עָצֶה (a.tseh)
a.tseh
spine
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun atseh refers specifically to a part of the skeletal structure, identified as either the spine or the sacrum. In the context of the Old Testament, it denotes the bone located near the fat-tail of an animal. This precise anatomical term distinguishes the central structural bone from other parts of the carcass.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Leviticus 3:9. Here, it is part of the instructions for peace offerings, where the priest is commanded to remove the "spine" along with the fat. The removal of this specific bone highlights the meticulous attention to detail required in sacrificial rituals, ensuring that only designated portions were offered to God.
Its singular occurrence underscores the specificity of biblical law regarding animal sacrifice. By naming this particular bone, the text emphasizes the physical reality of the offering and the tangible act of separation. The term serves as a reminder of the concrete details involved in ancient worship practices.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word atseh appears just once in Scripture, marking a specific part of an animal’s skeleton during ancient worship. In Leviticus, it refers to the backbone or spine near the tail. This precise term shows how carefully the Israelites followed God’s instructions for peace offerings. Every detail mattered, from the fat to the very bones.
For us today, this small word reminds us that God cares about the concrete details of our lives and worship. It is not just about big ideas but also about the tangible acts of obedience we perform. When we offer our time, energy, or resources, God sees the whole picture, including the parts we might overlook.
This specificity invites us to bring our full selves to Him. Just as the spine supported the animal’s body, our devotion supports our relationship with God. We can trust that He values every part of what we give, no matter how small it seems.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ backbone1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הֶ/עָצֶ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 3:9
He shall offer from the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to Yahweh; its fat, the entire tail fat, he shall take away close to the backbone; and the fat that covers the entrails, and all the fat that is on the entrails,
This verse specifies the exact anatomical location—the backbone near the tail—that must be removed during the peace offering, highlighting the precision required in ritual sacrifice.