fat Summary and Overview

(Heb. heleb) denotes the richest part of the animal, or the fattest of the flock, in the account of Abel's sacrifice (Gen. 4:4). It sometimes denotes the best of any production (Gen. 45:18; Num. 18:12; Ps. 81:16; 147:47). The fat of sacrifices was to be burned (Lev. 3:9-11; 4:8; 7:3; 8:25; Num. 18:17. Compare Ex. 29:13-22; Lev. 3:3-5). It is used figuratively for a dull, stupid state of mind (Ps 17:10). In Joel 2:24 the word is equivalent to "vat," a vessel. The hebrew word here thus rendered is elsewhere rendered "wine-fat" and "press-fat" (Hag. 2:16; Isa. 63:2).

FAT . The Hebrews distinguished between the suet or pure fat of an animal and the fat which was intermixed with the lean. Neh 8:10. Some parts of the former were forbidden to be eaten in the case of animals sacrificed, Lev 3:3, Lev 3:9, Lev 3:17; 1 Kgs 7:3, Lev 7:23, on the ground that the richest part of the animal belonged to Jehovah. Lev 3:16. The Hebrews had, however, their stalled oxen, appreciating the luxury of fat meat. 1 Kgs 4:23; Luke 16:23.