Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
Even before they burned the fat on the altar (as they were supposed to), the priest's servant would come and say to the person making the sacrifice, 'Give me meat to roast for the priest. He doesn't want boiled meat from you—he wants it raw so he can cook it his way.'
The priest's servants were greedily taking the best parts of people's sacrifices before God received His proper portion, violating sacred worship practices.
📚 Historical Context
This describes the corrupt practices of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests at the tabernacle in Shiloh. According to God's law, certain parts of sacrificial animals were to be burned as offerings to God first, and priests could only take their designated portions afterward. These priests were breaking God's commands by taking the best meat before God received His portion.
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