Dietary: Eat Not the Fat
Leviticus 3:17 It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.
If you have read this scripture in times past, you may not have found it difficult to comprehend one not eating blood. However, many stumble on “fat”. “Not eating the fat is just for sacrifices to The Most High?” “Is it a specific type of fat? Like organ meat? Or the fat around organs?” To better understand what it is talking about it would be wise to examine some definitions and usage in context.
Genesis 41:4 KJVS
[4] And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
Strong's Number
H1277
Original Word
בּריא
Transliterated Word
bârîy'
Phonetic Spelling
baw-ree'
Parts of Speech
Adjective
Strong's Definition
From H1254 (in the sense of H1262): fatted or plump: - fat ({[fleshed]} {-ter}) {fed} {firm} {plenteous} rank.
In Genesis 41:4 fat used here is referencing what we would identify as the yellow fatty tissue that in excess makes one obese. Or rather looking fat externally. Keep this in mind and return to this again at the end of the article for a comparison. If this was the fat we were exclusively dealing with, there would be no need to use a different definition. And it is believed that this fat is merely external. How do we know? Context and definition. You are given empirical information that puts everything in perspective. I know this is talking about one being outwardly fat and not internally or “inwardly” fat because earlier on in the passage it was mentioning one being outwardly skinny in a malnourished sense. And overall the subject matter was a dream describing years of plenty, followed by years of dearth. Well, when you have plenty of food to eat and one is eating well, especially in abundance, one will physically grow abundantly. Often times, leading to excess weight gain; in essence… externally fat. On the contrary, when one is depleted of resources; lacks food and water, they will begin to become malnourished and thus very lean externally. However, we do see fat used on other applications.
Genesis 45:18 KJVS
[18] And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
Fat here is used in a different context and thus has a different Strongs number. The very same Strongs number for the word “fat” that you find used in Leviticus first mentioned above and also the same context you find used in the scriptures below, as we will further expound on.
Strong's Number
H2459
Original Word
חלב חלב
Transliterated Word
cheleb chêleb
Phonetic Spelling
{kheh'-leb} khay'-leb
Parts of Speech
Noun Masculine
Strong's Definition
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.
Throughout Leviticus (where most of the dietary law and sacrificial law is given) this is the definition for “fat” we see mostly used. However, the definition alone can be interpreted a few ways as we have seen already, and this is why we must examine other uses as well as context to build a case as to how we can know which is being best identified. It is only after scriptural context is applied that one can wisely give answer to make the most sense.
Leviticus 3:17 KJVS
[17] It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.
Here the Most High is letting us know that this law is something to be applied continuously, without a date that it will stop or end in enforcement; hence, perpetually. No matter where we are or how many children we have. However, we still have to get all of the details or ordinances pertaining to this law. As this is the simple summary at the end of other things God was discussing regarding the fat mentioned in the same chapter as well as reiterated and rephrased in other chapters. We will examine a few to get a better and more complete understanding.
Leviticus 3:1-5 KJVS
[1] And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord. [2] And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about. [3] And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the Lord ; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards, [4] And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away. [5] And Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is upon the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
This is the statute that is being referenced to the law later on in verse 17 that we first read above. This is giving us all of the details pertaining to the law regarding not eating the “fat” so we can better understand it, put it in context and how to execute it. Notice in verse three after “Lord” a semcolon(;) is used. Let’s define “semicolon” using dictionary.com.
Semicolon
the punctuation mark (;) used to indicate a major division in a sentence where a more distinct separation is felt between clauses or items on a list than is indicated by a comma, as between the two clauses of a compound sentence.
We have a division from the first. And this is more of a list format concerning what all we need to do or what is inclusive of offering a sacrifice of the peace offering made by fire unto the Most High. However, that does not mean that everything mentioned is exclusive only to peace offerings or does not apply to what we are and are not to eat. Notice, in Leviticus chapter three, it isn’t just the “fat” but the inwards themselves as well. Especially and primarily the ones linked to the digestive system that we see mentioned and taken away.
Leviticus 1:8-9 KJVS
[8] And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: [9] But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
This reflects the cleanliness associated with the Most High. Imagine butchering a whole cow or goat for example. When butchering an animal you should wash the inside of the animal as well as the legs of the animal first before cooking it. For sanitation and to prevent cross contamination. Now there are some differences in how offerings were executed and in some cases the whole offering was burnt up. For more information I encourage you to read the first several chapters of Leviticus.
Leviticus 7:23-25 KJVS
[23] Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat. [24] And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it. [25] For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people.
We gain two things from this. The first is that fat is not explained but rather generally stated, as earlier in this chapter and various prior chapters he explains what he means by “fat”. Secondly, note the Most High lets us know the sin is eating it. If you take any of these items of a clean animal and wash and clean them and then decide to use them for some other purpose; like crafting a tool, forging a weapon, making a garment, fish or animal bait, the list of ideas goes on. That is fine and lawful, you are not sinning.
Furthermore, we understand based on prior scriptures this means literally the fat inside the animal “inwardly” after you butcher it, that is in the same location as the organs in which they carry. However, this is also inclusive of the same fat that is also covering those organs. In addition, to many of those organs themselves. Some may refer to that fat as “caul fat” that literally is located inside the animal “inwards” and covers the various internal organs. As God mentions the “fat that is on them” In addition to us not eating the internal organs especially those of the digestive system. Given those are “taken away”. Which seems wise as leaving any number of those organs in may greatly impact the taste or flavor of the meat. Keep in mind these offerings were usually roasted whole with fire and some have slight deviation based on the type of offering/ sacrifice.
Leviticus 7:1-6 KJVS
[1] Likewise this is the law of the trespass offering: it is most holy. [2] In the place where they kill the burnt offering shall they kill the trespass offering: and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the altar. [3] And he shall offer of it all the fat thereof; the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, [4] And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the caul that is above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away: [5] And the priest shall burn them upon the altar for an offering made by fire unto the Lord : it is a trespass offering. [6] Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy.
We see that many things are restated and share continuity. However, one may think that the priest ate the organs or the fat when this is not the case based on the scriptures and as we will cover momentarily.
Leviticus 4:19 KJVS
[19] And he shall take all his fat from him, and burn it upon the altar.
Now we have an understanding on what does God mean when he says this. And can affirm what is being said in Leviticus 4:19 is a summary of what was said in other places. No different than many common sayings your parents or grandparents told you that you knew what they meant when they said or asked such and such. Even if they weren’t always specific.
Leviticus 7:31-34 KJVS
[31] And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'. [32] And the right shoulder shall ye give unto the priest for an heave offering of the sacrifices of your peace offerings. [33] He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for his part. [34] For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.
Some sacrifices were wholly burnt and others were able to be used to feed the priest. Notice what portion Aaron’s sons and the priest did eat as a law. The breast and the shoulder. What we would refer to as the external muscle of the animal.
Strong's Number
H2373
Original Word
חזה
Transliterated Word
châzeh
Phonetic Spelling
khaw-zeh'
Parts of Speech
Noun Masculine
Strong's Definition
From H2372; the breast (as most seen in front): - breast.
Brown-Driver-Briggs' Definition
breast (of animals), breast of an animal sacrifice
The breast is the front of the animal. Some images may show the “utters” where milk is produced but this breast is in reference to the upper torso, front or chest region. Which would be in alignment with what not only it seems our people traditionally ate but with what one would say the scriptures lawfully guide us to.
In conclusion, do not eat the organs of the animal, just the external meat. What one may deem as “fat” found in the external meat is not the fat the scriptures seem to be referencing as unlawful. But rather pertaining to the internal or “inward” fat found both inside the animal and around the various organs. None of the references pointed to the external fat by Strongs definition or context from what has been seen or found. Therefore, if one chooses to eat of that fat I would not find it then unlawful. And I would stick to similar portions of meat like the shoulder and breast of the animals you eat as those set the standard of what was acceptable and lawful. Although external, it does not appear our people were eating things like the genitalia or eyes of these animals so I would safely avoid. I pray this helps guide you in all the same.
