6096. atseh
Lexical Summary
atseh: Counsel, advice, purpose

Original Word: עָצֶה
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `atseh
Pronunciation: ah-tseh
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-tseh')
KJV: backbone
NASB: backbone
Word Origin: [from H6095 (עָצָה - winks)]

1. the spine (as giving firmness to the body)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
backbone

From atsah; the spine (as giving firmness to the body) -- backbone.

see HEBREW atsah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
spine
NASB Translation
backbone (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עָצֶה noun [masculine] either spine or os sacrum, bone close to fat-tail, ׳הֶע Leviticus 3:9.

IV. עצה (√ of following; LagBN 157 compare a land abounding with the trees called ).

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Usage

עָצֶה designates the large, fatty tail of a sheep, a prized portion removed and placed upon the altar in Israel’s sacrificial worship. The single occurrence in Leviticus 3:9 anchors the term firmly within the ritual of the peace (fellowship) offering.

Context within the Peace Offering

Leviticus 3 regulates the zebach shelamim—the voluntary offering celebrating restored fellowship with the LORD. Verse 9 specifies that when a worshiper presents a sheep, “From the sacrifice of his peace offering he shall present to the LORD an offering: all the fat tail, cut off close to the backbone…” (Leviticus 3:9). The tail’s entire mass, together with other fat portions, is set apart for combustion on the altar (Leviticus 3:11, 16). This act symbolizes the transfer of the choicest part of the animal to God, underscoring His supreme worth.

Historical and Cultural Background

Ancient Near Eastern husbandry prized the broad-tailed sheep, whose tail could weigh several kilograms. Contemporary records from Egypt and Mesopotamia mention special carts for transporting such tails. Israel’s law, by reserving the tail exclusively for Yahweh, reoriented a recognized delicacy away from human consumption toward divine honor. Thus the ordinance countered any temptation to retain what was most valuable for oneself.

Theological Significance

1. Priority of God’s Portion: By surrendering the עָצֶה, Israel acknowledged that “the fat belongs to the LORD” (Leviticus 3:16). The best did not nourish the worshiper but ascended in smoke as a pleasing aroma to the covenant God.
2. Celebration of Peace: The shelamim was eaten by the offerer and priest, but only after the tail and other fats were given wholly to God. Fellowship with Him therefore precedes and enables fellowship among His people (cf. 1 John 1:3).
3. Heart Surrender: External ritual pointed to internal disposition. As Samuel later asked, “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to the voice of the LORD?” (1 Samuel 15:22). The giving of the best portion challenged worshipers to yield undivided loyalty.

Christological Foreshadowing

The peace offering anticipates Jesus Christ, “our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). He offered Himself without reserve, satisfying divine justice and reconciling believers to God. The total consecration pictured in the burnt fat tail finds ultimate fulfillment in the Savior’s complete self-giving (Hebrews 10:10).

Connections with Other Sacrificial Texts

Leviticus 7:31–33 – Priests receive the breast and right thigh, but the fat (including the tail) is burned for the LORD.
Deuteronomy 18:3 – Israel’s leaders are reminded again of God’s claim on select portions.
Ezekiel 34:3 – False shepherds who consume the fat indict themselves by taking what belongs to God.

Ministry Application

Pastors and believers today confront the perennial temptation to keep the “fat tail” for personal use—time, resources, talents. Adoration that withholds nothing is the proper response to grace (Romans 12:1). Congregational worship can highlight this truth by emphasizing wholehearted devotion rather than mere obligation.

Summary

Though עָצֶה appears only once, its role in the peace offering vividly illustrates a larger biblical principle: the LORD is worthy of the finest portion. In giving the tail to Him, Israel rehearsed both the costliness of reconciliation and the joy of shared fellowship—a pattern fully realized in the sacrifice of Christ and still instructive for the church’s worship and life.

Forms and Transliterations
הֶעָצֶ֖ה העצה he‘āṣeh he·‘ā·ṣeh heaTzeh
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Leviticus 3:9
HEB: תְמִימָ֔ה לְעֻמַּ֥ת הֶעָצֶ֖ה יְסִירֶ֑נָּה וְאֶת־
NAS: close to the backbone, and the fat
KJV: hard by the backbone; and the fat
INT: the entire close to the backbone shall remove and the fat

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 6096
1 Occurrence


he·‘ā·ṣeh — 1 Occ.

6095
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