Cheeses are mentioned in the Bible as a form of sustenance and provision, reflecting their role in the diet and culture of ancient Near Eastern societies. The production and consumption of cheese date back thousands of years, and it was a staple food in biblical times, valued for its nutritional content and long shelf life.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Samuel 17:18 : In the account of David and Goliath, Jesse instructs his son David to take provisions to his brothers on the battlefield. Among these provisions are cheeses: "Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are doing and bring back some assurance from them." This passage highlights the use of cheese as a practical and portable food item, suitable for sustaining soldiers in the field.

2. 2 Samuel 17:29 : During Absalom's rebellion, David and his people are provided with various supplies, including cheese: "honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd, for David and his people to eat. For they said, 'The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the wilderness.'" Here, cheese is part of a generous provision to support David and his followers, emphasizing its role as a nourishing food.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, cheese was typically made from the milk of sheep, goats, or cows. The process involved curdling the milk, draining the whey, and pressing the curds into molds. Cheese was often salted to enhance flavor and preservation. It was a versatile food, consumed fresh or aged, and could be easily transported, making it an ideal provision for travelers and soldiers.

Cheese's inclusion in biblical narratives underscores its importance in daily life and its role in hospitality and sustenance. It was a common food item that could be shared as a gift or used to support those in need, as seen in the accounts of David.

Symbolism and Significance:

While cheese itself is not heavily laden with symbolic meaning in the Bible, its presence in the text can be seen as a representation of God's provision and care for His people. The sharing of cheese and other foods in times of need reflects the biblical themes of community support, generosity, and the meeting of physical needs.

In summary, cheese in the Bible serves as a testament to the agricultural practices and dietary customs of ancient Israel. It is a humble yet significant element of the biblical narrative, illustrating the practical aspects of life in biblical times and the enduring importance of food as a means of sustenance and fellowship.

From John Yeardley's Conversion to the Commencement of his Public ...
... His parents, Joel and Frances Yeardley, farmed some land, chiefly pasture, and his
mother is said to have been famous for her cream-cheeses, which she carried ...
/.../chapter i from john yeardleys.htm

The Burning of Hus.
... were telling their beads; the revellers sipped their wine and sang; and the rumbling
carts from the country-side bore bottles of wine, cheeses, butter, honey ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter ii the burning of.htm

Introduction
... religion of sorts;" "he was a critic of sorts." While it originally meant "of different
or various kinds," as hats of sorts; offices of sorts; cheeses of sorts ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/introduction.htm

The Story of David
... put his sheep under the care of another shepherd, and he took with him parched corn
and loaves of bread for his brothers, as well as ten cheeses which his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/david the shepherd boy/the story of david.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... After a time Jesse sent David with asses laden with corn and cakes for his brothers,
and ten little cheeses for their captain; and David led them through the ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

His Own Funeral Sermon
... On a certain day, his father bade him go to his brethren, and take them some corn
and some loaves, with cheeses for their captain; and he reached the camp just ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/his own funeral sermon.htm

La Brea
... commerce. In England and Holland it is used merely, I believe, to colour
cheeses; but in the Spanish Main, to colour human beings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

Hymns on the Nativity. Hymn i. This is the Day that Gladdened Them ...
... E. here alludes to the early days of David; he brought cheeses to his brethren;
these were made by separating the curd from the whey with rennet, a small ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymns on the nativity hymn.htm

The History of Saul
... To whom Jesse said: David, take this pottage, ten loaves of bread, and ten cheeses,
and go run unto the host to thy brethren, and see how they do, and learn ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

Cheeses (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cheeses (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 17:18 and bring
these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and ...
/c/cheeses.htm - 6k

Milk-cheeses (1 Occurrence)
Milk-cheeses. Milk, Milk-cheeses. Milky . Multi-Version Concordance
Milk-cheeses (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 17:29 And ...
/m/milk-cheeses.htm - 6k

Cheese (3 Occurrences)
... (1.) 1 Samuel 17:18, "ten cheeses;" ie, ten sections of curd. (2.) 2 Samuel
17:29, "cheese of kine" = perhaps curdled milk of kine. ...
/c/cheese.htm - 8k

Milk (66 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 17:29 And honey and butter and sheep and milk-cheeses, for David and his
people: for they said, This people is in the waste land, needing food and ...
/m/milk.htm - 34k

Needing (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 17:29 And honey and butter and sheep and milk-cheeses, for David and his
people: for they said, This people is in the waste land, needing food and ...
/n/needing.htm - 9k

Unit (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). 1 Samuel 17:18 and bring these ten cheeses to the captain of their
thousand, and see how your brothers are doing, and bring back news." (See NIV) ...
/u/unit.htm - 8k

Milky (1 Occurrence)

/m/milky.htm - 6k

Chelal (1 Occurrence)

/c/chelal.htm - 6k

Fare (13 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Samuel 17:18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their
thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. ...
/f/fare.htm - 15k

Token (24 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:18 and bring these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and
see how your brothers are doing, and bring back news." (See RSV). ...
/t/token.htm - 16k

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