involved a specific ceremonial motion of lifting the portion, physically enacting its dedication. Contributions for the Tabernacle were a communal project reflecting collective identity and devotion. The mandatory half-shekel (Exodus 30:13-15) emphasized equality before God, as both rich and poor gave the same amount, differing from modern proportional giving.
קָרְבָּן (qorban, H7133) — a general term for any offering or sacrifice, broader than תְּרוּמָה. מִנְחָה (minchah, H4503) — often a grain offering or tribute gift, sometimes overlapping but typically not a 'lifted' portion. אִשֶּׁה (isheh, H801) — a fire offering, a specific type of sacrifice consumed on the altar. מַתָּנָה (mattanah, H4979) — a general word for a gift, without the specific cultic or 'lifted' connotation of תְּרוּמָה.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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