Topical Bible: Milk of Sheep

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Biblical References and Context

The mention of sheep's milk in the Bible is relatively sparse, yet it holds significance in the context of pastoral and agrarian life in ancient Israel. Sheep were among the primary livestock of the Israelites, providing not only wool and meat but also milk, which was a staple in their diet. The Bible often uses pastoral imagery to convey spiritual truths, and sheep's milk, as a product of this lifestyle, is part of that imagery.

In Deuteronomy 32:14, the blessings of the Promised Land are described, highlighting the abundance and richness of the land's produce: "curds of cattle and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the finest kernels of wheat—and you drank the foaming wine of the blood of the grape." . Here, the "milk of sheep" is part of the bounty that God provides, symbolizing prosperity and divine provision.

Cultural and Nutritional Significance

In the ancient Near East, sheep's milk was a valuable resource. It was consumed directly or processed into products like cheese and yogurt. The nutritional value of sheep's milk is notable; it is rich in vitamins and minerals, providing essential nutrients to the people of that time. The pastoral lifestyle, with its reliance on sheep and other livestock, was central to the economy and sustenance of the Israelites.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Sheep, in biblical literature, often symbolize God's people, and the shepherd represents God or Christ as the caretaker and guide. The provision of sheep's milk can be seen as a metaphor for God's nurturing and sustaining care for His people. Just as sheep's milk nourishes the body, God's word and presence nourish the soul.

The imagery of milk, in general, is used in the New Testament to describe spiritual nourishment. In 1 Peter 2:2, believers are encouraged to "crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" . While this passage does not specifically mention sheep's milk, the concept of milk as a source of growth and sustenance is consistent with the broader biblical theme.

Historical and Theological Insights

The historical context of sheep's milk in the Bible reflects the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where livestock played a crucial role in daily life. Theologically, the mention of sheep's milk in Scripture underscores God's provision and the abundance of His blessings. It serves as a reminder of the physical and spiritual sustenance that God provides to His people.

In summary, while the Bible does not extensively discuss sheep's milk, its inclusion in passages like Deuteronomy 32:14 highlights its importance in the daily life and spiritual symbolism of the Israelites. It represents God's provision and the richness of His blessings, both materially and spiritually.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 32:14
Butter of cows, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and you did drink the pure blood of the grape.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 7:21,22
And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;
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Library

The Name Children Does not Imply Instruction in Elementary ...
... Lord, "He fed them with the produce of the fields; they sucked honey from the rock,
and oil from the solid rock, butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi the name children does.htm

Preface --The Author's Object --The Utility of Written ...
... of good breed. Let a man milk the sheep's milk if he need sustenance: let
him shear the wool if he need clothing. And in this way ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter i prefacethe authors objectthe utility.htm

Thankfulness to God.
... The cow gives her milk and her meat, and the sheep both wool and meat, for the
nourishment and the clothing of man; the dog, which, when wild, was fierce as ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lxiii thankfulness to god.htm

The Gospel Feast
... the precious things of the earth, and the fulness thereof," "honey out of the rock,
and oil out of the flinty rock, butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xii the gospel feast.htm

Demonstration x. --Of Pastors.
... Whoever eats of the milk, let his heart be upon the flock; and let him ... great Pastor,
be ye not like hirelings; because the hireling cares not for the sheep. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration x of pastors.htm

Shepherd Life in the Orient.
... From sheep the people are furnished with nearly all the necessaries of
life"with meat, clothing, milk, butter, and cheese. The ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/ii shepherd life in the.htm

John Chapter x. 22-42
... of the solid food of God's word, let him find nourishment in the milk of faith ... bear
witness of me: but ye believe not; because ye are not of my sheep." Ye have ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlviii john chapter x.htm

To Eulalius, Bishop of Persian Armenia.
... who is a shepherd and who a hireling; who diligently feeds the flock and who on
the other hand feeds on the milk and thinks little of the safety of the sheep. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/lxxvii to eulalius bishop of.htm

V. ...
... These men are anxious for the wool and milk of the sheep; they ask no questions
about the food,"just the course of our bishops now,"a thing that has become ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter v v .htm

Epistle ii. From the Roman Clergy to the Carthaginian Clergy ...
... and have not bound up that which was broken, but have eaten their milk, and been ...
teaches, saying, "I am the good shepherd, who lay down my life for the sheep. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle ii from the roman.htm