FORK. The rendering of three Heb. words and one Gr. word. 1. מַזְלֵג, H4657. A three-pronged implement used at the altar in the Tabernacle and Temple to remove from the pot in which the sacrifice was boiled that portion of the meat which was intended for the priests (1 Sam 2:13, 14; KJV, ASV “fleshhook”; Exod 27:3; 38:3; Num 4:14; 1 Chron 28:17; 2 Chron 4:16, KJV “fleshhooks”).

2. מִזְרֶה, H4665. A pitchfork prob. with six prongs, used in winnowing grain (Isa 30:24, KJV “fan”). Used fig. in Jeremiah 15:7, KJV “fan.” Bezalel, the chief architect of the Tabernacle, was also a skillful metal artificer, and among the implements he made for it were bronze forks (Exod 38:3; cf. 27:3). David provided gold to make implements, including forks, for the Temple (1 Chron 28:17), and Huram-abi made some of bronze (2 Chron 4:16).

3. Πτύον. John the Baptist said that when the Messiah came He would take a winnowing fork in His hand and purge the floor of chaff and burn it with unquenchable fire (Matt 3:12, KJV “fan”).