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.