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אַלְיָה

𐤀𐤋𐤉𐤄

ʼalyâh

H451 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אֲלִי strong, stout, robust

Definition

A specific anatomical term referring to the large, fatty tail of certain breeds of sheep kept by ancient Israelites; used to denote the protruding, fat-laden tail/rump of sheep, especially those varieties characteristic of the southern Levant and adjacent regions. The term emphasizes the animal's fat reserve at the base of the tail, which was noted for its abundance and culinary or ritual value.

Semantic Range

fatty tail of sheep, fat rump, (anat.) stout tailbase in ritual or culinary contexts

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root אלי (ʼly), which likely means 'strong, robust' or 'stout.' The word represents a noun formation (with -ה ending) signifying something noted for its strong or stout quality, in this case, the prominent, fat tail of certain sheep breeds.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The אַלְיָה features in priestly texts (e.g. Leviticus 3:9; 7:3; 8:25; 9:19) associated with ritual animal offerings, where the removal, handling, or burning of the fat tail is commanded. These references highlight both the anatomical specificity and the cultural importance of the fat tail in the context of sacrifice—this part of the sheep was considered valuable, possibly luxurious, and reserved for particular ritual purposes. The Oriental sheep breed, typified by a large fat tail, was common in the biblical southern Levant. English translations like 'rump' often inadequately render אַלְיָה, as they do not capture the unique, fatty, pendulous tail characteristic of these sheep. The technical specificity means the term rarely appears outside descriptive or cultic contexts, and later language traditions (including rabbinic Hebrew) consistently retain this anatomical and ritual focus. Not to be confused with general terms for 'tail' or generic 'fat.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָלָה (in the original sense of strength); the stout part, i.e. the fat tail of the Oriental sheep; rump.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אלי (ʾ-l-y) — strong, stout, robust

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H452 אֵלִיָּה My God is Yah

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H451-01 הָ/אַלְיָ֣ה haaleyah HTd/Ncfsa the fat tail the stout fat-tail 4
H451-02 וְ/הָֽ/אַלְיָ֜ה vehaaleyah HC/Td/Ncfsa and the fat tail and the stout fat-tail 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H451-02 Exodus 29:22 וְ/הָֽ/אַלְיָ֜ה vehaaleyah HC/Td/Ncfsa and the fat tail and the stout fat-tail
H451-01 Leviticus 3:9 הָ/אַלְיָ֣ה haaleyah HTd/Ncfsa the entire fat tail the stout fat-tail
H451-01 Leviticus 7:3 הָֽ/אַלְיָ֔ה haaleyah HTd/Ncfsa the fat tail the stout fat-tail
H451-01 Leviticus 8:25 הָֽ/אַלְיָ֗ה haaleyah HTd/Ncfsa the fat tail the stout fat-tail
H451-01 Leviticus 9:19 הָֽ/אַלְיָ֤ה haaleyah HTd/Ncfsa the fat tail the stout fat-tail
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