King James Bible Dictionary

A person employed to perform culinary service. In early times among the Hebrews cooking was performed by the mistress of the household (Genesis 18:2-6; Judges 6:19), and the process was very expeditiously performed (Genesis 27:3, 4, 9, 10). Professional cooks were afterwards employed (1 Samuel 8:13; 9:23). Few animals, as a rule, were slaughtered (other than sacrifices), except for purposes of hospitality (Genesis 18:7; Luke 15:23). The paschal lamb was roasted over a fire (Exodus 12:8, 9; 2 Chronicles 35:13). Cooking by boiling was the usual method adopted (Leviticus 8:31; Exodus 16:23). No cooking took place on the Sabbath day (Exodus 35:3).

COOK, verb transitive [Latin]

1. To prepare, as victuals for the table, by boiling, roasting, baking, broiling, etc. To dress, as meat or vegetables, for eating.

2. To prepare for any purpose.

3. To throw. [Obs. or local.]

COOK, verb intransitive To make the noise of the cuckoo.

COOK, noun [Latin] One whose occupation is to prepare victuals for the table; a man or woman who dresses meat or vegetables for eating.

COOKED, participle present tense Prepared for the table.

COOKERY, noun The art or the practice of dressing and preparing victuals for the table.

A kid might not be seethed in the mother's milk
Deuteronomy 14:21

Spice used in
Ezekiel 24:10

Ephraim, a cake unturned
Hosea 7:8

In the temple
Ezekiel 46:19-24
Bread; Oven

As meet did not form an article of ordinary diet among the Jews, the art of cooking was not carried to any perfection. Few animals were slaughtered except for purposes of hospitality or festivity. The proceedings on such occasions appear to have been as follows:

On the arrival of a guest, the animal, either a kid, lamb or calf, was killed, (Genesis 18:7; Luke 15:23) its throat being cut so that the blood might be poured out, (Leviticus 7:26) it was then flayed, and was ready for either roasting or boiling. In the former case the animal was preserved entire, (Exodus 12:46) and roasted either over a fire, (Exodus 12:8) of wood, (Isaiah 44:16) or perhaps in an oven, consisting simply of a hole dug in the earth, well heated, and covered up. Boiling, however, was the more usual method of cooking.

COOKING, participle present tense Preparing victuals for the table.

COOKMAID, noun [cook and maid.] A female servant or maid who dresses provisions.

COOKROOM, noun [cook and room.] A room for cookery; a kitchen. On board of ships, a galley or caboose.