or (feminine) מִזְלָגָה; from an unused root meaning to draw up; a fork; fleshhook.
Transliteration:mazlêg
Pronunciation:maz-layg'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma H4207, מַזְלֵג (mazlêg), along with its feminine variant מִזְלָגָה (mizlagah), denotes a specific culinary or cultic implement. Derived from an unused root meaning "to draw up," its core meaning is "fork" or, more precisely in its biblical context, "fleshhook." This refers to a tool, often with multiple prongs, designed for piercing and lifting, particularly meat from a boiling pot or from a sacrificial offering. The semantic range of *mazlêg* is quite narrow, consistently referring to this specialized utensil used in practical and ritualistic settings.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H4207 appears in the Pentateuch and the historical books, specifically in Exodus and 1 Samuel. Its occurrences reveal two distinct contexts:
* **Exodus (Tabernacle Construction):** In [[Exodus 27:3]] and [[Exodus 38:3]], the *mazlêg* (plural, מַזְלֵגֹת) is listed among the bronze utensils of the Tabernacle's altar of burnt offering. These "forks" were part of the divinely prescribed equipment for managing the sacrifices, likely used to arrange or remove portions of the burnt offerings. Here, the *mazlêg* is an instrument of proper, ordered worship, part of God's detailed instructions for the sacred space and its rituals.
* **1 Samuel (Priestly Corruption):** A stark contrast emerges in 1 Samuel, where the *mazlêg* becomes a symbol of priestly abuse. In [[1 Samuel 2:13]], it is described as a "three-pronged fork" (מַזְלֵג) wielded by the priest's servant. [[1 Samuel 2:14]] details how Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, would use this fork to thrust into the boiling sacrificial meat and take whatever it brought up for themselves, before the fat was offered to the Lord as prescribed. This act was a blatant violation of the Mosaic Law concerning priestly portions and a profound disrespect for God's holy offerings. The *mazlêg*, intended for a sacred purpose, became an instrument of their greed and profanity, leading to severe divine judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The *mazlêg* is intrinsically linked to the broader vocabulary of the Israelite sacrificial system and cultic implements. Related concepts and terms include:
* Other Tabernacle utensils: `{{H5518}}` (sîr, "pot" or "kettle"), `{{H3742}}` (kîyôr, "basin" or "laver"), `{{H4289}}` (maḥtâ, "firepan"). These items collectively form the essential equipment for priestly service.
* Sacrificial terminology: Concepts such as "burnt offering" (עֹלָה, `{{H5930}}`), "peace offering" (שְׁלָמִים, `{{H8002}}`), and the "fat" (חֵלֶב, `{{H2459}}`) which was to be burned to the Lord, are all directly related to the context in which the *mazlêg* was used.
* Priesthood and priestly duties: The *mazlêg* is an instrument of the priests, highlighting their sacred responsibilities and, in the case of Eli's sons, their profound failure to uphold them.
* Thematic contrast: The word's usage highlights the stark contrast between divine order and human corruption, sacredness and profanity.
### Theological Significance
The *mazlêg* itself, as an inanimate object, carries no inherent theological weight, but its context and use imbue it with profound significance:
* **Divine Order and Holiness:** In Exodus, the *mazlêg* signifies God's meticulous attention to detail in establishing a holy worship system. Every implement, including this fork, was part of a divinely ordained order designed to facilitate proper reverence and approach to a holy God. It underscores the principle that worship must be conducted according to God's precise instructions.
* **Priesthood and Accountability:** The narrative in 1 Samuel transforms the *mazlêg* into a powerful symbol of priestly failure and the severe consequences of abusing sacred trust. Eli's sons, by using this instrument to satisfy their own greed rather than honor God, demonstrated contempt for the Lord's sacrifice ([[1 Samuel 2:17]]). This highlights the immense responsibility of those in spiritual leadership and the strict accountability they face before God.
* **Profanation of the Sacred:** The misuse of the *mazlêg* by Hophni and Phinehas represents a fundamental profanation of the sacred. Their actions turned an instrument of worship into a tool of sin, illustrating the danger of treating holy things with irreverence and prioritizing personal gain over divine honor. This serves as a timeless warning against spiritual corruption and the defilement of God's provisions.
* **Symbol of Corruption:** Ultimately, the *mazlêg* in 1 Samuel transcends its literal function to become a potent symbol of the moral and spiritual decay within the priesthood, signaling the breakdown of the covenant relationship due to human unfaithfulness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H4207, מַזְלֵג (mazlêg), meaning "fork" or "fleshhook," serves as a compelling case study in the dual nature of objects within biblical narrative. Initially presented in [[Exodus 27:3]] and [[Exodus 38:3]] as a divinely prescribed bronze utensil for the Tabernacle, it symbolizes the meticulous order and holiness required in Israelite worship. Its presence among the altar implements underscores God's precise instructions for handling sacred offerings. However, its usage in [[1 Samuel 2:13]] and [[1 Samuel 2:14]] dramatically shifts its symbolic weight. Here, the *mazlêg* becomes an instrument of priestly corruption, wielded by Eli's wicked sons to greedily seize the best portions of sacrifices before they were properly offered to God. This act of profanation transformed a tool of sacred service into a symbol of their contempt for the Lord's offerings and their abuse of divine trust. Thus, the *mazlêg* powerfully illustrates the stark contrast between reverent obedience to God's commands and the dire consequences of spiritual corruption and the profanation of the sacred.
TRV