In the biblical context, "fat" often refers to the choicest or best part of an offering, which was considered sacred and belonged to the Lord. This concept is rooted in the sacrificial system established in the Old Testament, where the fat of sacrificial animals was set apart for God.

Old Testament Context

The Book of Leviticus provides detailed instructions regarding offerings and sacrifices, emphasizing the significance of fat in these rituals. Leviticus 3:16 states, "The priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma. All the fat belongs to the LORD." This verse underscores the idea that the fat, representing the best portion, was to be offered exclusively to God, symbolizing the dedication of the finest to Him.

The prohibition against consuming fat is further articulated in Leviticus 7:23-25: "You are not to eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep, or goats. The fat of an animal found dead or torn by wild animals may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it. If anyone eats the fat of an animal from which an offering made by fire may be presented to the LORD, the one who eats it must be cut off from his people." This commandment highlights the sanctity of the fat, reinforcing its exclusive dedication to God and the severe consequences of violating this command.

Symbolism and Significance

The fat of the sacrificial animals symbolized abundance, prosperity, and the best of what one had to offer. By dedicating the fat to the Lord, the Israelites acknowledged God's sovereignty and expressed their devotion and gratitude. The act of offering the fat was a tangible demonstration of giving God the first and finest, a principle that extends beyond the sacrificial system to encompass the broader spiritual life of believers.

Theological Implications

The requirement that all fat belonged to the Lord can be seen as a call to prioritize God in all aspects of life. It serves as a reminder that the best of what we have—our time, resources, and talents—should be dedicated to God. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to offer themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).

Conclusion

The biblical mandate that the fat belonged to the Lord reflects a broader theological principle of offering the best to God. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the call for His people to honor Him with the choicest portions of their lives.Leviticus 3:16
And the priest shall burn them on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet smell: all the fat is the LORD's.
Nave's Topical Index

The Feast of the Lord
... mountain wherein he hath made a feast of fat things for ... she shall go no more up to
the Lord's house limping ... have been like the ewe lamb that belonged to the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the feast of the lord.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... Say to the rebels, saith the Lord God, 'Let it suffice you of all your abominations,
in ... to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

The Second Part.
... them in another place he maketh mention: "Fat bulls have ... Satan, to buffet me: wherefore
thrice the Lord I besought ... and the weakness of man hath belonged to the ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/the second part 2.htm

Christ's Sheep
... must have looked at them as if they belonged to some ... were those who were without
(as our Lord said); who ... not hear, for their hearts were grown fat and gross. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon v christs sheep.htm

The Sixth vision "In Heaven"
... shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will ... I will praise Thee,
O Lord my God, with all my ... The bowls were golden, and belonged to the altar ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision in heaven.htm

The Magnificat
... she feels herself 'the handmaid of the Lord.' In undisturbed ... line of David, to which
the singer belonged, while the ... that which was sick; and the fat and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the magnificat.htm

Community in Certain Points of Marcionite and Jewish Error ...
... for the heart of this people hath growth fat, and with ... denounce against him: "Ye
have forsaken the Lord, and have ... that it was not as if He belonged to another ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter vi community in certain points.htm

Oracles on the Scythians. (With Some Others: iv. 5-vi. 29. )
... the context, and indeed too general to have belonged to so ... do they say, 24 "Now fear
we the Lord our God ... they wax wealthy and great" 28 They are fat, they are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 oracles on the scythians.htm

Names
... their children owed any duty to God, or belonged to God ... but also from God the Son,
the Lord Jesus Christ. ... the ram as a god'; Potiphar means, 'A fat bull,' which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon iv names.htm

The Unity of Revelation. 1 "Known unto God are all his Works from ...
... of his flock, and of the fat thereof," the ... 7, 8); "For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon
mine ... As a preparatory dispensation, severity belonged appropriately to it ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvi the unity of.htm

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