### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H3930}}` (לֹעַ, *lôaʻ*) is a noun derived from the root לוּעַ (to swallow or gulp). Its primary and most direct meaning is "gullet" or "throat," specifically referring to the esophagus or the crop of a bird, the part of the digestive tract responsible for receiving and holding food before digestion. It denotes a specific anatomical part, emphasizing its function in consumption and ingestion. The term carries no inherent metaphorical or abstract semantic range beyond its literal anatomical sense within the biblical corpus.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H3930}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[Leviticus 1:16]]. This singular occurrence is within the context of the burnt offering (עֹלָה, `{{H5930}}`) of a bird, specifically a turtledove or a young pigeon:
"And he shall remove its crop with its contents and throw it beside the altar on the east side, in the place for ashes." [[Leviticus 1:16]]
Here, לֹעַ (lôaʻ) is used in the construct state, לֹעוֹ (lôʻô), meaning "its crop" or "its gullet." The phrase לֹעוֹ בְּנֹצָתֹו (lôʻô bənoṣātô) translates to "its crop with its contents/feathers." The instruction is precise: the priest is to remove this part, along with its undigested contents, and discard it in the ash heap. This detail underscores the meticulousness required in the sacrificial system, ensuring that only the ritually pure and appropriate parts of the offering were presented upon the altar. The removal of the gullet and its contents, which are considered impure due to their association with digestion and waste, highlights the separation of the holy from the common or unclean.
### Related Words & Concepts
The root לוּעַ (to swallow, gulp) from which `{{H3930}}` is derived, emphasizes the function of the לֹעַ as a conduit for food. While `{{H3930}}` is unique in its singular occurrence and specific anatomical reference, other Hebrew words denote parts of the neck or throat, though with broader or different semantic ranges:
* `{{H6203}}` (עֹרֶף, *ʻōreph*): Refers to the "nape" or "back of the neck," often used metaphorically for stubbornness ("stiff-necked").
* `{{H1627}}` (גַּרְגְּרוֹת, *gargarot*): Refers to the "throat" or "neck" more generally, often in poetic or wisdom literature, as a place for adornment or the source of speech.
* `{{H6310}}` (פֶּה, *peh*): The "mouth," encompassing speech, eating, and the opening of an object.
Unlike these broader terms, `{{H3930}}` is highly specific to the digestive anatomy, particularly in the context of ritual purity and sacrificial preparation. Its uniqueness lies in its precise anatomical focus within the detailed regulations of the Mosaic Law.
### Theological Significance
The singular mention of `{{H3930}}` in [[Leviticus 1:16]] carries significant theological weight within the context of the Levitical sacrificial system. The command to remove the bird's crop/gullet with its contents and dispose of it away from the altar speaks to several key theological principles:
1. **Purity and Holiness:** God demands absolute purity in worship. The gullet, containing undigested food and waste, represents that which is common, unclean, or impure. Its removal signifies the separation of the holy (that which is offered to God on the altar) from the profane (that which is discarded). This meticulousness underscores the holiness of God and the sacredness of the sacrificial act.
2. **Completeness and Wholeness of Offering:** While the offering is a burnt offering (wholly consumed), the instruction to remove this specific part ensures that the offering is not merely consumed, but ritually perfect according to divine standards. It illustrates that even in the smallest details of worship, God's precise instructions must be followed.
3. **Divine Order and Authority:** The detailed regulations concerning the disposal of specific parts of the animal demonstrate God's sovereign authority over all aspects of human life, including worship. It teaches obedience to divine commands, even in seemingly minor or unpleasant tasks, reinforcing the principle that God's way is always the right way. This particular instruction, applied to the least costly of the burnt offerings, emphasizes that the standard of purity and reverence applies equally to all, regardless of economic status.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H3930}}` (לֹעַ, *lôaʻ*) specifically denotes the "gullet" or "crop," an anatomical part of the digestive system. Its sole biblical appearance in [[Leviticus 1:16]] is highly significant, occurring within the detailed instructions for the bird burnt offering. The command to remove the bird's לֹעַ with its contents and discard it away from the altar underscores profound theological principles: the absolute demand for purity and holiness in approaching God, the meticulousness required in divine worship, and the pervasive authority of God's commands. This single, precise instruction highlights that even the seemingly minor details of ritual practice are imbued with theological meaning, emphasizing the sacred separation of the holy from the common and the necessity of complete obedience in all acts of devotion.
TRV