Texts in Conversation
Leviticus describes the order for the priestly share of sacrifices, where the fat is burned and only then may the breast be taken by the priests. In 1 Samuel, Eli’s sons grab their share before the rite is finished, and their greed leads to judgment.
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Leviticus 7:31
Hebrew Bible
30 With his own hands he must bring the Lord’s gifts. He must bring the fat with the breast to wave the breast as a wave offering before the Lord, 31 and the priest must offer the fat up in smoke on the altar, but the breast will belong to Aaron and his sons. 32 The right thigh you must give as a contribution offering to the priest from your peace-offering sacrifice.
Date: 5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
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1 Samuel 2:16
Hebrew Bible
15 Also, before they burned the fat the priest’s attendant would come and say to the person who was making the sacrifice, “Give some meat for the priest to roast! He won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” 16 If the individual said to him, “They should certainly burn the fat away first, then take for yourself whatever you wish,” then he would say, “No! Give it now! If not, I’ll take it by force!” 17 The sin of these young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they treated the Lord’s offering with contempt.
Date: 6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The breast may not be eaten until all the parts are burned on the altar (Rashi, based on Sifra). The sons of Eli, in 1 Samuel 2:15-17, gluttonously seized the breast from the cooking pots and ate them the other parts were placed on the altar and were punished their behavior by God with death ..."
Drazin, Israel, and Stanley M. Wagner
Onkelos on the Torah, Leviticus: Understanding the Bible Text
(p. 49) Gefen, 2006
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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