1 Samuel 2:15
Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
Original Language Analysis
גַּם֮
H1571
גַּם֮
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
בְּטֶרֶם֮
H2962
בְּטֶרֶם֮
Strong's:
H2962
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before
יַקְטִר֣וּן
Also before they burnt
H6999
יַקְטִר֣וּן
Also before they burnt
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
3 of 23
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחֵלֶב֒
the fat
H2459
הַחֵלֶב֒
the fat
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
5 of 23
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
נַ֣עַר
servant
H5288
נַ֣עַר
servant
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
7 of 23
(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
לַכֹּהֵ֑ן
for the priest
H3548
לַכֹּהֵ֑ן
for the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 23
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
לָאִ֣ישׁ
to the man
H376
לָאִ֣ישׁ
to the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 23
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)
הַזֹּבֵ֔חַ
that sacrificed
H2076
הַזֹּבֵ֔חַ
that sacrificed
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
11 of 23
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
תְּנָ֣ה
Give
H5414
תְּנָ֣ה
Give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בָּשָׂ֥ר
flesh
H1320
בָּשָׂ֥ר
flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
13 of 23
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
לַכֹּהֵ֑ן
for the priest
H3548
לַכֹּהֵ֑ן
for the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
15 of 23
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִקַּ֧ח
for he will not have
H3947
יִקַּ֧ח
for he will not have
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
17 of 23
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מִמְּךָ֛
H4480
מִמְּךָ֛
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
בָּשָׂ֥ר
flesh
H1320
בָּשָׂ֥ר
flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
19 of 23
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
מְבֻשָּׁ֖ל
sodden
H1310
מְבֻשָּׁ֖ל
sodden
Strong's:
H1310
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
21 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Leviticus 3:16And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the LORD'S.Romans 16:18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.Philippians 3:19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Historical Context
The burning of fat was non-negotiable in Israelite sacrifice (Leviticus 3:16-17; 7:23-25). Fat represented the best portion and was reserved exclusively for God. Consuming fat was forbidden to Israelites under penalty of being 'cut off' from the people.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might believers today take for themselves what rightfully belongs to God?
- How do personal preferences sometimes override clear biblical commands in your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The abuse escalates further. Not content with boiled meat, the priests demanded raw flesh for roasting before the fat was burned to God. Levitical law required burning the fat first (Leviticus 3:3-5) as the LORD's portion - the 'food of God' (Leviticus 3:11). By seizing meat before this sacred offering, the priests literally took what belonged to God Himself. They prioritized their culinary preferences ('he will not have sodden flesh...but raw') over divine commands. Their appetites trumped obedience; their comfort superseded God's explicit instructions.