Fat

Easton, 1897

(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; Leviticus 4:8; Leviticus 7:3; Leviticus 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).