King James Bible Dictionary

(Heb. heleb) denotes the richest part of the animal, or the fattest of the flock, in the account of Abel's sacrifice (Genesis 4:4). It sometimes denotes the best of any production (Genesis 45:18; Numbers 18:12; Psalms 81:16; 147:47). The fat of sacrifices was to be burned (Leviticus 3:9-11; 4:8; 7:3; 8:25; Numbers 18:17. Comp. Exodus 29:13-22; Leviticus 3:3-5).

It is used figuratively for a dull, stupid state of mind (Psalms 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" (Haggai 2:16; Isaiah 63:2).

Offered in sacrifice
Exodus 23:18; Exodus 29:13; Exodus 29:22; Leviticus 1:8; Leviticus 3:3-5; Leviticus 3:9-11; Leviticus 3:14-16; Leviticus 4:8-10; Leviticus 7:3-5; Leviticus 8:16; Leviticus 8:25-26; Leviticus 10:15; Leviticus 17:6; 1 Samuel 2:15-16; Isaiah 43:24

Belonged to the Lord
Leviticus 3:16

Forbidden as food
Leviticus 3:16-17; Leviticus 7:23

Idolatrous sacrifices of
Deuteronomy 32:38

Figurative
Genesis 45:18; Genesis 49:20; Psalms 37:20; Psalms 81:16; Isaiah 25:6

1. The Hebrews distinguished between the suet or pure fat of an animal and the fat which was intermixed with the lean. (Nehemiah 8:10) Certain restrictions were imposed upon them in reference to the former; some parts of the suet, viz., about the stomach, the entrails, the kidneys, and the tail of a sheep, which grows to an excessive size in many eastern countries, and produces a large quantity of rich fat, were forbidden to be eaten in the case of animals offered to Jehovah in sacrifice. (Leviticus 3:3,9,17; 7:3,23) The ground of the prohibition was that the fat was the richest part of the animal, and therefore belonged to him. (Leviticus 3:16) The burning of the fat of sacrifices was particularly specified in each kind of offering.
2. i.e. VAT, the word employed in the Authorized Version to translate the Hebrew term yekeb , in (Joel 2:24; 3:13) The word commonly used for yekeb is "winepress" or "winefat," and once "pressfat." (Haggai 2:16) The "vats" appear to have been excavated out of the native rock of the hills on which the vineyards lay.
3. In "Baal-hazor which is by Ephraim" was Absalom's sheepfarm, at which took place the murder of Amnon, one of the earliest precursors of the great revolt. (2 Samuel 13:23) There is no clue to its situation.
4. a city "in the district near the wilderness" to which our Lord retired with his disciples when threatened with violence by the priests. (John 11:54)

FAT, adjective

1. Fleshy; plump; corpulent; abounding with an oily concrete substance, as an animal body; the contrary to lean; as a fat man; a fat ox.

2. Coarse; gross.

Nay, added fat pollutions of our own.

3. Dull; heavy; stupid; unteachable.

Make the heart of this people fat Isaiah 6:10.

4. Rich; wealthy; affluent.

These are terrible alarms to persons grown fat and wealthy.

5. Rich; producing a large income; as a fat benefice.

6. Rich; fertile; as a fat soil; or rich; nourishing; as fat pasture.

7. Abounding in spiritual grace and comfort.

They [the righteous] shall be fat and flourishing. Psalms 42:1.

FAT, noun

1. An oily concrete substance, deposited in the cells of the adipose or cellular membrane of animal bodies. In most parts of the body, the fat lies immediately under the skin. fat is of various degrees of consistence, as in tallow, lard and oil. It has been recently ascertained to consist of two substances, stearine and elaine, the former of which is solid, the latter liquid, at common temperatures, and on the different proportions of which its degree of consistence depends.

2. The best or richest part of a thing.

Abel brought of the fat of his flock. Genesis 4:4.

FAT, verb transitive To make fat; to fatten; to make plump and fleshy with abundant food; as, to fat fowls or sheep.

FAT, verb intransitive To grow fat plump and fleshy.

An old ox fats as well, and is as good, as a young one.

FAT,

VAT, noun

A large tub, cistern or vessel used for various purposes, as by brewers to run their wort in, by tanners for holding their bark and hides, etc. It is also a wooden vessel containing a quarter or eight bushels of grain, and a pan for containing water in salt-works, a vessel for wine, etc.

The fats shall overflow with wine and oil. Joel 2:24.

FAT, noun A measure of capacity, but indefinite.