MILK/BREAST

Definition

Simple. Therefore it can be used in the sense of “unmixed, undefiled, uncorrupted” (hence clean, pure) or in the sense of uncomplicated, easy. 

Scripture

• Milk is used in the sense of undefiled, clean. Therefore good for washing.

Song of Solomon 5:12 (KJV) His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.

Genesis 49:12 (LITV) His eyes shall be dark from wine and his teeth white from milk.

Lamentations 4:7 (KJV) Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:

• Because milk means simple, it can also be used for something that is uncomplicated, easy, like simple teaching about Jesus.

• These verses say that milk is for babies. Knowing that “baby/infant” means “unlearned,” this makes sense.  Milk (simplicity) is for infants (the unlearned).

Hebrews 5:12-13 (NKJV) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe [meaning unlearned].

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (NKJV) And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes [meaning unlearned] in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk [simple teaching] and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;

1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV) as newborn babes [unlearned], desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby…

• Isaiah describes those just weaned from milk and just weaned/removed from the breasts as the opposite of the “priest and prophet.” In other words, the priest and prophet are the supposed learned ones, and those just weaned from the milk and breasts as those simpler/more unlearned than they.

• This verse not only helps define the word “milk,” but also the word “breast,” as synonymous.

Isaiah 28:7-9 (MKJV) But they also have sinned through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way. The priest and the prophet have sinned through drink; they are swallowed up by wine; they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. 8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness; no place is clean. 9 Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Those weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts.

• Compare these two verses. Both are chapters referring to the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 55 says that you can get wine, milk, and (implies) bread from the Spirit, while Isaiah 32 says that, before the Spirit was given, they were mourning for the vine (instead of wine), the breasts (instead of milk), and the fields (possibly instead of bread). So breasts are used interchangeable with milk.

Isaiah 55:1-2 (NKJV) …Come to the waters [speaking of Spirit, John 7:37-39]; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread…

Isaiah 32:12-15 (MKJV) They shall mourn for the breasts [instead of milk], for the pleasant fields [instead of bread?], for the fruitful vine [instead of wine]. …until the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is thought to be a forest.