Children's food everywhere (1 Peter 2:2; 1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12). In the East a leading element in men's diet also. "A land flowing with milk" symbolizes abundance (Exodus 3:8; Deuteronomy 6:3). Chalab , "milk," means "fairness, fresh milk"; chemah is "milk coagulated", and is translated in KJV "butter"; rather leben , an Eastern preparation of milk (Judges 4:19; Judges 5:25). Emblem of gospel blessings (Isaiah 55:1). In Job 21:24 translated for "breasts" "his milk vessels (Lee: Umbreit, his watering places for his herds) are full of milk." Also Job 20:17; Job 29:6, "I washed my steps with butter," i.e. wherever I stepped the richest plenty flowed for me.
Isaiah 60:16, "thou shalt suck the milk of the Gentiles," i.e. draw to thyself all their riches, or have them completely subject (Ezekiel 25:4). The milk of sheep, camels, goats, and cows was used (Deuteronomy 32:14; Genesis 32:15; Proverbs 27:27); "butter" in our sense occurs Proverbs 30:33. The leben; keeps for a considerable time, and so was suited to David's weary followers (2 Samuel 17:29). When the abundance of milk was due to the absence of tillage and of men to cultivate the lands, it was predicted as a scourge consequent on hostile invasion (Isaiah 7:22). Still offered in hospitality to the passing stranger, as by Abraham, Genesis 18:8.
From the co-author of the classic Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary, Fausset's Bible Dictionary stands as one of the best single-volume Bible encyclopedias ever written for general use. The author's writing style is always clear and concise, and he tackles issues important to the average student of the Bible, not just the Biblical scholars. This makes Fausset an excellent tool for both everyday Bible study and in-depth lesson or sermon preparation.Wikipedia
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