fat

The greasy tissue of sacrificial animals burned on the altar as an offering. Specifically, the Hebrew word most often translated as “fat” refers to the fat covering and surrounding the entrails and the fat on the kidneys (Lev 3:3-4); the word also has a more general sense that includes the kidneys, liver appendage, and tail (of a sheep). The fat of sacrificial animals must not be eaten (Lev 7:23-25; Lev 3:17). The word is also used of human fat or fat in general (Judg 3:22; 2Sam 1:22; Ps 119:70) and can also be used to mean “best of” (Num 18:12; Num 29-32:12; Ps 81:16; Ps 147:14).