Topical Bible: The Calf: Fed On: Milk

◄ The Calf: Fed On: Milk ►

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In biblical times, the calf holds significant symbolism and practical importance within the agrarian society of ancient Israel. Calves, as young cattle, were essential to the livelihood of the people, providing future sources of labor, milk, and meat. The nurturing and feeding of calves, particularly with milk, is a natural and necessary process for their growth and development.

Biblical References:

The Bible makes several references to calves, often highlighting their role in religious practices, daily life, and as symbols of prosperity and idolatry. While specific mentions of calves being fed milk are not explicitly detailed, the natural understanding of animal husbandry in the ancient Near East implies this practice.

Symbolism and Usage:

1. Religious Sacrifices:
Calves were often used in sacrificial offerings to God, symbolizing purity and devotion. In Leviticus 9:2 , Aaron is instructed to take a calf for a sin offering, indicating the calf's role in atonement rituals: "He said to Aaron, 'Take a calf for your sin offering and a ram for your burnt offering, both without blemish, and present them before the LORD.'"

2. Idolatry:
The calf also appears as a symbol of idolatry, most notably in the incident of the golden calf in Exodus 32. The Israelites, in Moses' absence, demanded an idol, and Aaron fashioned a golden calf, which they worshipped, leading to God's anger. This event underscores the tension between true worship and idolatry.

3. Prosperity and Abundance:
Calves are often associated with abundance and prosperity. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father orders the fattened calf to be killed in celebration of his son's return (Luke 15:23): "Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate." This highlights the calf as a symbol of joy and festivity.

Cultural Context:

In the agrarian context of the Bible, milk was a staple food, and the feeding of calves with milk was a common practice to ensure their healthy growth. The nurturing of calves with milk reflects the broader biblical theme of care and provision, as seen in the metaphorical use of milk in passages like 1 Peter 2:2 : "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."

Theological Implications:

The imagery of calves and milk in the Bible can also be seen as a reflection of God's provision and care for His people. Just as a calf is nurtured and fed to grow strong, believers are encouraged to seek spiritual nourishment to grow in faith and maturity. The nurturing process of feeding calves with milk serves as a metaphor for the spiritual growth and sustenance provided by God's word and presence.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly detail the feeding of calves with milk, the practice is understood within the cultural and historical context of the time. Calves, as part of the broader biblical narrative, symbolize various aspects of life, worship, and spiritual growth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 6:10
And the men did so; and took two milk cows, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Under the Three Pastors, --There were Manifold Shepherds
... Death,"upon the souls of men he fed."The calf ... the two mothers that bare them."The
calf which the ... 16. The first in his simple words,"gave milk unto his ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiv under the three.htm

Letter i. The Christian's Mark.
... of the stall." A healthy calf, that is fed in the ... If the calf is diseased, or if
he refuses to eat, he ... as the infant is nourished by its mother's milk, and to ...
/.../letter i the christians mark.htm

Demonstration x. --Of Pastors.
... them because of their sins, in that they worshipped the calf, Moses prayed ... [1029]
So Simon fed His sheep ... Every one who feeds the flock shall eat of their milk. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration x of pastors.htm

V. ...
... and weak Christians; let them be carefully fed, and thrive ... born children, and drink
the pure milk: so that ... out all that former"strikes the calf dead,"that ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v .htm

Give us Today Our Needful Bread
... served with friendship and grace than a fatted calf with enmity. ... word of God is given
either as milk as befits ... David speaks of the serpent body being fed on by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xvii give us today.htm

Of Removing Tithes.
... A single Calf is titheable, and the tithe is the tenth ... Cattle fed upon meadow ground
after it is mowed, shall not ... where tithe is not paid for the milk; but, if ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/8 of removing tithes.htm

The Teacher Come from God and the Teacher from Jerusalem - Jesus ...
... A milk-faith,' as Luther pithily calls it, which fed on, and ... some of the absurd Rabbinic
pretensions to miracles - such as the creation of a calf by two ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the teacher come.htm

The Call of Abraham
... flocks and his father's flocks had been fed, and he ... was the world's own breast, flowing
with milk and honey ... the home; it made jubilee; the fatted calf was killed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the call of abraham.htm

Letter Xlv (Circa AD 1120) to a Youth Named Fulk, who Afterwards ...
... and having known the sweetness of the milk which can ... If he demands a lamb from the
flock, a calf from the ... You, indeed, says Christ, have fed them, but with My ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xlv circa a d 1120.htm

There have Come to Me Ransomers from among the Saints, but None ...
... A fount of milk and honey, made he flow for me ... The Levites slew because of the calf,
their fathers and their ... the prayer of Asa and Hezekiah, I was fed upon the ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxxix there have come.htm