fat

Hebrew: 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; Psalm 81:16). The fat of sacrifices was to be burned (Leviticus 3:9-11; 4:8; 7:3; 8:25; Numbers 18:17. Compare Exodus 29:13-22; Leviticus 3:3-5).

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

More information

• Flesh-hook
• Sacrifice
• Offering