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Rump

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Rump in the Bible?

The rump denotes the fat tail of specific Near Eastern sheep breeds, which was considered a premium cut and mandated for burning on the altar as part of the peace offering in Levitical law.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the rump clarifies the precise dietary and ritual standards of ancient Israelite worship, illustrating how local livestock traits shaped biblical sacrificial laws and the theological concept of holiness through separation.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Rump. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Rump in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Rump clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Rump." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/rump/
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