Lexical Summary mazleg: Fork, prong Original Word: מַזְלֵג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fleshhook Or (feminine) mizlagah {miz-law-gaw'}; from an unused root meaning to draw up; a fork -- fleshhook. Brown-Driver-Briggs מַזְלֵג noun masculine apparently a sacrificial implement, three-pronged fork שְׁלשׁ הַשִּׁנַּיִם ׳הַמּ 1 Samuel 2:13, compare 1 Samuel 2:14 (see DrSm. pp. 23, 291). [מִזְלָגָה] noun [feminine] id., only plural הַמִּזְלָֹגת Exodus 38:3; Numbers 4:14; הַמִּזְלָגוֺת 1 Chronicles 28:17; 2Chronicles 4:16; suffix מִזְלְֹגתָיו Exodus 27:3; — a sacrificial implement, belonging to altar in tabernacle, Exodus 27:3; Exodus 38:3; Numbers 4:14 (all P); belonging to temple 1 Chronicles 28:17; 2Chronicles 4:16. Topical Lexicon Overview מַזְלֵג (mazleg) designates the fork or flesh-hook used in Israel’s sacrificial system. Though a seemingly minor utensil, its seven appearances trace a thread from the wilderness tabernacle, through the Levitical service, into the monarchy’s worship, and finally expose priestly corruption. Together these texts illuminate God’s concern for both the details of worship and the character of those who serve. Material and Design • Tabernacle service: forged of bronze, suitable for the constant heat of the altar (Exodus 27:3; Exodus 38:3). Cultic Usage in the Tabernacle and Temple 1. Handling sacrificial portions: “make all its utensils of bronze—its pots for removing ashes, its shovels, its basins, its forks, and its firepans” (Exodus 27:3). Service of the Priests and Levites The fork symbolized priestly mediation—drawing near the altar on behalf of the people, yet safeguarding them from direct contact with holy fire. Its prescribed use testified that access to God requires order, purification, and appointed servants. Warning from Shiloh: Abuse of the Flesh-Hook 1 Samuel 2:13-14 records the sons of Eli thrusting the three-pronged fork into the cauldron and seizing any portion they desired before the fat was offered: “Whatever the fork brought up, the priest would take for himself.” Their contempt for the LORD’s portion profaned the sacrificial system and precipitated divine judgment. The same utensil that should have preserved holiness became an instrument of greed, showing that ritual precision is meaningless without obedient hearts. Theological Themes • Holiness: every detail—even a fork—was consecrated. God is concerned with both great and small matters of worship. Lessons for Contemporary Ministry 1. Faithful handling of the Lord’s resources: ministry tools, finances, and opportunities are dedicated to Him. Typological Considerations The fork pictures mediation—reaching into the place of sacrifice to present an acceptable offering. In the fullness of time, Christ Himself entered the altar of the cross, not with bronze or gold, but with His own blood, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). The humble flesh-hook, therefore, anticipates the greater ministry of the true High Priest who perfectly renders to God what is His due. Occurrences Summary Exodus 27:3; Exodus 38:3; Numbers 4:14; 1 Samuel 2:13; 1 Samuel 2:14; 1 Chronicles 28:17; 2 Chronicles 4:16. Forms and Transliterations הַמִּזְלָגֹ֖ת הַמִּזְלָגֹת֙ הַמִּזְלָגוֹת֙ הַמַּזְלֵ֔ג המזלג המזלגות המזלגת וְהַמִּזְלָג֧וֹת וְהַמַּזְלֵ֛ג וּמִזְלְגֹתָ֖יו והמזלג והמזלגות ומזלגתיו ham·maz·lêḡ ham·miz·lā·ḡō·wṯ ham·miz·lā·ḡōṯ hammazLeg hammazlêḡ hammizlaGot hammizlāḡōṯ hammizlāḡōwṯ hammizlagoyT ū·miz·lə·ḡō·ṯāw umizlegoTav ūmizləḡōṯāw vehammazLeg vehammizlaGot wə·ham·maz·lêḡ wə·ham·miz·lā·ḡō·wṯ wəhammazlêḡ wəhammizlāḡōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 27:3 HEB: וְיָעָיו֙ וּמִזְרְקֹתָ֔יו וּמִזְלְגֹתָ֖יו וּמַחְתֹּתָ֑יו לְכָל־ NAS: and its basins and its forks and its firepans; KJV: and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: INT: shovels basins forks firepans all Exodus 38:3 Numbers 4:14 1 Samuel 2:13 1 Samuel 2:14 1 Chronicles 28:17 2 Chronicles 4:16 7 Occurrences |
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