Curd, a dairy product derived from the coagulation of milk, is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, reflecting its significance in the diet and culture of ancient Near Eastern societies. In biblical times, curd was a staple food, often consumed with honey or bread, and was a symbol of abundance and nourishment.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 18:8 : "Then Abraham brought curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set them before the men. And he stood by them under the tree as they ate." This passage describes the hospitality of Abraham when he entertained three visitors, who are later revealed to be divine messengers. The offering of curds, along with milk and meat, underscores the importance of curd as a valued food item in ancient hospitality practices.

2. Deuteronomy 32:14 : "with curds from the herd and milk from the flock, with the fat of lambs, rams of Bashan and goats, with the finest grains of wheat, and the blood of grapes you drank as wine." Here, curds are listed among the blessings and abundance provided by God to the Israelites. The mention of curds alongside other rich foods highlights its role as a symbol of divine provision and prosperity.

3. 2 Samuel 17:29 : "honey and curds, sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and his people to eat. For they said, 'The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.'" In this context, curds are part of the sustenance provided to David and his followers during a time of need, illustrating its practical use as a nourishing and sustaining food.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In the ancient Near East, curd was not only a dietary staple but also a symbol of hospitality and divine blessing. Its inclusion in meals offered to guests or in descriptions of abundance reflects the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites, where dairy products were a key component of daily sustenance.

Theologically, the provision of curds in the biblical narrative can be seen as a reflection of God's care and provision for His people. Just as curds were a nourishing and sustaining food, God's provision is depicted as abundant and life-sustaining.

Preparation and Use:

Curd is made by curdling milk, a process that separates the solid curds from the liquid whey. This was typically achieved by adding a natural acidic substance, such as vinegar or lemon juice, or by allowing the milk to sour naturally. The resulting curds could be consumed fresh or preserved for later use.

In biblical times, curds were often eaten with honey, as suggested in Isaiah 7:15 : "He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to reject evil and choose good." This combination was not only nutritious but also a delicacy, symbolizing the land's fertility and God's promise of provision.

Symbolism:

Curds, as a symbol of nourishment and abundance, are often associated with the Promised Land, "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8). This imagery conveys the richness and fertility of the land that God promised to the Israelites, where curds, as a product of milk, represent the fulfillment of God's promises and the sustenance He provides.

In summary, curd in the Bible is more than just a food item; it is a symbol of hospitality, divine provision, and the abundance of God's blessings. Its presence in the biblical narrative underscores the cultural and theological importance of dairy products in the life and faith of the ancient Israelites.1. (n.) The coagulated or thickened part of milk, as distinguished from the whey, or watery part. It is eaten as food, especially when made into cheese.

2. (n.) The coagulated part of any liquid.

3. (n.) The edible flower head of certain brassicaceous plants, as the broccoli and cauliflower.

4. (v. t.) To cause to coagulate or thicken; to cause to congeal; to curdle.

5. (v. i.) To become coagulated or thickened; to separate into curds and whey

2529. chemah -- curd
... 2528, 2529. chemah. 2530 . curd. Transliteration: chemah Phonetic Spelling:
(khem-aw') Short Definition: curds. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/2529.htm - 6k

1385. gebinah -- curd, cheese
... 1384, 1385. gebinah. 1386 . curd, cheese. Transliteration: gebinah Phonetic
Spelling: (gheb-ee-naw') Short Definition: cheese. Word ...
/hebrew/1385.htm - 6k

The Story of the Tower of Babel
... Then Abraham took curd and milk, with the calf which he had prepared, and served
them; and he waited on them under the tree, while they ate. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the story of the tower.htm

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

Psalm LXVIII.
... as though it were with milk; [2780] a mountain rich to strengthen and enrich them
by the excellence of the gifts; for even the milk itself whence curd is made ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxviii.htm

Curd (8 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To become coagulated or thickened; to separate into curds and whey.
Multi-Version Concordance Curd (8 Occurrences). Genesis ...
/c/curd.htm - 9k

Curds (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 18:8 And he took curd, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and
set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. ...
/c/curds.htm - 8k

Curdle (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To change into curd; to coagulate; as, rennet
causes milk to curdle. ... 3. (vt) To change into curd; to cause to coagulate. ...
/c/curdle.htm - 7k

Thrusting (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Thrust. 2. (n.) The act of pushing with force. 3. (n.)
The act of squeezing curd with the hand, to expel the whey. ...
/t/thrusting.htm - 8k

Cheese (3 Occurrences)
... (1.) 1 Samuel 17:18, "ten cheeses;" ie, ten sections of curd. (2.) 2 Samuel
17:29, "cheese of kine" = perhaps curdled milk of kine. ...
/c/cheese.htm - 8k

Fattened (19 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:14 Curd of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of
the breed of Bashan, and he-goats, with the kidney-fat of wheat; and of the ...
/f/fattened.htm - 12k

Curdled (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Curdled (2 Occurrences). Judges 5:25 Water he asked, milk
she gave him; in a lordly bowl she brought him curd. (See NIV). ...
/c/curdled.htm - 6k

Curbing (2 Occurrences)

/c/curbing.htm - 7k

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

Sweat (3 Occurrences)
... physiological explanation of the phenomenon presents: (1) the word (thrombos)
translated "drop" means literally, "a clot of blood," "a lump," "a curd," and is ...
/s/sweat.htm - 14k

Curd: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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