Original Word: בָּרִיא
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: bariy'
Pronunciation: bah-REE
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-ree')
KJV: fat ((fleshed), -ter), fed, firm, plenteous, rank
NASB: fat, plump, plentiful
Word Origin: [from H1254 (בָּרָא - Create) (in the sense of H1262 (בָּרָה - eat))]

1. fatted or plump

fat fleshed fed, firm, plenteous, rank

From bara' (in the sense of barah); fatted or plump -- fat ((fleshed), -ter), fed, firm, plenteous, rank.

see HEBREW bara'

see HEBREW barah

Word Origin
adjective from bara
Definition
fat
NASB Translation
fat (10), fatter* (1), plentiful (1), plump (2).

בָּרִיא adjective fat — Psalm 73:4; Judges 3:17; plural בְּרִיאִים 1 Kings 5:3; construct בְּרִיאֵי Daniel 1:15; feminine בְּרִיאָה Habakkuk 1:16 2t. + Ezekiel 34:20 בִּרְיָה; Hi Ol^{§ 171 a} בְּרִיָּה, < בריאה; plural בְּרִיאוֺת Genesis 41:5 3t.; בְּרִיאֹת Genesis 41:2,4; — fat, cattle בקר Genesis 41:2,4,5,7,18,20 (E) 1 Kings 5:3; sheep Ezekiel 34:3,20; Zechariah 11:16; food Habakkuk 1:16; ׳אישׁ ב fat man Judges 3:17; בריאי בשׂר Daniel 1:15; אולם ׳ב their body fat Psalm 73:4.

Semantic Field and Imagery

בָּרִיא consistently evokes the idea of being “well-fed,” “plump,” or “fat,” not merely in a physical sense but as a cipher for strength, health, and abundance. Scripture employs it literally for livestock and people, and figuratively for nations, the wicked, and the complacent.

Canonical Occurrences

1. Agricultural Prosperity – Genesis 41:2–4, 18, 20. Pharaoh’s “sleek and fat” cows symbolize seven years of plenty, underscoring how divine revelation can direct economic stewardship.
2. Royal Excess – Judges 3:17. King Eglon’s extreme corpulence pictures Moabite oppression ripe for judgment.
3. Courtly Provision – 1 Kings 4:23. Solomon’s daily menu of “ten fat cattle” testifies to covenantal blessing realized in Israel’s golden age.
4. Illusory Security of the Wicked – Psalm 73:4. “Their bodies are well-fed,” yet their end is destruction, warning against envying visible prosperity.
5. Corrupt Shepherds – Ezekiel 34:3, 20. Leaders “butcher the fattened sheep” while neglecting the flock; God promises rectifying judgment.
6. God-honoring Discipline – Daniel 1:15. Daniel’s vegetable diet leaves him “healthier and better nourished” than Babylon’s trainees, illustrating obedience that produces true בָּרִיא.
7. Predatory Imperialism – Habakkuk 1:16. The Babylonian net yields “plentiful” food, a fleeting abundance that provokes divine retribution.
8. Eschatological Warning – Zechariah 11:16. A foolish shepherd “will devour the flesh of the fat sheep,” foreshadowing false leadership preceding messianic intervention.

Theological Themes

Prosperity under Providence: Periods of plenty (Genesis 41) are from God and intended for responsible stewardship, not self-indulgence.

Health as Blessing and Test: בָּרִיא can represent God’s favor (Daniel 1) or a trial revealing the heart (Psalm 73).

Leadership Accountability: Shepherd imagery (Ezekiel 34; Zechariah 11) contrasts abusive rulers who feed on the flock with the coming Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.

Judgment of Overindulgence: Eglon and Babylon portray how unchecked appetite precipitates downfall.

Redemptive-Historical Significance

Joseph’s interpretation of the בָּרִיא cows preserved the covenant line during famine, positioning Israel in Egypt for the exodus drama. Ezekiel’s fat-and-lean sheep oracle anticipates the Messiah who will separate sheep and goats (Matthew 25:32). Zechariah’s prophecy readies hearts for Christ by exposing counterfeit shepherds.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Steward Resources: Times of בָּרִיא abundance call for planning, generosity, and preparedness for lean seasons.
• Guard the Heart: Apparent wellness may mask spiritual decay; pastors should probe beyond outward success.
• Model Healthy Leadership: Feed the flock rather than feed on it; prioritize sacrificial service over personal gain.
• Disciple in Discipline: Daniel’s example commends temperance, showing that true health flows from obedience.

Christological Foreshadowing

The contrast between fattened sheep exploited by false shepherds and the sacrificial Lamb of God magnifies Christ’s servant-leadership. His table fellowship provides eternal sustenance, fulfilling the shadow of Genesis plenty and eclipsing every transient בָּרִיא.

Intertextual Resonances

Proverbs 11:25, “The generous soul will be enriched,” echoes Joseph’s distribution of grain. Luke 15:23’s “fattened calf” mirrors Genesis 41’s imagery, celebrating repentance rather than hoarding riches.

Contrast with Spiritual Leanness

Isaiah 10:16 warns that the “stout” Assyrians will waste away, paralleling Ezekiel’s judgment on the fat sheep. Genuine health is inseparable from covenant fidelity.

Prophetic and Eschatological Perspective

World systems that appear בָּרִיא—whether empire, economy, or individual—stand under the scrutiny of the Chief Shepherd. Final judgment will reveal whether apparent fatness was fruitful or fatal.

Pastoral Reflection

Congregations may be materially prosperous yet spiritually starving. Shepherds must continually direct God’s people to the true Bread of Life, ensuring that physical בָּרִיא mirrors a robust, Christ-centered faith.

בְּרִאִ֗ים בְּרִאָֽה׃ בְּרִיא֥וֹת בִרְיָ֔ה בָּרִ֖יא בראה׃ בראים בריא בריאות בריה הַבְּרִיא֖וֹת הַבְּרִיאָ֖ה הַבְּרִיאָה֙ הַבְּרִיאֹֽת׃ הבריאה הבריאות הבריאת׃ וְהַבְּרִיאֹ֑ת וּבְרִיאֵ֖י וּבְרִיאֹ֣ת וּבָרִ֥יא ובריא ובריאי ובריאת והבריאת bā·rî baRi bārî bə·ri·’āh bə·ri·’îm bə·rî·’ō·wṯ bəri’āh bəri’îm bərî’ōwṯ beriAh beriIm beriot ḇir·yāh ḇiryāh hab·bə·rî·’āh hab·bə·rî·’ō·wṯ hab·bə·rî·’ōṯ habbərî’āh habbərî’ōṯ habbərî’ōwṯ habberiAh habberiot ū·ḇā·rî ū·ḇə·rî·’ê ū·ḇə·rî·’ōṯ ūḇārî ūḇərî’ê ūḇərî’ōṯ uvaRi uveriEi uveriOt vehabberiOt virYah wə·hab·bə·rî·’ōṯ wəhabbərî’ōṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts