אָבַס
to fodder
Definition
The Hebrew verb אָבַס (ʼâbaç) means 'to fodder' or 'to fatten' livestock by providing abundant, rich feed. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes the practice of feeding animals, particularly oxen, to prepare them for consumption or to indicate their well-fed, high-quality condition. In 1 Kings 4:23, it refers to 'fattened' or 'stalled' oxen that were part of King Solomon's lavish daily provisions. In Proverbs 15:17, it contrasts a simple meal of vegetables with love against a meal of a 'fattened ox' with hatred, using the well-fed animal as a symbol of material luxury.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in a context describing prepared food. In 1 Kings 4:23, it appears in a historical record listing the daily food supply for Solomon's court, specifying 'fattened oxen' among the provisions. In Proverbs 15:17, it is used in a wisdom saying to make a moral contrast, where a 'fattened ox' represents the pinnacle of feasting animals. The usage is consistent in meaning—describing animals deliberately fattened for eating—but applied in different literary genres: historical narrative and wisdom literature.
Etymology
אָבַס is considered a primitive root in Hebrew, meaning its etymology is not clearly derived from another Hebrew word. It is specifically associated with the act of feeding or fattening animals. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Arabic, also carry meanings related to feeding or grazing, suggesting a common ancient agricultural background focused on animal husbandry.
Semantic Range
While not a theologically heavy term, אָבַס enriches understanding by highlighting themes of provision, stewardship, and value contrasts. In 1 Kings 4:23, the 'fattened oxen' illustrate God's abundant provision during Solomon's prosperous reign. More significantly, in Proverbs 15:17, the word is central to a profound spiritual lesson: that love and peace with simple fare (vegetables) are superior to hatred alongside luxury (a fattened ox). This underscores the biblical priority of relational harmony over material abundance, a key wisdom theme.
In ancient Israelite culture, fattening livestock like oxen was a sign of wealth and deliberate preparation for special meals or sacrifices. A 'fattened' animal was not merely fed but given choice fodder to improve its taste and quality, making it a luxury item. This practice differs from modern industrial farming, where animals are routinely fed for growth; in the biblical world, such deliberate fattening was reserved for significant occasions, royal tables, or offerings, marking it as exceptional.
רָעָה (rāʿâ, H7462) — a more general term for feeding, grazing, or shepherding, often applied to pasturing flocks. זָן (zān, H2109) — means to nourish or provide food, used more broadly for sustaining people or animals. בָּרָא (bārāʾ, H1254) — in some contexts 'to fatten' or 'to feed,' but primarily means 'to create' or 'to shape.'
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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