1Sa 2:29 | KD | STEP | With such distinction conferred upon the priesthood, and such careful provision made for it, the conduct of the priests under Eli was an inexcusable crime. “ Why do ye tread with your feet my slain-offerings and meat-offerings, which I have commanded in the dwelling-place ?” Slain-offering and meat-offering are general expressions embracing all the altar-sacrifices. מעון is an accusative (“ in the dwelling ”), like בּית, in the house. “ The dwelling ” is the tabernacle. This reproof applied to the priests generally, including Eli, who had not vigorously resisted these abuses. The words which follow, “ and thou honourest thy sons more than me ,” relate to Eli himself, and any other high priest who like Eli should tolerate the abuses of the priests. “ To fatten yourselves with the first of every sacrificial gift of Israel, of my people .” לעמּי serves as a periphrasis for the genitive, and is chosen for the purpose of giving greater prominence to the idea of עמּי (my people). רשׁית, the first of every sacrificial gift ( minchah , as in ), which Israel offered as the nation of Jehovah, ought to have been given up to its God in the altar-fire because it was the best; whereas, according to , , the sons of Eli took away the best for themselves.

‏ 1 Samuel 2:29

With such distinction conferred upon the priesthood, and such careful provision made for it, the conduct of the priests under Eli was an inexcusable crime. “Why do ye tread with your feet my slain-offerings and meat-offerings, which I have commanded in the dwelling-place?” Slain-offering and meat-offering are general expressions embracing all the altar-sacrifices. מעון is an accusative (“in the dwelling”), like בּית, in the house. “The dwelling” is the tabernacle. This reproof applied to the priests generally, including Eli, who had not vigorously resisted these abuses. The words which follow, “and thou honourest thy sons more than me,” relate to Eli himself, and any other high priest who like Eli should tolerate the abuses of the priests. “To fatten yourselves with the first of every sacrificial gift of Israel, of my people.” לעמּי serves as a periphrasis for the genitive, and is chosen for the purpose of giving greater prominence to the idea of עמּי (my people). רשׁית, the first of every sacrificial gift (minchah, as in 1Sa 2:17), which Israel offered as the nation of Jehovah, ought to have been given up to its God in the altar-fire because it was the best; whereas, according to 1Sa 2:15, 1Sa 2:16, the sons of Eli took away the best for themselves.