1 Samuel 2:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The narrator begins describing how Eli's sons abused the sacrificial system, sending a servant to seize meat with a three-pronged fork while it boiled.
What Does 1 Samuel 2:13 Mean?
The text now details the corruption of Eli's sons. The law assigned the priests a fixed portion of the offerings, but these priests had made their own 'custom.' As the worshipper's sacrifice boiled, a servant would come with a three-pronged fork to take meat.
This was no small matter. The sacrifices belonged first to God, and the priests were to receive their portion in the way he commanded. By inventing their own greedy practice, Eli's sons placed their appetites above God's order. The scene exposes how easily holy service can be twisted into self-serving gain when the heart no longer honors God.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 2:13
What does 1 Samuel 2:13 mean?
The narrator begins describing how Eli's sons abused the sacrificial system, sending a servant to seize meat with a three-pronged fork while it boiled.