Original Word: חֶלֶב
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: cheleb
Pronunciation: KHEH-leb
Phonetic Spelling: (kheh'-leb)
KJV: X best, fat(-ness), X finest, grease, marrow
NASB: fat, best, portions of fat, fat portions, finest, fatness, marrow
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to be fat]

1. fat, whether literally or figuratively
2. (hence) the richest or choice part

best, fatness, finest, grease, marrow

Or cheleb {khay'-leb}; from an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part -- X best, fat(-ness), X finest, grease, marrow.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
fat
NASB Translation
best (5), fat (74), fat portions (2), fatness (1), finest (2), finest* (1), marrow (1), portions of fat (5), unfeeling (1).

I. חֵ֫לֶב noun masculine^{Exodus 29:13} fat (Late Hebrew id., fat, so Phoenician חלב (probably); Aramaic (also diaphragm in Lexicons, see PS¹²⁷⁴) originally diaphragm, midriff; Arabic , including midriff-fat, RS^{Semitic i. 360}); — ׳ח absolute Leviticus 3:16 40t.; construct Genesis 45:18 21t.; suffix חֶלְבּוֺ Leviticus 3:9 6t.; חֶלְבָּהּ Leviticus 4:31,35, חֶלְבָּם Numbers 18:17, חֶלְבָּ֫מוֺ Psalm 17:10, חֶלְבְּהֶ֫ן Leviticus 8:16,25 (read plural noun חלביהן Samaritan Di); plural הַחֲלָבִים Leviticus 8:26 7t.; construct חֶלְבֵי Leviticus 6:5 4t.; suffix חֶלְבֵהֶן Genesis 4:4 (חלביהן Samaritan Di, compare Leviticus 8:16,25 above); —

1 fat of human body Judges 3:22 (covering intestines); גִּבּוֺרִים׳ח 2 Samuel 1:22 as smearing warrior's shield; of grossness of wicked כִּסָּה מָּנָיו בְּחֶלְבּוֺ Job 15:27; fat (of midriff) figurative of unreceptive heart סָֽגְרוּ ׳ח Psalm 17:10, see also Psalm 73:7 (read מֵחֵלֶב עֲוֺנָמוֺ for מחלב עֵינֵמוֺ ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Hi Ew Ol De Che Bae and others); ׳טָפַשׁ כַּח לִבָּם Psalm 119:70 i.e. their heart is as unresponsive as the midriff-fat near it.

2 fat of beasts:

a. as rich food (poetry) Deuteronomy 32:14 and in simile Psalm 63:6 ("" דֶּשֶׁן); so ᵑ0 Ezekiel 34:3 (but read הֶחָלָב, see חָלָב), Ezekiel 39:19 (ᵑ6 Co בשׂר).

b. especially as offered in sacrifice, singular, to ׳י Exodus 23:18 (JE), 1 Samuel 2:15,16; Exodus 29:13 (twice in verse); Exodus 29:22 (3 t. in verse); Leviticus 3:3 (twice in verse); Leviticus 3:4,9 (3 t. in verse); Leviticus 3:10,14 (twice in verse); Leviticus 3:15 23t. Leviticus; Numbers 18:17 (all P), Leviticus 17:6 (H), 1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 43:24; Ezekiel 44:7,15; see Isaiah 34:6 (twice in verse); Isaiah 34:7 of fat of Edomites slaughtered by ׳י's sword (under figure of lambs, rams, and bulls); as eaten by (strange) gods Deuteronomy 32:38 (poetry), not to be eaten by men Leviticus 3:17; Leviticus 7:23,24 (twice in verse); Leviticus 7:25 (all P); also plural, fat parts or pieces Genesis 4:4 (J) Leviticus 6:5 8t. Leviticus; 1 Kings 8:64 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 7:7 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 29:35; 35:14.

3 choicest, best part of products of land Genesis 45:18 (E), specifically of oil Numbers 18:12 and wine Numbers 18:12; of corn and oil Numbers 18:29; Numbers 18:30; Numbers 18:32; also (poetry) כִּלְיוֺת חִטָּה ׳ח Deuteronomy 32:14 kidney-fat of wheat (i.e. the very choicest, compare Isaiah 34:6), חִטָּה ׳ח Psalm 81:17, חִטִּים ׳ח Psalm 147:14.

Meaning and Scope of Usage

חֶלֶב appears about ninety-two times in the Old Testament and consistently points to the rich or choicest part of animal, produce, or land. Although most English versions render it “fat,” the term functions far beyond dietary fat: it denotes the best, the abundance, and the part devoted to the LORD.

Distribution across the Canon

• Pentateuch: intensive concentration in Leviticus and Numbers (over half the occurrences).
• Historical Books: Judges, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles.
• Wisdom and Poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs.
• Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos, Micah, Zechariah.

The breadth shows that the concept of “fat/best” is woven into Israel’s worship, history, wisdom tradition, and prophetic message.

Cultic and Sacrificial Significance

1. Exclusively the LORD’s Portion

Leviticus 3:16: “All the fat belongs to the LORD.” By divine decree every peace, sin, or guilt offering reserved the fat of the entrails, kidneys, and liver lobe for the altar (Leviticus 3:9-10; 4:8-10; 7:3-5). The continual ascent of smoke symbolized that the choicest part ascended to God alone.
2. Dietary Prohibition for Israel

Leviticus 7:23-25 explicitly forbids eating animal fat on penalty of ostracism. The restriction underscored holiness: what belonged to God must not be used for common consumption.
3. Priestly Provision and Firstfruits

Numbers 18:29 commands: “You must present the best part to the LORD— the consecrated part of it.” The same word marks the “fat” of grain, wine, and oil (Numbers 18:12-13), establishing that whether animal or produce, the premium portion is holy.
4. Continuity in Temple Worship

Ezekiel’s vision of a restored temple retains the practice (Ezekiel 44:15-31), indicating enduring theological weight rather than an obsolete ritual detail.

Symbol of Abundance and Blessing

1. Fertility of the Land

Genesis 45:18: “I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat of the land.” Here חֶלֶב pictures agricultural bounty, later echoed in Numbers 13:20; Deuteronomy 32:14.
2. Satisfaction for the Righteous

Psalm 63:5: “My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.” Spiritual communion is portrayed through the richest fare.
3. Peace in the Nation

Psalm 147:14: “He makes peace in your borders; He satisfies you with the finest wheat.” Peace and provision flow together: abundance is covenant blessing (cf. Isaiah 55:2).

Metaphorical Warnings

1. Spiritual Insensitivity

Psalm 119:70: “Their hearts are calloused with fat, but I delight in Your law.” Fat becomes a metaphor for moral dullness—excess leading to apathy.
2. Prosperity Breeding Rebellion

Deuteronomy 32:15: “Jeshurun grew fat and kicked… he abandoned the God who made him.” When blessing is misused, it fosters pride and apostasy.
3. Prophetic Judgment

Isaiah 34:6; Ezekiel 39:19 employ sacrificial imagery—armies judged become “fat” for birds and beasts—signaling total defeat under God’s wrath.

Theological and Christological Reflections

• Holiness and Exclusivity: The reserved fat dramatizes God’s right to the best. This anticipates the call in Romans 12:1 to present bodies as a living sacrifice—the whole person, not leftovers, belongs to the LORD.
• Consuming Fire: Fat fuels the altar flame (Leviticus 6:12-13). Hebrews 12:29 sees God Himself as “a consuming fire,” receiving wholehearted devotion.
• Typology of Christ: Jesus is the perfect offering in whom the “fullness” dwells (Colossians 1:19). His entire being—spirit, soul, body—was given without reserve, fulfilling the principle that the choicest belongs to God.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Stewardship: Believers are urged to give God the “first and best,” whether time, resources, or abilities (Proverbs 3:9).
• Worship: The sacrificial principle still governs corporate worship—quality over convenience, sincerity over formality.
• Discipleship: Pastors warn against the dulling effect of material excess; prosperity should deepen gratitude, not inflate pride.
• Missions and Mercy: As the fat once kept the altar fire burning, so the best of the church’s resources rightly fuels gospel advance and care for the needy.

Summary

חֶלֶב embodies a dual message: abundant blessing from God and the demand that the best return to Him. Whether describing literal animal fat, the richest produce, or metaphorical excess, Scripture unites in declaring that the LORD both grants and deserves the choicest portion. The church today, living under the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, is summoned to the same principle—offering God nothing less than wholehearted, premium devotion.

בְּחֶלְבֵ֧י בְּחֶלְבּ֑וֹ בחלבו בחלבי הַ֣חֲלָבִ֔ים הַחֲלָבִ֑ים הַחֲלָבִ֖ים הַחֲלָבִֽים׃ הַחֲלָבִים֙ הַחֵ֔לֶב הַחֵ֖לֶב הַחֵ֙לֶב֙ הַחֵ֣לֶב הַחֵ֣לֶב ׀ הַחֵ֤לֶב הַחֵ֨לֶב הַחֵלֶב֒ הַחֵלֶב֮ החלב החלבים החלבים׃ וְהַחֲלָבִ֖ים וְחֵ֣לֶב וְחֵ֤לֶב וְחֵ֥לֶב וּמֵֽחֶלְבֵהֶ֑ן והחלבים וחלב ומחלבהן חֵ֔לֶב חֵ֖לֶב חֵ֛לֶב חֵ֜לֶב חֵ֣לֶב חֵ֤לֶב חֵ֥לֶב חֵ֨לֶב חֵֽלֶב־ חֵלֶב֮ חֶלְבְּהֶ֑ן חֶלְבֵ֣י חֶלְבֵ֥י חֶלְבָּ֣ה חֶלְבָּ֣הּ חֶלְבָּ֣ם חֶלְבָּ֥מוֹ חֶלְבּ֔וֹ חֶלְבּ֖וֹ חֶלְבּוֹ֙ חלב חלב־ חלבה חלבהן חלבו חלבי חלבם חלבמו כְּחֵ֖לֶב כַּחֵ֣לֶב כחלב מֵחֵ֔לֶב מֵחֵ֖לֶב מֵחֵ֙לֶב֙ מֵחֵ֣לֶב מֵחֵ֥לֶב מחלב bə·ḥel·ḇê bə·ḥel·bōw bechelBo bechelVei bəḥelḇê bəḥelbōw chelBah chelBam chelBamov chelbeHen chelBo Chelev chelVei ha·ḥă·lā·ḇîm ha·ḥê·leḇ hachalaVim hacheLev haḥălāḇîm haḥêleḇ ḥê·leḇ ḥê·leḇ- ḥel·bā·mōw ḥel·bāh ḥel·bām ḥel·ḇê ḥel·bə·hen ḥel·bōw ḥelbāh ḥelbām ḥelbāmōw ḥelḇê ḥelbəhen ḥelbōw ḥêleḇ ḥêleḇ- ka·ḥê·leḇ kaChelev kaḥêleḇ kə·ḥê·leḇ keChelev kəḥêleḇ mê·ḥê·leḇ meChelev mêḥêleḇ ū·mê·ḥel·ḇê·hen umechelveHen ūmêḥelḇêhen veChelev vehachalaVim wə·ha·ḥă·lā·ḇîm wə·ḥê·leḇ wəhaḥălāḇîm wəḥêleḇInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts