In biblical times, the process of curdling milk was a common practice, often associated with the production of cheese and other dairy products. The term "curdle" refers to the coagulation of milk, where it thickens and separates into curds and whey. This process is mentioned in the Bible, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle and dietary customs of ancient Near Eastern cultures.

Biblical References:

The concept of curdling is indirectly referenced in the Bible, particularly in the context of milk and dairy products. One of the most notable mentions is found in the Book of Job, where the imagery of curdling is used metaphorically to describe the formation of human life:

· Job 10:10 : "Did You not pour me out like milk, and curdle me like cheese?"

In this passage, Job uses the metaphor of curdling to describe the intricate and deliberate process of his creation by God. The imagery of milk being poured out and curdled into cheese emphasizes the care and precision involved in the formation of life, highlighting God's sovereignty and craftsmanship.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, milk was a staple food, and its transformation into curds and cheese was a practical way to preserve it. The process of curdling milk was well understood and widely practiced. It involved adding a curdling agent, such as rennet or an acidic substance, to fresh milk, causing it to thicken and separate into solid curds and liquid whey. The curds could then be pressed and aged to produce cheese, a valuable source of nutrition.

The Bible often uses agricultural and pastoral imagery to convey spiritual truths, and the process of curdling is no exception. It serves as a metaphor for transformation and creation, illustrating how God shapes and forms His creation with intention and care.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the metaphor of curdling in Job 10:10 underscores the intimate involvement of God in the creation of human life. It reflects the belief in God's omnipotence and His role as the divine Creator who meticulously forms each individual. This imagery aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's providence and His active participation in the world.

Furthermore, the use of everyday processes like curdling in biblical metaphors highlights the accessibility of God's truths to the people of that time. By drawing on familiar experiences, the biblical authors were able to communicate profound spiritual insights in a relatable manner.

In summary, while the specific act of curdling is not extensively detailed in the Bible, its metaphorical use in Job provides a rich illustration of God's creative power and the intricate design of human life. The cultural practice of curdling milk into cheese serves as a backdrop for understanding this imagery within the biblical narrative.1. (v. i.) To change into curd; to coagulate; as, rennet causes milk to curdle.

2. (v. i.) To thicken; to congeal.

3. (v. t.) To change into curd; to cause to coagulate.

4. (v. t.) To congeal or thicken.

CURDLE

kur'-dl (qapha', "to congeal," "harden," "curdle"): Occurs in Job 10:10, "Hast thou not. curdled me like cheese?" i.e. made him take solid form. "The formation of the embryo is a mystery on which the Hebrew dwells with a deep and reverential awe: compare Psalm 139:13-16." These similes are often met with in the Koran and oriental poetry. See Speaker's Commentary in the place cited

7087. qapha' -- to thicken, condense, congeal
... qapha'. 7087a . to thicken, condense, congeal. Transliteration: qapha' Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-faw') Short Definition: congealed. congeal, curdle, dark, settle ...
/hebrew/7087.htm - 5k

7087a. qapha -- to thicken, condense, congeal
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to thicken, condense, congeal NASB Word Usage
congealed (1), curdle (1), dwindle (1), stagnant (1). 7087, 7087a. ...
/hebrew/7087a.htm - 5k

Knowledge. Worship. Gratitude.
... Do not by a rebellious pride curdle the sweet milk of knowledge, and sour your precious
blessing into an awful curse. It is soon done, but not so soon undone. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/knowledge worship gratitude.htm

Trumpets and Street Corners
... most heed to avoid. One drop of this sour stuff will curdle whole gallons
of the milk of human kindness. The hypocrisy which hoodwinks ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/trumpets and street corners.htm

A Solemn Embassy
... ammunition against thee? Listen to his thunders, and let thy blood curdle!
Let his lightning flash, and how art thou amazed! How, then ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/a solemn embassy.htm

The Two Effects of the Gospel
... I am aware that the Word of God will sometimes make their blood curdle within them;
but I know (for I have seen the men) that there are many who turn the grace ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the two effects of the.htm

All Joy in all Trials
... Is there any virtue that has not been weather-beaten? Is there any love that has
not at times been so tried that it threatened to curdle into hate? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/all joy in all trials.htm

Hymns on the Nativity. Hymn i. This is the Day that Gladdened Them ...
... of David; he brought cheeses to his brethren; these were made by separating the
curd from the whey with rennet, a small quantity of which will curdle much milk ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymns on the nativity hymn.htm

Human Inability
... him whom thou hast angered and incensed? Dost not this make thy knees knock
together, and thy blood curdle? If it does so I rejoice ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/human inability.htm

Rom. x. 14, 15
... Art thou horrified at the words? Is it not then more horrible when thou dost
not even thus much? And here the word makes thy blood curdle. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xviii rom x 14.htm

The High Woods
... yearly rain and more than eighty degrees of perpetual heat make swift work with
vegetable fibre, which, in our cold and sluggard clime, would curdle into leaf ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vii the high woods.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Curdle (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To change into curd; to coagulate; as, rennet
causes milk to curdle. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CURDLE. ...
/c/curdle.htm - 7k

Curd (8 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To cause to coagulate or thicken; to cause to congeal; to curdle. 5. (vi)
To become coagulated or thickened; to separate into curds and whey. ...
/c/curd.htm - 9k

Yearn (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To pain; to grieve; to vex. 2. (vi) To be pained
or distressed; to grieve; to mourn. 3. (vi & t.) To curdle, as milk. ...
/y/yearn.htm - 7k

Quail (5 Occurrences)
... cower. 3. (vt) To cause to fail in spirit or power; to quell; to crush;
to subdue. 4. (vi) To curdle; to coagulate, as milk. 5. (n ...
/q/quail.htm - 13k

Turn (963 Occurrences)
... Iliad. 9. (vt) To make acid or sour; to ferment; to curdle, etc.: as, to
turn cider or wine; electricity turns milk quickly. 10. ...
/t/turn.htm - 41k

Earn (6 Occurrences)
... laurels. 4. (vt & i.) To grieve. 5. (vi) To long; to yearn. 6. (vi) To curdle,
as milk. Multi-Version Concordance Earn (6 Occurrences). ...
/e/earn.htm - 8k

Curdled (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Curdle. Multi-Version Concordance
Curdled (2 Occurrences). Judges 5:25 Water he asked, milk ...
/c/curdled.htm - 6k

Curious (18 Occurrences)
... beautiful network or tapestry" (Perowne in the place cited.). See also
CURDLE. Periergos, "working round about," is used of the ...
/c/curious.htm - 14k

Set (6715 Occurrences)
... a sash. 10. (vt) To render stiff or solid; especially, to convert into
curd; to curdle; as, to set milk for cheese. 11. (vt) To ...
/s/set.htm - 20k

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