Bible Encyclopedias
Flesh-Hook

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(מִזְלֵג, mazleg', and, מִזְלָגָה, mizlagah'), an instrument used in the sacrificial services (1 Samuel 2:13-14; Exodus 27:3; Exodus 38:3; Numbers 4:14; 1 Chronicles 28:17; 2 Chronicles 4:16), probably a many-pronged fork, bent backward to draw away the flesh. The priests required such an instrument that, if the flesh burnt too quickly, they might draw it out, and again throw it into the flame or upon the coals. The implement in 1 Samuel 2:13-14 (where the first or masc. form of the above Heb. term is used), is stated to have been three-tined, and was apparently the ordinary fork with prongs for culinary purposes, such as was familiar likewise to the Greeks and Romans (κρέαγρα; see. Smith's Diet, of Class. Antis. s.v. Harpago).