In biblical terminology, the term "caul" refers to a specific part of the anatomy of sacrificial animals, particularly mentioned in the context of Old Testament sacrificial rites. The Hebrew word often translated as "caul" is "yothereth," which is understood to mean a membrane or lobe, particularly associated with the liver.

Biblical References:

The term "caul" appears in several passages within the Pentateuch, primarily in the context of instructions for offerings and sacrifices. One of the key references is found in the book of Leviticus, which provides detailed guidelines for the Israelites on how to conduct various offerings.

· Leviticus 3:4 : "And the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys."

· Leviticus 4:9 : "both kidneys with the fat that is on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys."

· Leviticus 7:4 : "the two kidneys with the fat that is on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys."

In these passages, the "caul above the liver" or "long lobe of the liver" is specified as part of the sacrificial animal that is to be removed and offered to God. This part of the animal was considered significant in the sacrificial process, symbolizing the offering of the innermost parts to God.

Theological Significance:

The instructions regarding the caul and other specific parts of the sacrificial animals highlight the meticulous nature of the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. Each part of the animal had a designated purpose and meaning, reflecting the holiness and orderliness required in worship. The removal and offering of the caul, along with the kidneys and fat, symbolize the dedication of the most inward and vital parts of the animal to God, representing a complete and wholehearted offering.

The sacrificial system, including the offering of the caul, foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself wholly and completely for the atonement of humanity's sins. The detailed requirements of the Old Testament sacrifices underscore the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a perfect sacrifice, which is fulfilled in Christ.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the liver and its associated parts were often considered the seat of life and emotion. The Israelites, under divine instruction, were set apart from surrounding nations by their unique sacrificial practices, which were intended to maintain purity and holiness in their relationship with God.

The caul's inclusion in the sacrificial rites serves as a reminder of the Israelites' covenant relationship with God, emphasizing obedience and reverence in worship. The sacrificial system was not merely a ritualistic practice but a profound expression of faith and devotion, pointing to the greater reality of redemption through Christ.

Conclusion:

The concept of the caul in the Bible, while seemingly a minor detail, carries significant theological weight in understanding the nature of Old Testament sacrifices and their fulfillment in the New Testament. Through these practices, believers are reminded of the depth of God's requirements for holiness and the ultimate provision of grace through Jesus Christ.(Hebrews yothe'reth; i.e., "something redundant"), the membrane which covers the upper part of the liver (Exodus 29:13, 22; Leviticus 3:4, 10, 15; 4:9; 7:4; marg., "midriff"). In Hosea 13:8 (Hebrews seghor; i.e., "an enclosure") the pericardium, or parts about the heart, is meant. 1. (n.) A covering of network for the head, worn by women; also, a net.

2. (n.) The fold of membrane loaded with fat, which covers more or less of the intestines in mammals; the great omentum. See Omentum.

3. (n.) A part of the amnion, one of the membranes enveloping the fetus, which sometimes is round the head of a child at its birth.

CAUL

kol:

(1) yothereth (Exodus 29:13), the large lobe or flap of the liver, which is usually mentioned together with the kidneys and the fat as the special portions set aside for the burnt offering (Leviticus 3:4, 10, 15; Leviticus 4:9; Leviticus 7:4; Leviticus 8:16, 25; 9:10, 19).

(2) ceghor (from the root caghar, "to enclose," "shut up"), Hosea 13:8, literally the enclosure or covering of the heart, the caul or pericardium, or perhaps the chest as surrounding the heart. It must not be forgotten, however, that the expression may be taken in the sense of "mailcoat of the heart," i.e. hardened heart, which is shut to the influence of God's grace. So Luther and many modern translators and commentators.

H. L. E. Luering

3508. yothereth -- appendage
... 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. ...
/hebrew/3508.htm - 6k

5458. segor -- an enclosure, encasement
... caul, gold. From cagar; properly, shut up, ie The breast (as inclosing the heart);
also gold (as generally shut up safely) -- caul, gold. see HEBREW cagar. ...
/hebrew/5458.htm - 6k

7636. shabis -- a headband
... 1). caul. From an unused root meaning to interweave; a netting for the hair --
caul. 7635, 7636. shabis. 7637 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7636.htm - 5k

Simon's Interpretation of the Mosaic Hexaemeron; his Allegorical ...
... But when, he says, the umbilical vessels [632] proceed forth from Edem, that is,
the caul in which the foetus is enveloped grows into the (foetus) that is ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter ix simons interpretation of the.htm

Prayers and Praise from a Pure Mind, Ceaselessly Offered, Far ...
... "First if they offer aught to me, there are. Who offer blood, the bladder,
not the heart. Or caul. For I no flesh do ever eat. That's ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi prayers and praise from.htm

Making a Skull Speak.
... The skull itself is made out of the caul of an ox; [271] and when fashioned into
the requisite figure, by means of Etruscan wax and prepared gum, [272] (and ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xli making a skull speak.htm

The Manner of Our Offering Sacrifices.
... They also sprinkle the altar with their blood; but they lay upon the altar the kidneys
and the caul, and all the fat, and the lobe of the liver, together with ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 the manner of.htm

Of the Purifications.
... He also forbade us to eat the flesh of an animal that died of itself, as
also the caul, and the fat of goats, and sheep, and bulls. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 of the purifications.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... Here and there a nutmeg-apple has split, and shows within the delicate crimson caul
of mace; or the nutmegs, the mace still clinging round them, lie scattered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

The Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
... Peter says in ver. 30-1. "Even without this key," (says Dr. M'Caul,) "the Rabbis
interpreted Psalm 16.of the Resurrection.". [555] See above, pp. 171-2. ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vi the doctrine of.htm

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in ...
... which drinketh up their spirits: (Job 6:4:) and, as he himself expresses it, He
is unto them as a bear or a lion, ready to tear and rend the very caul of their ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse vii of the necessity.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... said to her or did before her all the while that his burden did hang on his back,
but it returned upon her like a flash of lightning, and rent the caul of her ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. <. ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Caul (12 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CAUL. ... So Luther and many modern translators and
commentators. HLE Luering. Multi-Version Concordance Caul (12 Occurrences). ...
/c/caul.htm - 12k

Lobe (19 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the
caul upon the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and ...
/l/lobe.htm - 12k

Flanks (7 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 3:4 And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the
flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away. ...
/f/flanks.htm - 8k

Inwards (24 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the
caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them ...
/i/inwards.htm - 14k

Rump (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that
covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys ...
/r/rump.htm - 9k

Covereth (61 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the
caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them ...
/c/covereth.htm - 24k

Liver (16 Occurrences)
... and Josephus understood "the liver of goats." By the "caul above the liver," in
Leviticus 4:9; 7:4, etc., some understand the great lobe of the liver itself. ...
/l/liver.htm - 16k

Smoke (98 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the
caul upon the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and ...
/s/smoke.htm - 39k

Cauldron (8 Occurrences)

/c/cauldron.htm - 8k

Shoulder (72 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that
covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys ...
/s/shoulder.htm - 37k

Caul: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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