מַזְלֵג (maz.leg)
maz.leg
fork
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun maz.leg refers to a three-pronged fork, specifically identified in the biblical text as a sacrificial implement. Though it appears only seven times in Scripture, its context is consistently tied to the ritual handling of meat during offerings. The sources distinguish this term from other kitchen tools by emphasizing its liturgical function rather than general culinary use.
Its primary occurrences are found in Exodus and 1 Samuel, where it describes the utensil used to lift or manipulate portions of the sacrifice. For instance, in Exodus 27:3 and 38:3, the fork is listed among the bronze vessels made for the tabernacle service, highlighting its role in the formal worship of Israel. This specific usage underscores the careful, regulated nature of ancient Israelite sacrifices, where even the tools had designated purposes.
The word’s rarity and specialized application suggest it was not a common household item but rather equipment reserved for the altar area. Its presence in the detailed descriptions of tabernacle furnishings points to the importance of proper procedure in worship. Translators typically render it simply as "fork," yet the biblical context adds a layer of sacred duty to what might otherwise seem like a mundane object.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word maz.leg refers to a three-pronged fork used in ancient Israelite worship. It appears seven times in Scripture, always as a tool for handling sacrificial meat. In Exodus, it is listed among the bronze vessels made for the tabernacle. This shows that even simple tools had sacred roles in God’s presence.
In 1 Samuel, we see how priests used this fork to take portions of sacrifices. The text describes servants using it while meat was boiling, taking what came up for themselves. This highlights the seriousness of worship and the need for proper procedure. Every detail mattered when approaching God.
Though rare, this word reminds us that God cares about how we serve Him. Whether in temple rituals or daily life, our actions have meaning. We can trust that He sees our faithful service, even in small things like using a fork properly during worship.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ forks3×
- the/ fork1×
- and/ the/ forks1×
- and/ the/ fork1×
- and/ forks/ its1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/מִזְלְגֹתָ֖י/ו1×
- וְ/הַ/מַּזְלֵ֛ג1×
- וְ/הַ/מִּזְלָג֧וֹת1×
- הַ/מַּזְלֵ֔ג1×
- הַ/מִּזְלָגוֹת֙1×
- הַ/מִּזְלָגֹת֙1×
- הַ/מִּזְלָגֹ֖ת1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 27:3
You shall make its pots to take away its ashes; and its shovels, its basins, its meat hooks, and its fire pans. You shall make all its vessels of bronze.
This verse lists the fork among bronze vessels for the tabernacle, showing its role in sacred worship rather than ordinary cooking.
-
I Samuel 2:13
The custom of the priests with the people was that when anyone offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant came while the meat was boiling, with a fork of three teeth in his hand;
Here the fork is described as having three teeth and being used by priestly servants to take meat from sacrifices, revealing its specific liturgical function.
-
I Samuel 2:14
and he stabbed it into the pan, or kettle, or cauldron, or pot. The priest took all that the fork brought up for himself. They did this to all the Israelites who came there to Shiloh.
This passage shows how priests used the fork to claim portions of sacrifices, illustrating both its practical use and the corruption that could occur in worship.