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;
Original Language Analysis
וּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט
custom
H4941
וּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט
custom
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
הַכֹּהֵן֙
And the priests
H3548
הַכֹּהֵן֙
And the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 17
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הָעָ֑ם
with the people
H5971
הָעָ֑ם
with the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִ֞ישׁ
was that when any man
H376
אִ֞ישׁ
was that when any man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 17
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)
זֶ֗בַח
sacrifice
H2077
זֶ֗בַח
sacrifice
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
נַ֤עַר
servant
H5288
נַ֤עַר
servant
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
10 of 17
(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
הַכֹּהֵן֙
And the priests
H3548
הַכֹּהֵן֙
And the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
11 of 17
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
כְּבַשֵּׁ֣ל
was in seething
H1310
כְּבַשֵּׁ֣ל
was in seething
Strong's:
H1310
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
הַבָּשָׂ֔ר
while the flesh
H1320
הַבָּשָׂ֔ר
while the flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
13 of 17
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ
of three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ
of three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
15 of 17
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
Historical Context
Levitical law specified that priests received the breast and right thigh of peace offerings (Leviticus 7:31-34). By using a fork in boiling pots, Eli's sons claimed random portions before proper procedures were followed, mixing their allotment with the worshipers' share.
Questions for Reflection
- How do religious practices become corrupted from their original purposes?
- What safeguards protect against leaders exploiting those they are meant to serve?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The detailed description of priestly corruption begins. The 'custom' (mishpat, which can mean either practice or judgment) of these priests perverted proper sacrificial procedure. The three-pronged fork used to select meat portions was meant to take what God had designated for priests. Instead, it became a tool for random seizure. The boiling pot - intended for the worshipers' communion meal - became the priests' personal buffet. What should have been orderly worship became chaotic exploitation of those who came to honor God.