Topical Bible: Milk: Made Into: Butter

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, milk was a staple in the diet of the Israelites and other ancient Near Eastern cultures. It was not only consumed in its liquid form but also processed into various products, including butter. The process of making butter from milk involved churning, which separated the butterfat from the buttermilk. This practice is reflected in several biblical passages, highlighting the significance of butter in the daily life and economy of the people.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 18:8 : "Then Abraham brought curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set them before the men. And he stood by them under the tree as they ate." In this passage, Abraham offers hospitality to three visitors by serving them a meal that includes curds, a form of dairy product similar to butter. This indicates the value placed on dairy products in ancient hospitality customs.

2. Deuteronomy 32:14 : "with curds from the herd and milk from the flock, with fattened lambs and goats, with choice rams of Bashan, and the finest kernels of wheat. You drank the foaming blood of the grape." Here, the abundance of dairy products, including curds, is part of the blessings described in the Song of Moses. The mention of curds alongside other luxurious foods underscores its importance as a symbol of prosperity and divine blessing.

3. Proverbs 30:33 : "For as the churning of milk produces butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so stirring up anger brings forth strife." This proverb uses the process of churning milk into butter as an analogy for the natural consequences of certain actions. The imagery of churning milk reflects the common knowledge of butter-making in the ancient world.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, livestock such as cows, goats, and sheep were vital for providing milk. The transformation of milk into butter was a practical way to preserve the nutritional benefits of milk and create a product that could be stored and used over time. Butter was not only a dietary staple but also held economic value, as it could be traded or sold.

The production of butter required skill and effort, as it involved the manual churning of milk. This process was typically carried out by women, who played a crucial role in managing household resources and food preparation. The ability to produce butter and other dairy products was an essential aspect of domestic life and contributed to the sustenance and well-being of the family.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the references to milk and butter in the Bible often symbolize abundance, blessing, and the provision of God. The land "flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8) is a metaphor for the richness and fertility of the Promised Land, indicating God's promise of sustenance and prosperity to His people.

Moreover, the use of butter in hospitality, as seen in the account of Abraham, reflects the biblical principle of generosity and kindness to strangers. Providing the best of one's resources, including butter, was a way to honor guests and demonstrate faithfulness to God's commands regarding hospitality.

In summary, the biblical references to milk being made into butter highlight its significance in the diet, economy, and culture of ancient Israel. Butter served as a symbol of abundance and divine blessing, while also playing a practical role in the daily lives of the people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 30:33
Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood: so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Petty Dishonesty.
... cloth, and the wine-merchant doctors his wine, and the brewer his ale, and the milkman
puts water into his milk, and the butterman sells butter made of Thames ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlvi petty dishonesty.htm

Snake-Worship.
... Their custom was to pour milk, clarified butter, curds, etcetera, etcetera, into
the holes ... They accordingly consecrated two old stone idols, made in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter three snake-worship.htm

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... rich, for his cattle and sheep had grown into great herds ... So Sarah made cakes, and
a tender calf was cooked, and these with butter, and milk, were set ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

The Name Children Does not Imply Instruction in Elementary ...
... is, the Word of God, the Spirit made flesh, the ... which flows from the Word; and into
immortality, through ... Further, many also use the fat of milk, called butter ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi the name children does.htm

My California Trip
... passed daily, he could have three pints of milk every day. ... them, we could imagine
that they entered into the fun ... We made up our minds we would obey the Lord in ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xvii my california trip.htm

The Gospel Feast
... than we Christians, until we take this gift into account ... If Christ now feeds us,
not with milk and honey ... Body and Blood;" if "our sinful bodies are made clean by ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xii the gospel feast.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... And he served them with butter and milk, and the calf, and set ... in the street, and
Lot constrained them and brought them into his house and made a feast ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

Preparation for Service
... Butter, milk, and other such luxuries I soon ceased to use ... The time arrived, but
my kind friend made no allusion to ... to have allowed matters to get into such a ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter iii preparation for service.htm

The First Theban Empire
... with him and joined his tribe." But still Sinuhit did not feel himself in safety,
and fled into Kaduma, to ... Much butter was made for me, and milk prepared in ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Of the Prophecies of the Birth and Achievements of Christ.
... into the land of promise, "flowing with milk and honey ... For Joshua was to introduce
the people into the land ... momentary glow of the Gentiles"but made it shine ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter ix of the prophecies of.htm