1 Samuel 2:13

Authorized King James Version

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;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט
custom
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#2
הַכֹּהֵן֙
And the priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#3
אֶת
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#4
הָעָ֑ם
with the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#5
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
אִ֞ישׁ
was that when any man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#7
זֹבֵ֣חַ
offered
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
#8
זֶ֗בַח
sacrifice
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
#9
וּבָ֨א
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
נַ֤עַר
servant
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#11
הַכֹּהֵן֙
And the priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#12
כְּבַשֵּׁ֣ל
was in seething
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
#13
הַבָּשָׂ֔ר
while the flesh
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
#14
וְהַמַּזְלֵ֛ג
with a fleshhook
a fork
#15
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ
of three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#16
הַשִּׁנַּ֖יִם
teeth
a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
#17
בְּיָדֽוֹ׃
in his hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Samuel. The concept of covenant community reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Samuel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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