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יֹתֶרֶת

𐤉𐤕𐤓𐤕

yôthereth

H3508 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יeae8 to remain, be left over, protrude, be supplementary

Definition

An anatomical term signifying the lobe or protruding appendage of the liver, particularly referring to the 'caudate lobe' or an outlying flap of the liver in sacrificial animals. In the priestly texts, especially those concerning animal sacrifice, it designates a specific part of the liver that is set apart for ritual purposes. The word connotes the idea of something protruding, projecting, or leftover/apportioned beyond the main body, reflecting the physical appearance of this organ part.

Semantic Range

lobe of the liver, protruding flap or appendage of the liver in animals, anatomical surplus or projection, ritual portion designated in sacrificial context

Root / Etymology

From the root יתר (y-t-r), meaning 'to remain, be left over, protrude, be additional.' יֹתֶרֶת is a feminine noun formation, possibly patterned after a participial or adjectival structure, and describes that which is supplemental or projects beyond—the lobe or appendage of the liver.

Historical & Contextual Notes

יֹתֶרֶת appears primarily in priestly literature (Exodus, Leviticus), always in the context of sacrificial ritual, where it identifies the specific lobe (caudate lobe) of the liver that is to be burned on the altar. Ancient Israelite sacrificial prescriptions distinguish this term from other non-sacrificial anatomical descriptions of the liver. Later Jewish tradition refers to this as the 'caul,' but this English term can confuse, as it is not a precise anatomical equivalent. The word highlights the specialized priestly language of the Torah and does not occur outside ritual usage. Cognate forms and meanings are found in later Hebrew and related Semitic languages, where the notion of surplus, protrusion, or something secondary or additional persists. The distinction from other Hebrew terms such as כָּבֵד (kaved, 'liver') is clear: יֹתֶרֶת always refers to a specific additional/protruding part, never the entire organ. English translations ('caul,' 'lobe,' or 'appendage') often miss the connection with the root idea of surplus or protrusion.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine active participle of יָתַר; the lobe or flap of the liver (as if redundant or outhanging); caul.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יתר (y-t-r) — to remain, be left over, protrude, be additional

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1956 הוֹתִיר Hothir
H3148 יוֹתֵר and surplus
H3491 יָתוּר leftover gleaning
H3492 יַתִּיר in Yattir
H3493 יַתִּיר Exceeding-One

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3508-01 הַ/יֹּתֶ֨רֶת֙ hayoteret HTd/Ncfsa lobe the protruding liver-lobe 7
H3508-03 יֹתֶ֤רֶת yoteret HNcfsc the lobe protruding liver-lobe of 3
H3508-02 וְ/יֹתֶ֖רֶת veyoteret HC/Ncfsc and the lobe protruding liver-lobe of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3508-01 Exodus 29:13 הַ/יֹּתֶ֨רֶת֙ hayoteret HTd/Ncfsa the lobe the protruding liver-lobe
H3508-03 Exodus 29:22 יֹתֶ֤רֶת yoteret HNcfsc the lobe protruding liver-lobe of
H3508-01 Leviticus 3:4 הַ/יֹּתֶ֨רֶת֙ hayoteret HTd/Ncfsa lobe the protruding liver-lobe
H3508-01 Leviticus 3:10 הַ/יֹּתֶ֨רֶת֙ hayoteret HTd/Ncfsa lobe the protruding liver-lobe
H3508-01 Leviticus 3:15 הַ/יֹּתֶ֨רֶת֙ hayoteret HTd/Ncfsa lobe the protruding liver-lobe
H3508-01 Leviticus 4:9 הַ/יֹּתֶ֨רֶת֙ hayoteret HTd/Ncfsa protuberance the protruding liver-lobe
H3508-01 Leviticus 7:4 הַ/יֹּתֶ֨רֶת֙ hayoteret HTd/Ncfsa the lobe the protruding liver-lobe
H3508-03 Leviticus 8:16 יֹתֶ֣רֶת yoteret HNcfsc the lobe protruding liver-lobe of
H3508-03 Leviticus 8:25 יֹתֶ֣רֶת yoteret HNcfsc the lobe protruding liver-lobe of
H3508-01 Leviticus 9:10 הַ/יֹּתֶ֤רֶת hayoteret HTd/Ncfsa lobe the protruding liver-lobe
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