Proverbs 27:27 - Exposition

Goats' milk. Dr. Geikie ('Holy Land and Bible,' 1.311) notes that in most parts of Palestine goats' milk in every form—sour, sweet, thick, thin, warm, or cold—makes, with eggs and bread, the main food of the people. And maintenance for thy maidens; who milk the goats, etc; and tend the cattle, and do the household work. There is no mention of the use of animal flesh as food. It was only on great occasions, as high festivals, or the presence of an honoured guest, that kids, lambs, and calves were killed and eaten. This picture of rural peace and plenty points to a time of security and prosperity, free alike from internal commotion and external danger. The famous passage in Cicero, 'De Senect.,' 15; on the pleasures and advantages of the agricultural life. will occur to all classical readers. So also Horace ('Epod.,' 2), " Beatus ille qui procul negotiis ," etc. The LXX . makes short work of this verse, "My son, thou hast from me sayings mighty for thy life and for the life of thy servants."