יֹתֶרֶת
the lobe or flap of the liver (as if redundant or outhanging)
Definition
The Hebrew word יֹתֶרֶת (yôthereth) refers specifically to the lobe or flap of the liver in sacrificial animals, described as a hanging or protruding part. In the Old Testament, it is exclusively mentioned in the context of priestly sacrifices, where it is designated for burning on the altar as part of the fat offering to God (e.g., Leviticus 3:4, 10). This anatomical feature is grouped with other internal fats and organs considered the 'choice parts' to be offered to the Lord, never consumed by the priests or people. The term appears uniformly across its eleven occurrences, always denoting this specific sacrificial component.
Biblical Usage
This word is used solely in priestly ritual texts, specifically in Exodus and Leviticus, detailing the procedures for various offerings. It appears in instructions for the burnt offering (Exodus 29:13, 22), peace offerings (Leviticus 3:4, 10, 15), sin offerings (Leviticus 4:9), guilt offerings (Leviticus 7:4), and the consecration of priests (Leviticus 8:16). The pattern is consistent: the יֹתֶרֶת, along with the fat covering the entrails and the two kidneys, is to be removed and burned on the altar as God's portion.
Etymology
Derived from the root יָתַר (yātar, H3498), meaning 'to remain over, to be left over, to excel, or to abound.' יֹתֶרֶת is the feminine active participle form, essentially meaning 'that which is extra' or 'the appendage.' This etymology directly informs its meaning as a 'redundant' or 'protruding' part of the liver, seen as an outhanging lobe.
Semantic Range
While describing a specific organ, יֹתֶרֶת carries theological weight as part of the sacrificial system that taught Israel about consecration and atonement. Its burning on the altar symbolized giving the 'best' or 'choicest' internal parts to God, representing total devotion and the surrender of life. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting the precision and intentionality of God's instructions for worship, where even specific internal organs were designated for His exclusive use, teaching that true worship involves offering God what is most vital and hidden.
In ancient Israelite culture, the liver was considered a significant organ, often associated with the seat of emotions or life in the ancient Near East. The specific identification and removal of the יֹתֶרֶת reflect a detailed, ritualized understanding of animal anatomy for sacred purposes. This precision differs from a modern, purely biological view, as it was embedded in a religious framework where physical elements held symbolic meaning in mediating the relationship between God and His people.
חֵלֶב (ḥēleb, H2459) — This is the general term for 'fat,' which encompasses the יֹתֶרֶת and other fatty tissues offered on the altar. כָּבֵד (kāḇēḏ, H3516) — This is the general word for 'liver,' of which the יֹתֶרֶת is a specific, protruding part.
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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