Bible Dictionary
TAIL
The tail of a sheep was a sacrificial portion, while tails could also belong to snakes, foxes, and apocalyptic creatures. Figuratively, “tail” signifies inferiority or subjection in contrast with the “head,” which represents leadership.
Definition
A tail is the hindmost part of an animal. In Scripture it may refer to the broad tail of the Syrian sheep, the tails of serpents and foxes, or the tails of apocalyptic creatures.
Biblical Usage
The sheep’s tail was a sacrificial portion burned on the altar. Samson used fox tails in an act against the Philistines. Figuratively, “tail” signifies inferiority and subjection in contrast with “head,” which represents leadership; Revelation uses the term for apocalyptic animals and the dragon.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>tal ('alyah; zanabh; oura): The broad tail of the Syrian sheep, wrongly rendered "rump" (which see) in the King James Version, is mentioned as one of the portions of sacrifice which was burned on the altar as a sweet savor to God (Ex 29:22). The 2nd Hebrew word is used of the tails of serpents (Ex 4:4), of foxes, which Samson tied together in his cruel sport, in order to destroy the grainfields of the Philistines by means of attached firebrands (Jud 15:4, etc.). The following seems to be an allusion to this incident: "Fear not, neither let thy heart be faint, because of these two tails of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah" (Isa 7:4).</p><p>Figurative: "Tail" = inferiority, as opposed to "head" = superiority, leadership. "Yahweh will make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if thou shalt hearken unto the commandments of Yahweh" (De 28:13; compare also 28:44).</p><p>In the New Testament we find oura used of the apocalyptic animals, scorpions, horses, and the dragon (Re 9:10,19; 12:4).</p><p>H. L. E. Luering</p>