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Butter

Nature

What is the meaning of Butter in the Bible?

Butter is a dairy product obtained by churning the cream of milk from various animals, including cows, sheep, goats, and camels.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding butter clarifies references to dietary richness and hospitality in biblical narratives, as it was a valuable commodity often associated with abundance and special occasions rather than daily staples.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Butter were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Butter in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Butter clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Butter." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/butter/
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