JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

January 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question concerning why we are commanded not to "seethe a kid in its mother's milk" (Ex. 23:19). This command is repeated in Exodus 34:26 and in Deuteronomy 14:21.

In each case, the context shows that the subject under discussion is the proper observance of God's Holy Days. God did not want His people Israel borrowing customs from the pagans to use in worshipping Him (Deut. 12:28-32).

According to "Clarke's Commentary," the pagans had a fertility rite which involved seething or boiling a kid in the milk of its mother and sprinkling the broth as a magic charm on their gardens and fields. This was done in the hope of increasing the yield of their crops. God warned His people not to pollute His Holy Days by following this pagan custom.

Others nave suggested that this command prohibits boiling and eating an UNWEANED kid. In this case, the Hebrew preposition would have to be translated "on" instead of "in" the mother's milk. This is a possible rendering of the original Hebrew word in this sentence.

We hope you will let us know whenever we may assist you further with your study of the Bible. It is our pleasure to serve you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT