1 Samuel 2 13

1 Samuel 2:13 kjv

And the priest's 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;

1 Samuel 2:13 nkjv

And the priests' custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling.

1 Samuel 2:13 niv

Now it was the practice of the priests that, whenever any of the people offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand while the meat was being boiled

1 Samuel 2:13 esv

The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand,

1 Samuel 2:13 nlt

or for their duties as priests. Whenever anyone offered a sacrifice, Eli's sons would send over a servant with a three-pronged fork. While the meat of the sacrificed animal was still boiling,

1 Samuel 2 verses

1 Samuel 2 13 Meaning

First Samuel 2:13 describes the illicit custom developed by Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests of the Lord in Shiloh. It states that whenever someone brought a sacrifice to the tabernacle, the priests' servant would come with a three-pronged fork while the meat was still being boiled for the offering, ready to seize a portion for himself. This act demonstrates their disrespect for God's prescribed rituals, their greed, and their abuse of priestly authority by taking what was not rightfully theirs or at the proper time, thus dishonoring the Lord's offerings.

1 Samuel 2 13 Context

First Samuel chapter 2 depicts a stark contrast between Hannah's humble, sincere prayer and worship (1 Sam 2:1-10) and the utterly corrupt behavior of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas (1 Sam 2:12-17). The verses preceding verse 13 establish the wicked character of these priests ("Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord," 1 Sam 2:12). This verse specifically details how their "worthlessness" manifested in their priestly duties—by actively violating the Mosaic Law concerning sacrificial offerings.

Historically, this occurs during the period of the Judges, a time when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 21:25). The spiritual decline extended even to the designated spiritual leaders, the priests. Their actions undermined the very sanctity of the tabernacle, the sacrifices, and God's name, effectively turning worship into a repugnant act in the eyes of the people (1 Sam 2:17). The context sets the stage for God's impending judgment on Eli's house and the subsequent rise of Samuel.

1 Samuel 2 13 Word analysis

• And the custom (וּמִשְׁפַּט֙ - u-mishpat): From the root shaphat, meaning to judge, rule, or administer justice. While often meaning "judgment" or "ordinance," here it implies an established "practice" or "privilege." The negative connotation is that this was their corrupt "way" or "due," not a divine "statute" or "right" according to God's law. This was an ungodly precedent they had set.
• of the priests (הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים - ha-kohanim): From kohen, meaning "priest." Refers to those divinely appointed to mediate between God and Israel, to offer sacrifices, and teach the law. Here, it highlights the irony of those entrusted with holiness committing profound sacrilege.
• with the people (אֶת־הָעָ֔ם - et ha-ʿam): Indicates the interaction, showing that their corrupted practice directly affected and likely scandalized the common Israelite bringing offerings. It was a known, oppressive system they imposed.
• was (הָיָ֖ה - hayah): Simple past tense, denoting a persistent, established reality rather than an isolated incident.
• that, when any man (כִּי־אִ֣ישׁ - ki-ish): Signifies any individual male worshiper.
• offered sacrifice (זֹבֵ֗חַ - zovêaḥ): Present participle of zavaḥ, "to slaughter," "to sacrifice." This typically refers to a fellowship/peace offering (zevah shelamim) where a portion of the animal was burnt to God, a portion given to the priests, and the rest returned to the offerer and his family for a communal meal. This type of sacrifice emphasized fellowship and communion.
• the priest's servant (נַ֣עַר הַכֹּהֵ֔ן - naʿar ha-kohen): Naʿar means a young man, attendant, or servant. It is significant that these high priests did not even perform the direct illicit action themselves, but dispatched their servants, implying an institutionalized corruption and delegation of their wicked desires.
• came (וּבָא֙ - u-va): Indicates a purposeful approach, not accidental.
• while the flesh (הַבָּשָׂ֖ר - hab-basar): Refers to the meat of the sacrificed animal.
• was in seething (כְּבַשֵּׁ֥ל - kə-vašel): From bašal, meaning "to boil" or "to cook." Peace offerings, or at least portions for the offerer, were often boiled for consumption after the fat had been presented to God (Deut 12:27). The priests taking the meat while it was boiling means they were violating the sacred order; they were to receive their portion only after God's portion (the fat) was burned.
• with a fleshhook (וּמַזְלֵ֥ג - u-mazleg): A large fork or trident. Its existence isn't problematic, but its purposeful use at this stage for this "custom" was the issue.
• of three teeth (שְׁלֹשֶׁת־הַשִּׁנַּ֖י - shəlošet ha-shinay): Literal description of the implement. The detail makes the act precise and deliberate.
• in his hand (בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ - bə-yado): Emphasizes direct physical action and control.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the custom of the priests with the people was": This phrase highlights the systematic nature of their corruption. It was not a rare incident but a "custom" (a deeply ingrained and unrighteous practice) that dictated their interaction with the worshipers, demonstrating a consistent disregard for divine law and priestly ethics. It wasn't an ad hoc violation but an institutionalized abuse of their priestly authority, establishing a corrupt precedent.
• "when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came": This points to the vulnerability of the worshiper and the abuse of power. The act of "offering sacrifice" was meant to be sacred and to facilitate reconciliation or communion with God. However, the unsolicited appearance of "the priest's servant" signaled the imminent intrusion and disruption of this holy act for selfish gain. It indicates that the corrupt system targeted every sincere act of worship.
• "while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand": This describes the precise method and timing of their illicit appropriation. The act of "seething" implies the process of preparing a fellowship offering for the offerer's communal meal, a stage after God's portion had been presented. By seizing meat with a "fleshhook" at this point, Eli's sons pre-empted God's portion and their own legitimate portion, seeking the best cuts for themselves, showing blatant disregard for the holiness of the offering and the Lord's entitlement. This also prevented the offerer from consuming the intended portions himself or in their entirety.

1 Samuel 2 13 Bonus section

The specific method of using a three-pronged fleshhook while the meat was boiling illustrates the audacity and the strategic nature of their greed. It indicates that they were not just passively receiving uncommanded portions but actively interrupting the worshipers' preparation of the meal portion of the peace offering. The Hebrew term mishpat (custom/privilege) here is used ironically, indicating a false 'right' that Eli's sons arrogated to themselves, fundamentally departing from the divine mishpat (ordinance) that God established in the Mosaic Law. This deliberate and persistent violation demonstrated that their concern was self-indulgence rather than faithfully serving the Lord or the people. This established the deep level of contempt for divine institution by the then Israelite religious leaders.

1 Samuel 2 13 Commentary

First Samuel 2:13 offers a chilling insight into the moral and spiritual decay within the priesthood at Shiloh. The "custom" of Eli's sons was a grave perversion of God's explicit commands regarding sacrificial offerings (Leviticus 7). The Lord ordained specific portions for the priests, but only after the fat—which symbolized the "best"—was wholly burnt as an offering to God Himself (Leviticus 3:3-5). By sending servants to take the meat while it was still boiling and, as verse 14 clarifies, by forcibly taking any desired raw portion before even boiling, these priests seized what they wanted, when they wanted, prior to God receiving His due.

This act was far more than simple greed; it was a profound contempt for the Lord's holy offerings (1 Sam 2:17), which ultimately meant despising God Himself. It undermined the integrity of the tabernacle worship, demoralized the worshipers, and polluted the very avenue of communion between God and His people. The three-pronged fleshhook symbolizes their methodical, institutionalized desecration of a sacred ritual, demonstrating how religious leaders' unfaithfulness can lead to corruption and draw God's severe judgment (1 Sam 2:34). It contrasts sharply with sincere worship (Psalm 50:9-14) and highlights the critical importance of integrity in those who minister before God.