Original Word: תְּשׂוּמֶת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: tsuwmeth
Pronunciation: teh-soo'-meth
Phonetic Spelling: (tes-oo-meth')
KJV: + fellowship
NASB: security
Word Origin: [from H7760 (שׂוּם שִׂים - put)]

1. a deposit, i.e. pledging

fellowship

From suwm; a deposit, i.e. Pledging -- + fellowship.

see HEBREW suwm

Word Origin
from sum
Definition
a pledge, security
NASB Translation
security (1).

תְּשׂ֫וּמֶת noun feminine (deposit, then, construct ׳יַד ׳ת pledge; security, Leviticus 5:21 (P; "" מִּקָּדוֺן).

II. שׂום, שׂים (perhaps √ of following; compare Arabic be inauspicious, ill-luck).

Meaning and Scope

תְּשׂוּמֶת denotes property or valuables placed in the custody of another for safekeeping—“a deposit, a trust.” The term embraces both the object entrusted and the moral obligation that accompanies its care. It presumes a covenant of integrity between giver and guardian, so that the item is returned intact and unaltered.

Occurrence in Scripture

Leviticus 6:2 sets forth the sole biblical instance:

“If someone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor regarding a deposit or security entrusted to him, or through robbery or extortion…”.

Here the unfaithfulness is directed first toward the LORD, underscoring that breaches of human trust violate divine law.

Historical Background

Ancient Near Eastern law codes (e.g., Hammurabi §§120–126) regulated deposits, but the Mosaic stipulations stand apart by rooting the matter in covenant obedience. Israel’s legal framework protected the vulnerable by demanding restitution (Leviticus 6:4–5) and by linking every economic act to worship and holiness (Leviticus 19:35–37).

Theological Implications

1. Sin’s Vertical Dimension: Wronging a neighbor over a deposit is explicitly “against the LORD.” All stewardship is ultimately God-ward (Psalm 24:1).
2. Stewardship: The entrusted object symbolizes the broader reality that life, talents, and resources belong to God and are temporarily placed in human hands (Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Corinthians 4:2).
3. Restitution: Covenant justice requires not only confession but concrete reparation plus “one-fifth more” (Leviticus 6:5), prefiguring the fuller reconciliation accomplished in Christ (Colossians 2:13-14).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Integrity in Finances: Churches and believers must treat tithes, offerings, and benevolence funds as sacred deposits. Transparent accounting and prompt restitution of errors embody Leviticus 6 principles.
• Counseling and Discipline: When trust is broken—whether through embezzlement, mishandled confidences, or misused authority—biblical restitution precedes restored fellowship (Luke 19:8-9).
• Discipleship: Encourage believers to recognize gifts, callings, and relationships as deposits to be guarded (2 Timothy 1:14) and multiplied for the Master’s glory.

Related Concepts and Cross References

Exodus 22:7-13 – laws of safekeeping

Numbers 5:5-8 – restitution to the offended party and to God

Proverbs 3:27-28 – promptness in returning what is due

Ephesians 4:28 – honest labor replacing theft

1 Timothy 6:20 – “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you.”

2 Timothy 2:2 – passing the deposit of sound teaching to faithful men

1 Peter 4:10 – faithful stewardship of grace

Through the solitary appearance of תְּשׂוּמֶת, Scripture binds daily economics to covenant faithfulness, calling God’s people in every age to honesty, restitution, and diligent stewardship of all He entrusts to them.

בִתְשׂ֤וּמֶת בתשומת ḇiṯ·śū·meṯ ḇiṯśūmeṯ vitSumetInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts