Movatterモバイル変換

◄ Being Fat►

Jump to:Topical •Library •Subtopics •Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the Bible, the concept of being fat is often associated with prosperity, abundance, and blessing, but it can also carry negative connotations related to excess and spiritual complacency. The term "fat" is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, fatness is frequently seen as a sign of God's blessing and provision. For instance, inGenesis 41:18-20, Pharaoh's dream of the "seven fat cows" represents years of abundance and plenty. Similarly,Deuteronomy 32:15 describes Jeshurun (a poetic name for Israel) as having "grown fat" and prosperous, though this prosperity leads to spiritual complacency and rebellion against God: "But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; you grew fat, thick, and sleek—he abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation."

The sacrificial system also highlights the significance of fat. In Leviticus, the fat portions of sacrificial animals are considered the best parts and are offered to God as a pleasing aroma (Leviticus 3:16). This indicates that fatness, in this context, symbolizes the richness and the best of what one has to offer to God.

Wisdom Literature

In the wisdom literature, fatness is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual and emotional well-being.Proverbs 11:25 states, "A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." The Hebrew word translated as "prosper" can also mean "to be made fat," suggesting that generosity leads to spiritual richness and satisfaction.

Prophetic Writings

The prophets sometimes use the imagery of fatness to critique Israel's spiritual state. InIsaiah 6:10, the prophet is instructed to "Make the heart of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes," which is sometimes interpreted as making their hearts "fat" or insensitive to God's word. This metaphorical use of fatness indicates a state of spiritual dullness and unresponsiveness.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from physical prosperity to spiritual richness. While the term "fat" is not commonly used, the concept of spiritual abundance is prevalent. For example, inJohn 10:10, Jesus declares, "I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness." This fullness of life can be seen as a type of spiritual fatness, where believers are enriched by their relationship with Christ.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, being fat in the biblical sense can be understood as a dual-edged concept. On one hand, it represents God's blessing, provision, and the richness of life that comes from living in accordance with His will. On the other hand, it serves as a warning against the dangers of complacency, self-indulgence, and spiritual insensitivity.

In summary, the biblical view of being fat encompasses both the positive aspects of divine blessing and the negative potential for spiritual neglect. It calls believers to recognize the source of their abundance and to remain vigilant in their spiritual walk, ensuring that prosperity does not lead to a hardened heart.

Topical Bible Verses

Jeremiah 5:28
They are waxen fat, they shine: yes, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
Topicalbible.org

Genesis 1:29
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
Topicalbible.org

Luke 7:34
The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and you say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a drunkard, a friend of publicans and sinners!
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 23:21
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
Topicalbible.org

Library

It was Friday Night, and Diamond, Like the Rest of the Household.....
... "There's no harm inbeing fat," said Ruby in a deprecating tone. "No, nor inbeing
sleek. I may as well shine as not.". "No harm?" retorted Diamond....

Scriptural Poems;Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested...
... Andbeing unsatisfied about my dream, I sought unto the wise men of the nation,
But... The sevenfat kine and seven good ears agree To shew, seven years of plenty...

TheBeing of God
... Christ the substancebeing come, the shadows fly away; and therefore the apostle
calls the... more excellent it is; the spiritual part of duty is thefat of the...

The Resurrection-Body Different from the Present.
... by grief or trouble or disease, and by the distempers arising frombeing heated
or chilled, the humours which are changed with the flesh andfat not receiving...

Outside the Eden Gate.
... of the ears and eyes running down into the heart is constantlybeing sounded out
in... but they do not see." Then the voice said, "Make their heartfat, and their...

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which...
... not allotted to the use either of the priests or of the offerers: the bloodbeing
poured out at the foot of the altar, in honor of God, while thefat was burnt...

Defects Ascribed to God.
... the Lord smelled a scent of sweetness,' [983] it is the part of one in need; and
hisbeing pleased with thefat of flesh is the part of one who is not good....

Self-Examination
... afflict our souls, to bow down our heads as bulrushes, and to sit in sackcloth and
ashes; and, as a consequence, instead of our bonesbeing madefat, and our...

The Pharisees are the Bulls: the Roaring Lion is Herod or the...
... And the expression,Fat bulls have beset me round,' He spoke beforehand of those...
pass:' [2348] His heart and also His bones trembling; His heartbeing like wax...

Of the Law.
... on account of their obstinacy: whence also they brought death upon thembeing not
obeyed.... of the burnt-offerings of rams, and I will not accept thefat of lambs...