Milk

(1.) Hebrew halabh, “new milk”, milk in its fresh state (Judg. 4:19). It is frequently mentioned in connection with honey (Ex. 3:8; 13:5; Josh. 5:6; Isa. 7:15, 22; Jer. 11:5). Sheep (Deut. 32:14) and goats (Prov. 27:27) and camels (Gen. 32:15), as well as cows, are made to give their milk for the use of man. Milk is used figuratively as a sign of abundance (Gen. 49:12; Ezek. 25:4; Joel 3:18). It is also a symbol of the rudiments of doctrine (1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:12, 13), and of the unadulterated word of God (1 Pet. 2:2).

(2.) Heb. hem’ah, always rendered “butter” in the Authorized Version. It means “butter,” but also more frequently “cream,” or perhaps, as some think, “curdled milk,” such as that which Abraham set before the angels (Gen. 18:8), and which Jael gave to Sisera (Judg. 5:25). In this state milk was used by travellers (2 Sam. 17:29). If kept long enough, it acquired a slightly intoxicating or soporific power.

This Hebrew word is also sometimes used for milk in general (Deut. 32:14; Job 20:17).

milk (chalabh; gala; Latin lac (2 Esdras 2:19; 8:10)): The fluid secreted by the mammary glands of female mammals for the nourishment of their young. The word is used in the Bible of that of human beings (Isa 28:9) as well as of that of the lower animals (Ex 23:19). As a food it ranked next in importance to bread (Ecclesiasticus 39:26). Palestine is frequently described as a land "flowing with milk and honey" (Ex 3:8,17; Nu 13:27; De 6:3; Jos 5:6; Jer 11:5; Eze 20:6,15). Milk was among the first things set before the weary traveler (Ge 18:8). In fact, it was considered a luxury (Jud 5:25; So 5:1). The people used the milk of kine and also that of sheep (De 32:14), and especially that of goats (Pr 27:27). It was received in pails ('atinim, Job 21:24), and kept in leather bottles (no'dh, Jud 4:19), where it turned sour quickly in the warm climate of Palestine before being poured out thickly like a melting substance (nathakh; compare Job 10:10). Cheese of various kinds was made from it (gebhinah and charitse he-chalabh, literally, "cuts of milk"); or the curds (chem'ah) were eaten with bread, and possibly also made into butter by churning (Pr 30:33). See FOOD, II. It is possible that milk was used for seething other substances; at least the Israelites were strictly forbidden to seethe a kid in its mother's milk (Ex 23:19; 34:26; De 14:21), and by a very general interpretation of these passages Jews have come to abstain from the use of mixtures of meat and milk of all kinds.

Figuratively the word is used

(1) of abundance (Ge 49:12);

(2) of a loved one's charms (So 4:11);

(3) of blessings (Isa 55:1; Joe 3:18);

(4) of the (spiritual) food of immature people (1Co 3:2; Heb 5:12,13);

(5) of purity (1Pe 2:2).

Nathan Isaacs

• → Used for food Ge 18:8; Jud 4:19; So 5:1; Eze 25:4; 1Co 9:7
• → Of goats Pr 27:27
• → Of sheep De 32:14; Isa 7:21,22
• → Of camels Ge 32:15
• → Of cows De 32:14; 1Sa 6:7,10
• → Churned Pr 30:33
• → Kid (a baby goat) not to be seethed (boiled) in its own mother's Ex 23:19; De 14:21
• → FIGURATITE Ex 3:8,17; 13:5; 33:3; Nu 13:27; De 26:9,15; Isa 55:1; 60:16; Jer 11:5; 32:22; Eze 20:6; Joe 3:18; 1Co 3:2; Heb 5:12,13; 1Pe 2:2

• An animal secretion, of a white colour La 4:7
• Used as food by the Jews Ge 18:8; Jud 5:25
• DIFFERENT KINDS MENTIONED
  • Of cows De 32:14; 1Sa 6:7
  • Of camels Ge 32:15
  • Of goats Pr 27:27
  • Of sheep De 32:14
  • Of sea-monsters La 4:3
• Flocks and herds fed for supply of Pr 27:23,27; Isa 7:21,22; 1Co 9:7
• Canaan abounded with Ex 3:8,17; Jos 5:6
• MADE INTO
  • Butter Pr 30:33
  • Cheese Job 10:10
• Kept by the Jews in bottles Jud 4:19
• Young animals not to be seethed in that of the mother Ex 23:19
• ILLUSTRATIVE OF
  • Temporal blessings Ge 49:12
  • Blessings of the gospel Isa 55:1; Joe 3:18
  • First principles of God's word 1Co 3:2; Heb 5:12; 1Pe 2:2
  • Godly and edifying discourses So 4:11
  • Wealth of the Gentiles Isa 60:16
  • Doctrines of the gospel So 5:1