The Hebrew noun chelev refers to fat — specifically the internal fat of animals, which was reserved exclusively for God in the sacrificial system (Leviticus 3:16). It also figuratively means the best, richest, or choicest portion of anything.
The prohibition on eating chelev in Leviticus 3:17 — 'You shall not eat any fat' — established a permanent reminder that the best belongs to God. In the ancient Near East, fat was the premium portion; giving God the fat was giving God the best. This principle pervades Scripture: Abel offered the chelev of the firstborn (Genesis 4:4), and God regarded it. Metaphorically, chelev describes the finest wheat (Psalm 81:16), the best of the land (Genesis 45:18), and the richest blessing. Theologically, chelev challenges the believer: do we give God our fat — our best time, energy, and resources — or our leftovers? The logic of sacrifice is always about priority, not quantity.