1 Samuel 2:13

And the priests' custom with the people [was, that], when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

And the priests {H3548}' custom {H4941} with the people {H5971} was, that, when any man {H376} offered {H2076} sacrifice {H2077}, the priest's {H3548} servant {H5288} came {H935}, while the flesh {H1320} was in seething {H1310}, with a fleshhook {H4207} of three {H7969} teeth {H8127} in his hand {H3027};

The rule these cohanim followed in dealing with the people was that when anyone offered a sacrifice, the cohen's servant would come, while the meat was stewing, with a three-pronged fork in his hand.

or for the custom of the priests with the people. When any man offered a sacrifice, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling

And the custom of the priests with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was boiling, with a flesh-hook of three teeth in his hand;

Commentary

1 Samuel 2:13 offers a specific, unsettling glimpse into the corrupt practices of the priesthood under Eli, particularly through the actions of his wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas. This verse describes a custom that directly violated God's prescribed method for handling sacrificial offerings, highlighting the deep spiritual decay within the Tabernacle at Shiloh.

Context

This verse immediately follows the declaration in 1 Samuel 2:12 that Eli's sons "were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord." Their wickedness was not merely personal but manifested in their professional duties as priests. According to Mosaic Law, specific portions of the sacrifices were designated for the Lord (the fat, to be burned on the altar) and for the priests (e.g., the breast and thigh of peace offerings, as seen in Leviticus 7:31-34). The priests were to receive their portion *after* the fat had been offered to God. However, 1 Samuel 2:13-14 reveals a self-serving and disrespectful deviation from this divine order.

Key Themes

  • Corruption of the Priesthood: The verse vividly illustrates the abuse of sacred office. Eli's sons, through their servants, perverted the holy ritual of sacrifice for their own gain and convenience, showing contempt for God's law and the people's offerings.
  • Disregard for God's Law: The precise instructions for handling sacrifices were part of God's covenant with Israel, ensuring reverence and order in worship. This "custom" directly contradicted those commands, demonstrating a profound lack of respect for divine authority.
  • Abuse of Authority: The priests used their position and their servants to forcefully take what was not rightfully theirs or to take it at the wrong time, eroding the spiritual integrity of the worship system.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "while the flesh was in seething" means while the meat was boiling. The priests' servants would come at this specific stage, before the fat was offered to the Lord. The "fleshhook of three teeth" was a common utensil, but its use here was not for serving the priests their designated portion after the offering to God, but rather to extract meat arbitrarily from the pot, as further detailed in 1 Samuel 2:14. This act was a pre-emptive and greedy taking, signifying their disdain for the proper ritual.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of spiritual corruption and the importance of integrity in leadership, especially within religious contexts. It teaches that:

  • Accountability is Crucial: Those in positions of spiritual authority are held to a higher standard, and their actions have significant consequences for the community.
  • Integrity in Service: God desires sincere worship and obedience, not mechanical ritual or selfish gain. Our service to God must be according to His will, not our own convenience or desire.
  • The Impact of Disobedience: The actions described here contributed to the eventual judgment on Eli's house, a stark warning against persistent disobedience and disrespect for God's commands (see 1 Samuel 2:34).

Even today, believers are called to serve with humility and adherence to God's Word, recognizing that true worship honors God above all else.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 7:29 (8 votes)

    Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offerings unto the LORD shall bring his oblation unto the LORD of the sacrifice of his peace offerings.

  • Leviticus 7:34 (8 votes)

    For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.