The term "fatted" in the Bible typically refers to animals that have been specially fed and cared for to ensure they are well-nourished and plump, often in preparation for a special occasion or sacrifice. This concept is most famously illustrated in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, where the "fatted calf" is slaughtered to celebrate the return of the wayward son (Luke 15:23: "Bring the fatted calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate."). The fatted calf symbolizes abundance, celebration, and the joy of reconciliation.

In the Old Testament, the idea of fattening animals is associated with offerings and sacrifices. The Israelites were instructed to offer the best of their flocks and herds to God, which often included fatted animals. For example, in 1 Samuel 28:24, a fatted calf is prepared for Saul by the medium at Endor, indicating the importance and value of such an animal in hospitality and significant events.

The concept of "fatted" also appears in prophetic literature, where it can symbolize judgment or the consequences of indulgence. In Ezekiel 34:16, God promises to judge between the fat and the lean sheep, indicating a divine assessment of those who have grown prosperous at the expense of others: "I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak. But the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice."

In a broader theological context, the fatted calf and similar imagery underscore themes of divine provision, celebration, and the importance of offering one's best to God. The use of fatted animals in sacrifices and celebrations reflects the biblical principle of giving God the first and finest of what one has, as a sign of reverence and gratitude.

The imagery of the fatted calf in the New Testament parable also highlights the joy and grace of God in welcoming repentant sinners back into fellowship. It serves as a powerful reminder of the Father's love and the heavenly celebration that occurs when one who was lost is found.(imp. & p. p.) of Fat.FATLING; FATTED

See CALF.

FOWL, FATTED

See preceding article.

4618. siteutos -- a pit (for grain storage)
... for grain storage). Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: siteutos Phonetic
Spelling: (sit-yoo-ros') Short Definition: fattened Definition: fattened, fatted ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4618.htm - 5k

4619. sitistos -- grain
... fatling. From a derivative of sitos; grained, ie Fatted -- fatling. see GREEK sitos.
(sitista) -- 1 Occurrence. 4618b, 4619. sitistos. 4619a . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4619.htm - 5k

75. abas -- to feed, fatten
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to feed, fatten NASB Word Usage fattened (2).
fatted, stalled. A primitive root; to fodder -- fatted, stalled. 74, 75. ...
/hebrew/75.htm - 5k

1277. bari -- fat
... fat fleshed fed, firm, plenteous, rank. From bara' (in the sense of barah); fatted
or plump -- fat ((fleshed), -ter), fed, firm, plenteous, rank. ...
/hebrew/1277.htm - 6k

4770. marbeq -- a stall
... Definition: fattened. Word Origin from an unused word Definition a stall NASB
Word Usage fattened (2), stall (2). fatted, stall. From an ...
/hebrew/4770.htm - 5k

The Prodigal Son.
... said to his servants, 'Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and
put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring the fatted calf, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the prodigal son.htm

God's Love Even for Sinners
... And bring the fatted calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this son of
mine was dead but has come back to life, he was lost but has been found.' So ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/gods love even for sinners.htm

And There came unto Him Publicans and Sinners to Hear his Word. .. ...
... forth a stately robe, and put [24] it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and put
on him shoes on his feet: [1835] and bring and [25] slay a fatted ox, that we ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxvi and there came.htm

Second Great Group of Parables.
... the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet
[none but servants went barefooted]: 23 and bring the fatted calf [which ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcii second great group of 4.htm

Ill-Temper
... "Thy brother is come," the servant says, "and they have killed the fatted calf."
His brother! Happy hour! ... Killed the fatted calf, have they? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/ill-temper.htm

Privilege and Experience
... The elder son had complained and said, that though his father had made a feast,
and had killed the fatted calf for the prodigal son, he had never given him ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/ii privilege and experience.htm

B. The Second Stages. Chs. 13:22 to 17:10
... to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a
ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 and bring the fatted calf, and ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second stages chs.htm

Gifts to the Prodigal
... And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it....' Luke 15:22, 23. God's
giving always follows His forgiving. It is not so with us. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/gifts to the prodigal.htm

The Prodigal Son.
... said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring
on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring hither the fatted calf, and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xxiv the prodigal son.htm

The Blessing of God.
... willing to serve, and to do his father's will, he found himself restored to his
father's heart, and to all the privileges of sonship: the fatted calf was killed ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part ii the blessing of.htm

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

Invited (49 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:9 And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fatted cattle by the stone
of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and invited all his brethren, the king's ...
/i/invited.htm - 21k

Fallow-deer (2 Occurrences)
... (WBS). 1 Kings 4:23 ten fatted oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a
hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and fallow-deer, and fatted fowl. ...
/f/fallow-deer.htm - 7k

Fatling (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) A fatted animal for slaughter (2 Samuel 6:13; Isaiah
11:6; Ezek. 39:18. ... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FATLING; FATTED. See CALF. ...
/f/fatling.htm - 8k

Calf (39 Occurrences)
... The "fatted calf" was regarded as the choicest of animal food; it was frequently
also offered as a special sacrifice (1 Samuel 28:24; Amos 6:4; Luke 15:23). ...
/c/calf.htm - 49k

Fowl (73 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:26 the King James Version; 1 Samuel 17:44, 46 Psalm 79:2 Jeremiah
7:33, etc.); barburim, rendered (1 Kings 4:23) "fatted fowl" (among the ...
/f/fowl.htm - 36k

Sacrificed (112 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:9 And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fatted cattle by the stone
of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and invited all his brethren, the king's ...
/s/sacrificed.htm - 38k

Food (2953 Occurrences)
... The "fatted calf" of Luke 15:23 will be recalled, as also the "fatlings" and the
"stalled" (stall-fed) ox of the Old Testament (Proverbs 15:17). ...
/f/food.htm - 36k

Fattened (19 Occurrences)

/f/fattened.htm - 12k

Killedst (4 Occurrences)
... Killedst (4 Occurrences). Luke 15:30 but when this thy son came, who hath devoured
thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf. (ASV). ...
/k/killedst.htm - 7k

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