451. alyah
Lexical Summary
alyah: Upper room, upper chamber

Original Word: אַלְיָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: alyah
Pronunciation: ah-lee-YAH
Phonetic Spelling: (al-yaw')
KJV: rump
NASB: fat tail
Word Origin: [from H422 (אָלָה - take) (in the original sense of strength)]

1. the stout part, i.e. the fat tail of the Oriental sheep

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 Origin
from 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 , compare FlTWB i. 418 a) Exodus 29:22; Leviticus 3:9; Leviticus 7:3; Leviticus 8:25 (all "" חֵ֫לֶב); Leviticus 9:19, probably also 1 Samuel 9:24 for הֶעָלֶיהָ see Gei Dr (compare TristrNat. Hist. Bib. ch. vi RiHWB Schafe SmithDict. Bib. Sheep).

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:
• “Take from the ram the fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails… and burn them on the altar.” (Exodus 29:22–25)
• “From the fellowship sacrifice he shall present… the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone.” (Leviticus 3:9)

The fat tail was therefore:

1. Separated from the carcass with precision (“cut off close to the backbone”), highlighting intentional obedience.
2. Placed on top of the other fat pieces, signifying primacy.
3. Consumed by fire, a fragrant aroma to the LORD, never eaten by worshiper or priest (Leviticus 7:22–25).

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).
2. Holiness and Separation. Fat symbolizes abundance; by forbidding its ordinary use (Leviticus 3:17), Scripture marked Israel as distinct and reminded the people that life’s fullness is derived from and devoted to the LORD.
3. A Token of Covenant Fellowship. The ’alyāh appears prominently in the peace offering (Leviticus 3), the ceremony that celebrated restored communion. As the fat ascended in smoke, worshipers shared the roasted meat, illustrating that communion with God results in fellowship with one another.

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.
• Stewardship. The mandated abstention from tail-fat cautions believers against consuming what belongs to God, encouraging generous giving from the first and finest.
• Teaching and Discipleship. Illustrating the fat tail helps clarify the principle of consecration for congregations unfamiliar with sacrificial imagery.

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’alyāh
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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
HEB: לַיהוָה֒ חֶלְבּוֹ֙ הָאַלְיָ֣ה תְמִימָ֔ה לְעֻמַּ֥ת
NAS: the entire fat tail which he shall remove
KJV: thereof, [and] the whole rump, it shall he take off
INT: to the LORD fat fat the entire close

Leviticus 7:3
HEB: מִמֶּ֑נּוּ אֵ֚ת הָֽאַלְיָ֔ה וְאֶת־ הַחֵ֖לֶב
NAS: its fat: the fat tail and the fat
KJV: of it all the fat thereof; the rump, and the fat
INT: shall offer at the fat and the fat covers

Leviticus 8:25
HEB: הַחֵ֣לֶב וְאֶת־ הָֽאַלְיָ֗ה וְאֶֽת־ כָּל־
NAS: the fat, and the fat tail, and all
KJV: the fat, and the rump, and all the fat
INT: took the fat and the fat and all the fat

Leviticus 9:19
HEB: וּמִן־ הָאַ֔יִל הָֽאַלְיָ֤ה וְהַֽמְכַסֶּה֙ וְהַכְּלָיֹ֔ת
NAS: and from the ram, the fat tail, and the [fat] covering,
KJV: and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth
INT: and from the ram the fat and the covering and the kidneys

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 451
5 Occurrences


hā·’al·yāh — 4 Occ.
wə·hā·’al·yāh — 1 Occ.

450
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