Milk

A common source of food and nourishment, associated with rich and productive land. The term is also used figuratively as a form of spiritual food suitable for those who have yet to reach maturity in the Christian faith.

Milk as a source of nourishment

Deuteronomy 32:13–14 See also Genesis 18:8; Judges 4:19; 2 Samuel 17:29; Proverbs 27:27; Ezekiel 25:4; 1 Corinthians 9:7 illustrating the support of the ministry

He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him the produce of the field. He nourished him with honey from the rock and oil from the flinty crag, with curds from the herd and milk from the flock, with the fat of lambs, with rams from Bashan, and goats, with the choicest grains of wheat. From the juice of the finest grapes you drank the wine.

Milk as an indication of prosperity and well-being

Deuteronomy 6:3 A frequent description of the promised land; Isaiah 55:1 See also Exodus 3:8; Leviticus 20:24; Numbers 13:27; Isaiah 7:22, Isaiah 60:16; Ezekiel 20:6; Joel 3:18

Hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe them, so that you may prosper and multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!

Laws concerning milk

Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26; Deuteronomy 14:21

Elementary Christian teaching likened to milk

Hebrews 5:12–13 See also 1 Corinthians 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2

Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.

Milk used figuratively

Proverbs 30:33 See also Genesis 49:12; Job 10:10; Song of Solomon 4:11, Song of Solomon 5:12; Lamentations 4:7

For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”