In biblical terminology, the term "fatling" refers to a young animal, typically a calf or lamb, that has been fattened for the purpose of sacrifice or feasting. The concept of the fatling is deeply rooted in the sacrificial system and the cultural practices of ancient Israel, where the offering of the best and most valuable animals was a significant aspect of worship and covenantal relationship with God.

Old Testament References

The use of fatlings is prominently featured in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of sacrificial offerings. In 1 Samuel 15:9, the narrative describes how King Saul spared the best of the sheep and cattle, the fatlings, and lambs, which were meant to be utterly destroyed as part of God's command. This act of disobedience highlights the importance of offering the best to God, as opposed to keeping it for oneself.

In Isaiah 11:6, the term is used metaphorically to describe the peace and harmony of the Messianic age: "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and young lion and fatling together; and a little child will lead them." Here, the fatling symbolizes abundance and the cessation of enmity, reflecting the transformative power of the Messiah's reign.

Sacrificial System

The sacrificial system in the Old Testament required offerings that were without blemish, and fatlings were often considered the choicest of the flock or herd. Leviticus 3:9-11 outlines the peace offering, where the fat portions of the animal were to be offered to the Lord. The fat was seen as the richest part, symbolizing the best that the offerer could give to God.

Feasting and Celebration

Fatlings were also associated with feasting and celebration. In the parable of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:23, the father instructs his servants to "bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate." The fattened calf, or fatling, represents the joy and abundance of the father's forgiveness and the restoration of the son to the family.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

Theologically, the fatling represents the concept of giving God the best of what one has, a principle that underscores the nature of true worship and devotion. It also serves as a symbol of God's provision and the abundance that comes from living in accordance with His will. The imagery of the fatling in prophetic literature points to the eschatological hope of peace and restoration under the reign of the Messiah.

In summary, the term "fatling" in the Bible carries rich connotations of sacrifice, celebration, and eschatological hope, reflecting the broader themes of worship, obedience, and divine promise that permeate the biblical narrative.

(1.) A fatted animal for slaughter (2 Samuel 6:13; Isaiah 11:6; Ezek. 39:18. Comp. Matthew 22:4, where the word used in the original, sitistos, means literally "corn-fed;" i.e., installed, fat).

(2.) Psalm 66:15 (Hebrews meah, meaning "marrowy, " "fat, " a species of sheep).

(3.) 1 Samuel 15:9 (Hebrews mishneh, meaning "the second, " and hence probably "cattle of a second quality, " or lambs of the second birth, i.e., autmnal lambs, and therfore of less value).

(n.) A calf, lamb, kid, or other young animal fattened for slaughter; a fat animal; -- said of such animals as are used for food.FATLING; FATTED

See CALF.

4619. sitistos -- grain
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sitistos Phonetic Spelling: (sit-is-tos')
Short Definition: fattened Definition: fattened; subst: a fatling, cattle. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4619.htm - 5k4220. meach -- a fatling
... 4219, 4220. meach. 4221 . a fatling. Transliteration: meach Phonetic
Spelling: (may'-akh) Short Definition: beasts. ... fatling one. ...
/hebrew/4220.htm - 6k

4806. meri -- a fatling, fatlings
... 4805, 4806. meri. 4807 . a fatling, fatlings. Transliteration: meri Phonetic
Spelling: (mer-ee') Short Definition: fatlings. Word ...
/hebrew/4806.htm - 6k

The Millennium in Relation to Creation.
... that day, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down
with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/6 the millennium in relation.htm

The Sucker from the Felled Oak
... reins.6. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down
with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the sucker from the felled.htm

Would You See when and Where the Kingdoms of this Fallen World are ...
... lie down with the kid. The calf and the young lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the ...
/.../address 211 0 0 would you see.htm

The Gospel Day Seen in Prophecy.
... The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the
kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /the gospel day seen in.htm

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
... 4) . Again, The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down
with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvii the extent of.htm

False Teachings of the Apostasy.
... 11:6-8: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down
with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iii false teachings of.htm

Scriptural Christianity
... 11:10-12.) "The wolf shall then dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down
with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 4 scriptural christianity.htm

His Future Work
... "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the
kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/iii his future work.htm

Abba, Father!
... Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb, and the leopard lie down with the kid and
the calf, and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/abba father.htm

The Prophetic Theme. Rev. Gervase Smith.
... saw it: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down
with the kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together; and ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the prophetic theme rev gervase.htm

Fatling (4 Occurrences)
... for food. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FATLING; FATTED. See CALF.
Multi-Version Concordance Fatling (4 Occurrences). 2 Samuel ...
/f/fatling.htm - 8k

Sacrificeth (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 6:13 And it cometh to pass, when those bearing the ark of Jehovah have
stepped six steps, that he sacrificeth an ox and a fatling. (YLT). ...
/s/sacrificeth.htm - 13k

Fatlings (12 Occurrences)

/f/fatlings.htm - 10k

Fatted (17 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Fat. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FATLING; FATTED. See CALF.
FOWL, FATTED. See preceding article. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/fatted.htm - 12k

Fatigued (5 Occurrences)

/f/fatigued.htm - 7k

Fat (150 Occurrences)
... best meat of the edible animal belonged to Yahweh. See also FATLING; FOWL,
FATTED. The expression "fat" is often used in figurative ...
/f/fat.htm - 44k

Bearers (11 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). 2 Samuel 6:13 And it cometh to pass, when those bearing the ark of Jehovah
have stepped six steps, that he sacrificeth an ox and a fatling. (See NAS) ...
/b/bearers.htm - 9k

Calf (39 Occurrences)
... Other references to calves are: "to skip like a calf" (Psalm 29:6); "the calf and
the young lion and the fatling together" (Isaiah 11:6); "a habitation deserted ...
/c/calf.htm - 49k

Stepped (16 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). 2 Samuel 6:13 And it cometh to pass, when those bearing the ark of Jehovah
have stepped six steps, that he sacrificeth an ox and a fatling. (YLT). ...
/s/stepped.htm - 11k

Sojourned (20 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 11:6 And a wolf hath sojourned with a lamb, And a leopard with a kid doth
lie down, And calf, and young lion, and fatling 'are' together, And a little ...
/s/sojourned.htm - 12k

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