Exodus 23:19
ESV - 19 The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. "You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk.
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
I've always understood that boiling a goat-kid in its mother's milk was a pagan cultic practice which the Israelite people were to avoid. Perhaps forbidding this one action was intended to forbid all the pagan practices during a particular festival. I wish I had a definitive reference for you that I had researched and thought trustworthy, but I believe I've read this from multiple sources.
Great question, David! I wondered about this for decades. But now here's what I think. In my opinion, of the 8 reasons that NG & TH suggest, I think that there are only 2 reasons for not boiling a goat in the mother's milk. One: because it was cruel to destroy a baby goat in the very milk which sustained it. and Two: because it shows contempt for the parent-child relationship.
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.