In several places in the Old Testament the instruction is given not to boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.  Some people understand this to mean that you shouldn’t eat meat and dairy products together.  But is that the real intention of the instruction?  Let’s take a closer look.

Here are the verses in question.

Exo 23:19  The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Exo 34:26  “The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

Deu 14:21  “You shall not eat anything that dies of itself; you may give it to the alien who is within your gates, that he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner; for you are a holy people to the LORD your God. “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Note that these verses do not say you shall not eat meat and milk together but are quite specific about not cooking a young goat in its mother’s milk.  Why might that be?

To boil a young goat in its mother’s milk requires the young goat to still be suckling.  To take a suckling goat away from its mother is distressing for the mother.  Apart from being cruel, the distress will have a detrimental impact on the health of the mother.

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk” means don’t kill a young animal while it is still suckling.  Wait for it to be weaned.  That way the mother is not distressed.