Definition and Usage in Scripture:

The term "fatlings" refers to well-fed, fattened animals, typically livestock such as calves, lambs, or goats, that were raised for the purpose of sacrifice or feasting. In biblical times, fatlings were considered a symbol of prosperity and abundance, often associated with celebratory occasions and offerings to God.

Biblical References:

1. Sacrificial Offerings:
Fatlings were frequently used in sacrificial offerings to the Lord, signifying the best and most valuable of one's herd. In the Old Testament, the offering of fatlings was a demonstration of devotion and reverence to God. For instance, in 1 Samuel 15:22, the prophet Samuel emphasizes the importance of obedience over sacrifice, yet the context implies that offerings, including fatlings, were a common practice: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams."

2. Feasting and Celebration:
Fatlings were also associated with feasting and celebration, often served at banquets and special occasions. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father orders the fattened calf to be slaughtered in celebration of his son's return, illustrating joy and restoration (Luke 15:23): "Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate."

3. Symbol of Judgment:
In some prophetic texts, fatlings are used metaphorically to describe the judgment of the wicked. Isaiah 34:6 speaks of the Lord's sword being filled with blood and fat from the sacrifices, including fatlings, as a depiction of divine retribution: "The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood, it is covered with fat—the blood of lambs and goats, the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom."

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In ancient Israelite culture, the offering of fatlings was a significant act of worship, reflecting the giver's acknowledgment of God's provision and sovereignty. The choice of fatlings for sacrifice underscored the principle of giving God the best portion, a theme that resonates throughout the Old Testament sacrificial system.

Theologically, fatlings symbolize the abundance and blessing that come from God, as well as the responsibility of the faithful to honor Him with their wealth and resources. The use of fatlings in celebrations and sacrifices serves as a reminder of the joy and gratitude that should accompany the worship of God.

Conclusion:

While the practice of offering fatlings is rooted in the Old Testament, its underlying principles of devotion, gratitude, and the giving of one's best to God continue to hold relevance for believers today. The imagery of fatlings in Scripture invites reflection on the nature of true worship and the call to live a life of obedience and thanksgiving.4806. meri -- a fatling, fatlings
... 4805, 4806. meri. 4807 . a fatling, fatlings. Transliteration: meri Phonetic
Spelling: (mer-ee') Short Definition: fatlings. Word ...
/hebrew/4806.htm - 6k

4932. mishneh -- a double, copy, second
... Word Origin from shanah Definition a double, copy, second NASB Word Usage copy
(2), double (6), doubly (1), fatlings (1), next (1), Second (3), second (16 ...
/hebrew/4932.htm - 6k

Demonstration x. --Of Pastors.
... O foolish pastors, with the wool of the sheep do ye clothe yourselves and the
flesh of the fatlings do eat, and the sheep ye do not feed. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration x of pastors.htm

Matt. xxii. 1-14.
... Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, I have
prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxix matt xxii 1-14.htm

Extent of Atonement.
... is light." "Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden,
Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxvi extent of atonement.htm

The Parable of the Wedding Feast
... Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold,
I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed and all things ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the parable of the wedding.htm

The Heavenly Banquet.
... S. Matthew 22:4. "Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings
are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage.". ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lvii the heavenly banquet.htm

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold,
I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

The Kingdom of Heaven
... Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold,
I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and fatlings are killed, and all things are ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxx the kingdom of.htm

The Wedding Garment.
... Then he sent forth other servants, saying, "Tell them which were bidden, 'Behold,
I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/the wedding garment.htm

Making Light of Christ
... Some of them fancies that the fatlings, and other provisions that would be upon
the table, would be no better than what they had at home. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/making light of christ.htm

And He Spake a Parable unto those which were Bidden There...
... [2076] And the king sent also other servants, and said, Say to those that were invited,
that my feast is ready, and my oxen and my fatlings are [17] slain, and ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxx and he spake.htm

Fatlings (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fatlings (12 Occurrences). Matthew ... dinner. My cattle
and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. ...
/f/fatlings.htm - 10k

Fattened (19 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:4 Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Say to those who have been
called: Lo, my dinner I prepared, my oxen and the fatlings have been killed ...
/f/fattened.htm - 12k

Fatling (4 Occurrences)
... Fatling (4 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 6:13 And it was so, that when they that bare the
ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. ...
/f/fatling.htm - 8k

Calves (34 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:4 Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Say to those who have been
called: Lo, my dinner I prepared, my oxen and the fatlings have been killed ...
/c/calves.htm - 19k

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)
... zo'-he-leth, ('ebhen ha-zacheleth, "serpent's stone"): "And Adonijah slew sheep
and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel" (1 ...
/z/zoheleth.htm - 9k

Adoni'jah (26 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth,
which is beside En-rogel; and he called all his brethren the king's sons ...
/a/adoni'jah.htm - 13k

Abi'athar (28 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:19 And he hath slain oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and hath
called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar, the priest, and Joab the ...
/a/abi'athar.htm - 14k

Adonijah (28 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:9 Adonijah killed sheep and cattle and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth,
which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king's sons ...
/a/adonijah.htm - 22k

En-rogel (4 Occurrences)
... Here David's spies, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, hid themselves (2 Samuel 17:17), and here
(1 Kings 1:9) "Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of ...
/e/en-rogel.htm - 15k

Fat (150 Occurrences)
... My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage
feast!"' (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/fat.htm - 44k

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