Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5858 fat

Used to describe a successful person, fruitful land or healthy animals. It is often associated with the idea of prosperity and contentment. It also designates the part of an animal used in OT sacrifices.

Fat as a symbol of success

Isaiah 10:27; Jeremiah 5:27-28 See also Deuteronomy 32:15; Job 15:27-28; Ezekiel 34:16

Fat representing fruitful land

Genesis 45:18

Fat animals

Genesis 41:2 See also Genesis 41:17-21; 1 Samuel 15:9; Psalm 66:15; Ezekiel 34:20

Fat people

Judges 3:17 See also Judges 3:18-22

Fat used in the context of judgment

Isaiah 17:4

The fat of animals

Not to be eaten

Leviticus 3:17 See also Leviticus 7:22-25

To be offered to God in sacrifice

Leviticus 3:16 See also Genesis 4:4; Leviticus 3:3-5; Numbers 18:17; Deuteronomy 32:37-38; 1 Samuel 2:15-16; Samuel 15:22; 1 Kings 8:64; Isaiah 34:6-7; Isaiah 43:24; Ezekiel 39:19

See also

4478  meat
5939  satisfaction
5960  success
7435  sacrifice, in OT
8256  fruitfulness
8701  affluence