(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 ; 4:8 ; 7:3 ; 8:25 ; Numbers 18:17 . Compare 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 ).

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.