Original Word: יֹתֶרֶת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: yothereth
Pronunciation: yo-teh'-reth
Phonetic Spelling: (yo-theh'-reth)
KJV: caul
NASB: lobe
Word Origin: [feminine active participle of H3498 (יָתַר - left)]

1. the lobe or flap of the liver (as if redundant or outhanging)

caul, the lobe or flap of the liver

Feminine active participle of yathar; the lobe or flap of the liver (as if redundant or outhanging) -- caul.

see HEBREW yathar

Word Origin
from yathar
Definition
appendage
NASB Translation
lobe (11).

יֹתֶ֫רֶת noun feminine appendage (technical term of P); — most probably (fat) appendage, a (fatty) mass at opening of liver of sacrificial animal, extending to kidneys (see Di Dr^{Polychr. Bible, Leviticus 3:4}); **GFM (Dec. 28, 1899, privately points out that fat parts are always distinguished from this; compare now on יתדת Id.^{SACRIFICE EB 4206} and especially Id.^{Oriental. Stud. für Th. Nöldeke (1906), 761}, where it is shewn to be the caudate lobe of the liver. — הַיֹּתֶרֶת עַלהַֿכָּבֵד Exodus 29:13; Leviticus 3:4,10,15; Leviticus 4:9; Leviticus 7:4; מִןהַֿכָּבֵד ׳הַיּ Leviticus 9:10; construct יֹתֶרֶת הַכָּבֵד Exodus 29:22; Leviticus 8:16,25; Leviticus 9:19 (all P).

Anatomical Context and Symbolic Meaning

The Hebrew noun יֹתֶרֶת denotes the prominent lobe of the liver—an inner organ hidden from ordinary sight yet essential for life. In the sacrificial narratives, this particular piece of anatomy is singled out again and again, marking it as a bodily emblem of what is deeply interior, vital, and guarded.

Role in the Sacrificial System

The eleven canonical occurrences are confined to the legislation and enactment of Israel’s offerings (Exodus 29; Leviticus 3, 4, 7, 8, 9). Each reference joins the lobe of the liver with “all the fat that covers the entrails” and “the two kidneys.” Together these parts form a distinct bundle to be placed on the altar’s fire.

• Exodus 29:13 sets the pattern: “Take all the fat that covers the entrails, the lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar.”
• The peace offering (Leviticus 3:4, 10, 15) repeats the same requirement, whether the animal is from the herd or the flock.
• The sin offering (Leviticus 4:9) and the guilt offering (Leviticus 7:4) follow suit.
• Moses’ ordination rites for Aaron and his sons (Leviticus 8:16, 25; 9:10, 19) demonstrate faithful obedience to these earlier commands.

By calling for the same inner portions across multiple offerings, Scripture stresses that atonement, fellowship, and consecration all orbit around the surrender of life’s hidden core to God.

Priestly Handling and Holiness

Priests were to remove the יֹתֶרֶת intact and place it upon the burning altar. The action kept the Israelite imagination fixed on the holiness of God who sees “not as man sees” (1 Samuel 16:7). While the worshiper laid hands on the animal’s head, signifying identification, the priest reached into the cavity of the sacrifice, signifying divine scrutiny of the heart. The altar flame, never to go out (Leviticus 6:12-13), consumed these inmost parts first, preaching by action that inner realities must be purified before outward fellowship is possible.

Typological Significance Pointing to Christ

Hebrews 10:1 reminds readers that “the law is only a shadow of the good things to come.” The repeated offering of the liver lobe foreshadows the Savior who would yield His innermost life entirely to the Father. In Gethsemane He prayed, “Not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42), handing over the deepest affections of His soul. On the cross “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). The hidden parts consumed on Israel’s altars anticipate the total self-donation of the Son.

Historical and Cultural Insights

Ancient Near Eastern rituals sometimes reserved the liver for divination, but biblical worship rejects such superstition by dedicating the lobe exclusively to Yahweh. This distinction underscored Israel’s separation from pagan practices and affirmed that all life and knowledge belong to the covenant God, not to omens.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Heart Religion: The prominence of the יֹתֶרֶת in sacrificial law calls modern believers to yield hidden motives, thoughts, and desires to the sanctifying fire of the Spirit (Romans 12:1-2).
2. Pastoral Preparation: Those who minister, like the priests of old, must deal first with their own inner life before handling holy things (1 Timothy 4:16).
3. Corporate Worship: Congregations should remember that true worship engages the depths of the soul, not merely external forms (John 4:24).

Theological Reflection

Scripture never wastes detail. By requiring the surrender of the liver lobe in every major offering, God teaches that fellowship with Him is an affair of the deepest interior being. The יֹתֶרֶת therefore stands as a small but potent witness that the Lord, who examines minds and hearts (Jeremiah 17:10), graciously provides a way for those hearts to be purified, culminating in the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

הַיֹּתֶ֙רֶת֙ הַיֹּתֶ֤רֶת היתרת וְיֹתֶ֖רֶת ויתרת יֹתֶ֣רֶת יֹתֶ֤רֶת יתרת haiyoTeret hay·yō·ṯe·reṯ hayyōṯereṯ veyoTeret wə·yō·ṯe·reṯ wəyōṯereṯ yō·ṯe·reṯ yoTeret yōṯereṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts