Milk
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(1 Cor. 3:2)—a liquid and very nourishing food, obtained chiefly from the milking of cows; in the East, however, as is known from Holy Scripture, milk was also obtained from sheep, goats, and camels, and was valued more highly and used more readily than cow’s milk. The simplest and first spiritual food, by which every person reborn of the Holy Spirit is nourished and sustained at the beginning, is compared in Holy Scripture to natural milk (Heb. 5:12). The expression “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Josh. 5:6) signifies a country of extraordinary fertility, providing everything necessary for the sustenance and prosperity of the people.
The phrase “wine and milk” (Is. 55:1) signifies all spiritual blessings and privileges. The prohibition to boil a kid in its mother’s milk (Ex. 23:19) probably relates to some pagan custom connected with the offering of firstfruits in sacrifice. This prohibition is repeated twice more (Ex. 34:26, Deut. 14:21). Cheese was usually prepared from milk (2 Sam. 17:29). When it hardened, it was broken into pieces for use as food (see Cheese).