In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Terumah (1 Kings 5:12[26]-6:13), Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson provide volumes of contextual insight into this seemingly straight-forward “How to Build a Temple” portion. We learn the importance of the “480 years” date given in this passage, that the forced labor used to build Solomon’s Temple compares favorably to modern practices, and how the coloring of the “hewn stones” beautified the Temple.

Gordon offers a political reason the Canaanite word “Ziv” may have been used here. We learn the word of the week—“d’veer” (dalet-bet-yod-reish)—and its connection to the insect world. While the word, “quarry’ doesn’t appear in the Hebrew text, Gordon tells us what the text does say and gives a fascinating history of the legends Rabbis have spun about a shamir—a mythical worm that makes a quarry unnecessary. We learn how the legends associated with this worm led the Pharisees to suppose that Yeshua had tapped into the power of demons. In closing, Gordon prayed that listeners find all knowledge in God’s word and come before him in truth.

"And the house which king Solomon built for Yehovah..." (1 Kings 6:2)

I look forward to reading your comments!

Download Prophet Pearls Terumah

Related Posts:

The Original Torah Pearls - Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)

Torah and Prophet Pearls

Hebrew Voices Episodes

Support Team Studies

Nehemia Gordon's Teachings on the Name of God