Lexical Summary alyah: Upper room, upper chamber Original Word: אַלְיָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance rump From 'alah (in the original sense of strength); the stout part, i.e. The fat tail of the Oriental sheep -- rump. see HEBREW 'alah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alah Definition the fat tail (of sheep) NASB Translation fat tail (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַלְיָה noun feminine fat tail of sheep, still accounted a delicacy in the East; (Mishna id. ᵑ7, אַלְיְתָה, אַלִּיתָא, etc.; Arabic ![]() Topical Lexicon Definition and Occurrence אַֽלְיָה (’alyāh) refers to the thick, fatty tail of the sheep, a prominent feature of the fat–tailed breeds common to the Ancient Near East. The term appears five times, each in sacrificial contexts: Exodus 29:22; Leviticus 3:9; 7:3; 8:25; 9:19. Anatomical and Agricultural Background Fat-tailed sheep were prized in the Levant for their hardiness; the tail could comprise several pounds of rich fat, a valuable energy store in an arid climate. While surrounding cultures often regarded this fat as a culinary delicacy, the Mosaic Law set it apart exclusively for altar use, underscoring that the choicest portion belonged to the LORD. Liturgical Function In every text where ’alyāh appears, it is named first among the fats placed on the altar: The fat tail was therefore: 1. Separated from the carcass with precision (“cut off close to the backbone”), highlighting intentional obedience. Symbolic and Theological Significance 1. The Best for God. In Near-Eastern cuisine the tail-fat was esteemed; surrendering it taught Israel to give God the finest (Proverbs 3:9). Christological Foreshadowing The whole burnt-offering, including the fat tail, prefigures the total self-giving of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:5–10 stresses that God desires obedience rather than mere ritual; yet the precise surrender of the ’alyāh anticipates the perfection of Christ’s obedience, who offered not only His life but its “richness”—everything He was—upon the cross. The sweet aroma (Ephesians 5:2) answers the fragrant smoke of the tail-fat. Practical Ministry Implications • Worship Leadership. Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8 associate the ’alyāh with priestly ordination, reminding today’s servants that ministry begins with yielding the best of one’s resources and affections to God. Conclusion Though a single anatomical term, אַֽלְיָה unfolds a rich tapestry of devotion: the surrender of the choicest portion, the joy of covenant fellowship, and the anticipation of the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ. As such, it continues to instruct the Church in wholehearted worship and sacrificial living. Forms and Transliterations הָֽאַלְיָ֔ה הָֽאַלְיָ֗ה הָֽאַלְיָ֤ה הָאַלְיָ֣ה האליה וְהָֽאַלְיָ֜ה והאליה hā’alyāh hā·’al·yāh haalYah vehaalYah wə·hā·’al·yāh wəhā’alyāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 29:22 HEB: הָ֠אַיִל הַחֵ֨לֶב וְהָֽאַלְיָ֜ה וְאֶת־ הַחֵ֣לֶב ׀ NAS: from the ram and the fat tail, and the fat KJV: the fat and the rump, and the fat INT: the ram the fat and the fat and the fat covers Leviticus 3:9 Leviticus 7:3 Leviticus 8:25 Leviticus 9:19 5 Occurrences |