Shepherd
SHEPHERD
Or PASTOR.Abel was a keeper of sheep, Gen 4:2, as were the greater number of the ancient patriarchs. When men began to multiply, and to follow different employments, Jabal son of Lamech was acknowledged as father, that is, founder of shepherd and nomads, Gen 4:20 . A large part of the wealth of ancient patriarchs consisted in flocks and herds, the care of which was shared by their sons, daughters, and servants. Rachel the bride of Jacob was a shepherdess, Gen 29:6 ; his sons, the fathers of the tribes of Israel were shepherds, and so was David their king, Psa 78:70-72 . The employment is highly honored in the Bible, Luk 2:8-20 . In the time of the kings, the “chief herdsman” occupies a post of some importance, 1Sa 21:7 2Ki 3:4 1Ch 27:29-31 . In Palestine and its vicinity, besides those who united the keeping of flocks and herds with the tillage of the ground, there were and still are numbers of nomads or wandering shepherds confining themselves to no settled home. These dwellers in tents often had a wide range of pasture grounds, from one to another of which they drove their flocks as occasion required, Gen 37:12-17 . In the vast deserts east and south of Palestine they found many spots which in winter and spring were clothed with verdure, Exo 3:1 Psa 65:12 . But the heat of summer withered these “pastures of the wilderness,” and drove the shepherds and their flocks to seek for highlands and streams. There are many indications in the Scripture of the conscious strength and independence of he ancient shepherd patriarchs, of the extent of their households, and the consideration in which they were held, Gen 14:14-24 21:22-32 26:13-16 30:43 Job 1:3 .God sometimes takes the name of Shepherd of Israel, Psa 80:1 Jer 31:10 ; and kings, both in Scripture and ancient writers, are distinguished by the title of “Shepherds of the people.” The prophets often inveigh against the “shepherds of Israel,” that is, the kings, who feed themselves and neglect their flocks; who distress, illtreat, seduce, and lead them astray, Eze 34:10 . In like manner Christ, as the Messiah, is often called a shepherd,Zec 13:7, and also takes on himself the title of “the Good Shepherd,” who gives his life for his sheep, Joh 10:11,14,15 . Paul calls him the great Shepherd of the sheep, Heb 13:20, and Peter gives him the appellation of Prince of shepherds, 1Pe 5:4 . His ministers are in like manner the pastors or under-shepherds of the flock, Jer 3:15 23:3 Zep 4:11 .In Joh 10:1-16, our Savior says the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep; that he knows them, and they know him; that they hear his voice, and follow him; that he goes before them; that no one shall force them out of his hands, and that he calls them by their names. These, however, being all incidents taken from the customs of the country, are by no means so striking to us as they must have been to those who heard our Lord, and who every day witnessed such methods of conducting this domesticated animal. Modern travelers in the East meet with many pleasing confirmation of the truth of Scripture in respect to these particulars; they see the shepherd walking before his flock, any one of which will instantly run to him when called by its own name. The hireling, or bad shepherd, forsakes the sheep, and the thief enters not by the door of the sheepfold, but climbs in another way. See SHEEP.The Bible applies many of the excellences of the faithful shepherd in illustration of the Savior’s care of his flock. The shepherd was responsible for each member of the flock intrusted to him, Gen 31:39 Exo 22:12 Joh 10:28 ; he had need of great courage and endurance, Gen 31:40 1Sa 17:34,35 Joh 15:10 ; he exercised a tender care towards the feeble, and carried the lambs in his arms, Gen 33:13 Isa 40:11 Mar 10:14,16 ; and searched for the lost sheep, bringing it back from the “land of drought and the shadow of death” into green pastures and still waters, Psa 23:1-6 Luk 15:4-7 .
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Shepherd
The name shepherd is taken from the occupation of the Hebrews as a pastoral tribe (Gen 13:7; Gen 30:36; Gen 37:2; Gen 47:3, Exo 3:1, 1Sa 17:34) and applied to God as the one who feeds and provides for His people (Gen 48:15; Gen 49:24, Isa 40:11, Psa 23:1; Psa 95:7; Psa 100:3; cf. Eze 34:11-31) and to the rulers of the nation (Num 27:17, 2Sa 7:7, 1Ki 22:17, Jer 2:8; Jer 3:15; Jer 23:1-4, Eze 34:2-10, Zec 10:3; Zec 11:3 ff; Zec 13:5). The idea expressed in most of these passages is that the care of Israel, as the flock of His pasture, is given by the Lord in charge of the rulers who are held to account for the welfare of every member of the same. Especially Ezekiel 34 rebukes these shepherds for their neglect of their charge, and ends up (v. Eze 34:23 b) with the prophecy that in the end one shepherd, like unto David the servant of the Lord, will tend them as prince. To this Messianic passage reference is made in Joh 10:11-16, where Jesus is represented as saying: I am the good shepherd; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd; cf. Heb 13:20, 1Pe 2:25; 1Pe 5:4. To His office as Shepherd Jesus refers in Mat 15:24; cf. Jer 50:6. Moses also is represented in Ex. R. ii. 2-3 as the good shepherd to whom the Lord said: Since thon takest such care of the lambs of thy flock, be thou the shepherd of My flocks. The same is said there also of David when chosen by the Lord to be king. Concerning the identification of Christ as the Good Shepherd with Orpheus on ancient Christian paintings see F. Piper, Mythologie und Symbolik der christl. Kunst, Weimar, 1847-51, i. 126; J. P. Lundy, Monumental Christianity, New York, 1876, pp. 187-196; also R. Reitzenstein, Poimandres, Leipzig, 1904, 11-13, 32 f., 113. But the title shepherd or pastor is given in the NT to all the heads of the Church, to the apostle Peter (Joh 21:17; cf. Mat 10:6; Mat 10:16) and to the elders of the Church (Act 20:28, 1Pe 5:2) as having charge of the sheep of Christ, the flock of God. The name (pastor or shepherd) is used in the sense of overseer, episcopus (Eph 4:1), wherefore Jesus is also called the arch-shepherd, (1Pe 5:4). This conception (cf. Philo, ed. Mangey, i. 196) of spiritual rulers as shepherds rests on the original Jewish Didascalia (preserved in the so-called Apostolic Constitutions, ii. 6, 10, 15. 4, 18. 7-18, 19. 1-3, 20. 3-5, 9, 11), where the above-quoted passages from Jeremiah and Ezekiel are interpreted in a spiritual sense as referring to the duties and responsibilities of the overseer of the Church, viz. that he has to look after the spiritual health of each member of the flock, keep them in a sound state of perfect faith, strengthen those weakened by doubt, bind up those bruised by the remorse of sin, and bring back those that have gone astray, while expelling those that may affect the moral or spiritual well-being of the flock by evil conduct or evil doctrine (see article Didascalia in Jewish Encyclopedia ). The name shepherd or pastor became henceforth the title of the bishop (Ignat. ad Phil. ii. 1, ad Rom. ix. 1; Iren. iv. 33; Cyprian, Ep. viii. [ii.], Cleri Romani ad clerum Carthaginensem; Clem. Alex. Strom. i. 26), and later on in Protestant Christianity of the minister of the Church in general. In Enoch lxxxix. 59, xc. 25, the name shepherd is given to the 70 angels ruling the 70 nations of the earth (see R. H. Charles, ad loc., and F. Spitta, Zur Geschichte und Litteratur des Urchristentums, Gttingen, 1901, ii. 367 ff.), also to the angel in Hermas, Mand. iv. 2. 2, Sim. vi. 3. 2. In ancient Babylonia the chief stars bore the name of Shepherds of Heaven.
K. Kohler.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Shepherd
(usually , roeh, a feeder, ; but substantially denoted also by , boker, a herdman, Amo 7:14; and by , noked, a sheep master, 2Ki 3:4; herdman, Amo 1:1). In a nomadic state of society, every man, from the sheik down to the slave, is more or less a shepherd. As many regions in the East are adapted solely to pastoral pursuits, the institution of the nomad life, with its appliances of tents and camp equipage, was regarded as one of the most memorable inventions (Gen 4:20). The progenitors of the Jews in the patriarchal age were nomads, and their history is rich in scenes of pastoral life. The occupation of tending the flocks was undertaken, not only by the sons of wealthy chiefs (Gen 30:29 sq.; Gen 37:12 sq.), but even by their daughters (Gen 29:6 sq.; Exo 2:19). The Egyptian captivity did much to implant a love of settled abode, and consequently we find the tribes which still retained a taste for shepherd. life selecting their own quarters apart from their brethren in the Transjordanic district (Num 32:1 sq.). Henceforward in Palestine proper the shepherd held a subordinate position; the increase of agriculture involved the decrease of pasturage; and though large flocks were still maintained in certain parts, particularly on the borders of the wilderness of Judah, as about Carmel (1Sa 25:2), Bethlehem (1Sa 16:11; Luk 2:8), Tekoah (Amo 1:1), and, more to the south, at Gedor (1Ch 4:39), the nomad life was practically extinct, and the shepherd became one out of many classes of the laboring population. The completeness of the transition from the pastoral to the agricultural state is strongly exhibited in those passages which allude to the presence. of the shepherd’s tent as a token of desolation (e.g. Eze 25:4; Zep 2:6). The humble position of the shepherd at the same period is implied in the notices of David’s wondrous elevation (2Sa 7:8; Psa 78:70), and again in the self-depreciating confession of Amos (Amo 7:14). The frequent and beautiful allusions to the shepherd s office in the poetical portions of the Bible (e.g. Psalms 23; Isa 40:11; Isa 49:9-10; Jer 23:3-4; Eze 34:11-12; Eze 34:23), rather bespeak a period when the shepherd had become an ideal character, such as the Roman poets painted the pastors of Arcadia. SEE PASTURE.
The office of the Eastern shepherd, as described in the Bible, was attended with much hardship and even danger. He was exposed to the extremes of heat and cold (Gen 31:40); his food frequently consisted of the precarious supplies afforded by nature, such as the fruit of the sycamore, or Egyptian fig, (Amo 7:14), the husks of the carob tree (Luk 15:16), or perchance the locusts and wild honey which supported the Baptist (Mat 3:4); he had to encounter the attacks of wild beasts, occasionally of the larger species, such as lions, wolves, panthers, and bears (1Sa 17:34; Isa 31:4; Jer 5:6; Amo 3:12); nor was he free from the risk of robbers or predatory hordes (Gen 31:39). To meet these various. foes the shepherd’s equipment consisted of the following articles: a mantle, made probably of sheep’s skin with the fleece on, which he turned inside out in cold weather, as implied, in the comparison in Jer 43:12 (comp. Juv. 14:187); a scrip or wallet, containing a small amount of food (1Sa 17:40; Porter, Damascus, 2, 100); a sling, which is still the favorite weapon of the Bedawi shepherd (1Sa 17:40; Burckhardt, Notes,1, 57); and, lastly, a staff, which served the double purpose of a weapon against foes and a crook for the management of the flock (1Sa 17:40; Psa 23:4; Zec 11:7). If the shepherd was at a distance from his home, he was provided with a light tent (Son 1:8; Jer 35:7), the removal of which was easily effected (Isa 38:12). In certain localities, moreover, towers were erected for the double purpose of spying an enemy at a distance and, protecting the flock; such towers were erected by Uzziah and Jotham (2Ch 26:10; 2Ch 27:4), while their existence in earlier times is testified by the name Migdal-Eder (Gen 35:21, A.V. tower of Edar; Mic 4:8, A.V. tower of the flock). SEE TOWER.
The routine of the shepherd’s duties appears to have been as follows: in the morning he led forth his flock from the fold (Joh 10:4), which he did by going before them and calling to them, as is still usual in the East; arrived at the pasturage, he watched the flock with the assistance of dogs (Job 30:1), and, should any sheep stray, he had to search for it until he found it (Eze 34:12; Luk 15:4); he supplied them with water, either at a running stream or at troughs attached to wells (Gen 29:7; Gen 30:38; Exo 2:16; Psa 23:2); at evening he brought them back to the fold, and reckoned them to see that none were missing, by passing them under the rod as they entered the door of the enclosure (Lev 27:32; Eze 20:37), checking each sheep as it passed by a motion of the hand (Jer 33:13); and, finally, he watched the entrance of the fold throughout the night, acting as porter (Joh 10:3). We need not assume that the same person was on duty both by night and by day; Jacob, indeed, asserts this of himself (Gen 31:40), but it would be more probable that the shepherds took it by turns, or that they kept watch for a portion only of the night, as may possibly be implied in the expression in Luk 2:8, rendered in the A.V. keeping watch, rather keeping the watches ( ).The shepherd’s office thus required great watchfulness, particularly by night (Luk 2:8; comp. Nah 3:18). It also required tenderness towards the young and feeble (Isa 40:11), particularly in driving them to and from the pasturage (Gen 33:13). In large establishments there were various grades, of shepherds, the highest being styled rulers (Gen 47:6) or chief shepherds (1Pe 5:4); in a royal household the title of , abbir, mighty, was bestowed on the person who held the post (1Sa 21:7). Great responsibility attached to the office; for the chief shepherd had to make good all losses (Gen 31:39); at the same time he had a personal interest in the flock, inasmuch as he was not paid in money, but received a certain amount of the produce (30:32; 1Co 9:7). The life of the shepherd was a monotonous one; he may perhaps have whiled away an hour in playing on some instrument (1Sa 16:18; Job 21:12; Job 30:31), as his modern representative still occasionally does. (Wortabet, Syria, 1, 234). He also had his periodical entertainments at the shearing time, which was celebrated by a general gathering of the neighborhood for festivities (Gen 31:19; Gen 38:12; 2Sa 13:23); but, generally speaking, the life must have been but dull. Nor did it conduce to gentleness of manners; rival shepherds contended for the possession or the use of water with great acrimony (Gen 21:25; Gen 26:20 sq.; Exo 2:17) or perhaps is this a matter of surprise, as those who come late to a well frequently have to wait a long time until their turn comes (Burckhardt, Syria, p. 63). SEE SHEEP.
Large flocks of sheep and goats often constituted the chief wealth of patriarchal times. Job possessed seven thousand sheep (Job 1:3), and Nabal three thousand sheep and a thousand goats (1Sa 25:2). At the present day both sheep and goats usually intermingle in the same flock for pasturage, in the valleys and on the hills of Palestine (Gen 30:35). In one Arab encampment Prof. Robinson saw about six hundred sheep and goats, the latter being the most numerous; and the process of milking was going on at four o clock in the morning. The Arabs have few cows. In Deu 32:14, Moses, in his farewell song, represents Jehovah as having fed Israel with butter of kine and milk of sheep; and the apostle asks, Who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? (1Co 9:7). It shall come to pass in that day that a man shall nourish a young cow and two sheep; and it shall, come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give, that he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land (Isa 7:21-22). Here the milk is the production of the sheep as well as of the cow. SEE MILK.
The hatred of the Egyptians towards shepherds (Gen 46:34) may have been mainly due to their contempt for the sheep itself, which appears to have been valued neither for food (Plutarch, De Is. 72) nor generally for sacrifice (Herod. 2, 42), the only district where they were offered being about the Natron lakes (Strabo, 17, 803). It may have been increased by the memory of the shepherd invasion (Herod, 2, 128). Abundant confirmation of the fact of this hatred is supplied by the low position which all herdsmen held in the castes of Egypt, and by the caricatures of them in Egyptian paintings (Wilkinson, 2, 169). SEE HYKSOS.
The term shepherd is applied in a metaphorical sense to princes (Isa 44:28; Jer 2:8; Jer 3:15; Jer 22:22, Eze 34:2, etc.), prophets (Zec 11:5; Zec 11:8; Zec 11:16), teachers, (Ecc 12:11), and to Jehovah himself (Gen 49:24; Psa 23:1; Psa 80:1); to the same effect are the references to feeding in Gen 48:15; Psa 28:9; Hos 4:16. The prophets often inveigh against the shepherds of Israel, against the kings who feed themselves and neglect their flocks; who distress, ill treat, seduce, and lead them astray (see Eze 34:10 sq.; Num 27:17; 1Ki 22:17; Isa 40:11; Isa 44:28; Jdt 11:15). SEE PASTOR.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Shepherd
a word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the word “pastor” is used instead (Jer. 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16). This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people (Ps. 23:1; 80:1; Isa. 40:11; 44:28; Jer. 25:34, 35; Nahum 3:18; John 10:11, 14; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4).
The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. “In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, See king diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (See 1 Sam. 17:34).”, Deane’s David.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Shepherd
(See SHEEP.) The nomadic state is one of the earliest stages of society, and was regarded as honourable even to a chief (Gen 4:2; Gen 4:20; Gen 30:29 ff; Genesis 37); chiefs’ daughters did not disdain to tend flocks (Gen 29:6, etc.; Exo 2:19). The long stay in Egypt elevated Israel from the nomadic to a settled life. The two and a half nomadic tribes received their portion in the outlying regions beyond Jordan (Numbers 32). As agriculture increased pasturage decreased, and was limited to particular spots, the border of the wilderness of Judah, Carmel (1Sa 25:2), Bethlehem (1Sa 16:11; Luk 2:8), Tekoa (Amo 1:1), and Gedor (1Ch 4:39). Hence the “shepherd’s tent” came to symbolize desolation (Eze 25:4; Zep 2:6). The shepherd’s occupation was now no longer dignified (Psa 78:70; 2Sa 7:8; Amo 7:14).
The shepherd’s office represents Jehovah’s tender care of His people (Psalm 23; Isa 40:11; Isa 49:9-10; Jer 23:3-4; Eze 34:11-12; Eze 34:23). Allusions occur to the exposure to heat and cold (Gen 31:40), the precarious food (Amo 7:14), the husks of the carob (Luk 15:16), the attacks of beasts (1Sa 17:34; Isa 31:4; Amo 3:12), robbers (Gen 31:39). The shepherd had a mantle of sheepskin with the fleece on (Jer 43:12), a wallet for food (1Sa 17:40), a sling such as the Bedouin still carries, a staff to ward off foes and to guide the flock with its crook (Psa 23:4; Zec 11:7; so Jehovah “lifts up His staff against” His people’s foes, Isa 10:1-24; His word is at once our prop of support and our defense against Satan). The shepherd, when far from home, had his light tent (Son 1:8), easily taken down and shifted (Isa 38:12).
Towers were sometimes erected to spy a foe afar off, and to guard the flock (2Ch 26:10; 2Ch 27:4, compare “tower of Edar,” Gen 35:21; Mic 4:8). (See EDAR.) His duty was to go before and call by name the sheep (Joh 10:4), watch it with dogs, a sorry animal in the East (Job 30:1), to search for stray sheep (Eze 34:12; Luk 15:4), to supply water, either at a stream or at troughs by wells (Gen 29:7; Gen 30:38; Exo 2:16), (so Jesus, Psa 23:2), to bring back to the fold at evening and to reckon the sheep that none be missing (compare as to Jesus Joh 18:9; Joh 17:11-12; Joh 10:28-29), passing one by one “under the rod” (Lev 27:32; Jer 33:13; Eze 20:37), (i.e. you shall be counted as Mine, and subjected to My chastening discipline with a view to My ultimate saving of the elect, Mic 7:14), checking each sheep as it passed; to act as porter, guarding the entrance to the fold by night (Joh 10:3).
The shepherds kept watches (plural in Greek, Luk 2:8, not “slumbering,” Nah 3:18) by turns at night, not on duty both night and day as Jacob (Gen 31:40). Tenderness to the young and feeble was the shepherd’s duty, not to overdrive them (Gen 33:13); so Jesus (Isa 40:11-29; Mar 6:31; Mar 8:2; Mar 4:33; Joh 16:12). There were chief and under shepherds (Gen 47:6; 1Pe 5:4), and hirelings not of the family (Joh 10:11-13; 1Sa 21:7). The shepherd had responsibility, and at the same time personal interest in the flock (1Sa 31:39; 1Sa 30:32; 1Co 9:7).
Playing on the pipe beguiled the monotony, and a feast at shearing time gave a yearly variety (1Sa 16:17; Gen 31:19; Gen 38:12; 2Sa 13:23). Shepherds often contended with one another as to water (Gen 26:17-22; Exo 2:17). The Egyptian antipathy to shepherds (whom the monuments always represent as mean) was due to their being themselves agriculturists, whereas the neighbouring Arabs with whom they so often strove were nomads. The seizure of Lower Egypt by shepherd kings (Hyksos) for centuries aggravated this dislike, though the Hyksos were subsequent to Joseph (Gen 46:34). Princes, and even hostile leaders, are called shepherds: Isa 44:28; Jer 2:8; Jer 3:15; Jer 6:3; Eze 34:2; Mic 5:5. Teachers: Ecc 12:11. Messiah: Gen 49:24; Psa 80:1; Zec 13:7; Joh 10:14; Heb 13:20.
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
SHEPHERD
The occupation of shepherd was one of the earliest recorded (Gen 4:2). In the dry semi-desert countries of the Bible story, shepherds lived a hard tough life, battling against heat, drought and wild animals (Gen 31:38-40; Amo 3:12). It is therefore not surprising that shepherd became a word symbol for a leader of Gods people. The emphasis is not only on care and leadership, but also on the ability to endure hardship. The shepherd must be prepared to battle against all opponents who threaten the welfare of those in his care (Joh 10:1; Joh 10:10-12; Act 20:28-29).
Life of a shepherd
Shepherds were a common sight in Palestine and neighbouring countries. They lived in tents and moved around from place to place with their flocks in search of grass and water (Exo 3:1; Deu 8:15; Isa 13:20; see also SHEEP). Often the only water available was at wells that people had dug. These wells were frequently the cause of disputes (Gen 26:12-32).
After the Israelites took possession of Canaan, the shepherds among them settled down more or less permanently with their flocks. They still faced the problem of finding good pastures and water, and still had to meet attacks by wild animals (1Sa 17:34; Psa 23:2; Psa 23:4-5; Mat 10:16). Additional dangers came from thieves who stole sheep by night, and desert people who raided in groups (Gen 31:39; Job 1:14-15; 2Ch 21:16-17; Joh 10:10). The shepherds only weapons were a sling and a stick, though he may have used trained dogs to help him in his work (1Sa 17:40; 1Sa 17:49; Job 30:1; Psa 23:4; Zec 11:7; Zec 11:10).
Sheep had to be protected and watched by shepherds constantly, otherwise they would wander away and be lost. If sheep became lost, the shepherd sometimes had to risk his life in searching for them and rescuing them (Eze 34:8; Eze 34:12; Mat 18:12). The shepherd was responsible to pay the owner the cost of any sheep lost while in his care, unless he could satisfy the owner that he was not to blame for the loss (Gen 31:39; Exo 22:10-13).
At night the shepherd usually kept his sheep in a walled enclosure called a fold, as an added protection against dangers (Num 32:36; Mic 2:12; Hab 3:17; Luk 2:8; Joh 10:1). He counted the sheep as they went in at night, to make sure that none was missing; then, in the morning, he led them out into the fields (Jer 33:13; Eze 20:37; Joh 10:3; Joh 10:27; Joh 17:12).
Leaders of Gods people
The Old Testament often refers to the leaders of Israel as shepherds, and to the people as the flock (Num 27:17; Isa 63:11). Many of Israels leaders were bad shepherds, and because of them the nation crumbled (Isa 56:11; Jer 50:6; Eze 34:2-6; Zec 11:15-17).
In the New Testament also leaders of Gods people are referred to as shepherds of the flock. As elders of a church they have the responsibility to lead it, feeding it with spiritual food and protecting it from spiritual harm (Joh 21:15-17; Act 20:28-29; 1Pe 5:1-3; see ELDER; PASTOR).
The true shepherd, however, is always God (Gen 49:24; Psa 23:1; Isa 40:11). This is seen clearly in the illustration Jesus used to picture himself as the good shepherd. He was so concerned for the sheep that he died for them (Joh 10:1-29; Heb 13:20; 1Pe 2:25; 1Pe 5:4; cf. Eze 34:23-24).
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Shepherd
SHEPHERD.See Sheep.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Shepherd
I should not have paused at this word, being in itself so very well understood, but only to remark the very great blessedness and tenderness of it as assumed by the Lord Jesus Christ. He saith himself, “I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (Joh 10:11) And God the Father also sweetly holds forth the Lord Jesus, in his mediatorial character, under this endearing point of view, as the Shepherd of his church and people.
It would form the subject of a volume, rather than an article in a Concordance, to enter upon the character and office of a Shepherd as peculiarly suited and carried on by Christ; I cannot therefore propose such an undertaking. But while I refer to the Scriptural account of our Lord Jesus under this character, and which is more or less scattered over the whole Bible, I cannot content myself, without just observing how very blessed it must be for all the sheep of Christ and the lambs of his fold to know Jesus, and to make use of Jesus as God the Father evidently intended he should be used, as their Shepherd.
As Jesus is the Shepherd, so they are the flock; the one character implies the other; and the church made up of sheep and lambs are his property. He received them as the gift of his Father, and he hath purchased them with his blood; so that every tye of nature, interest, property, and grace, endears them to Christ. And hence he saith himself, “I give unto my sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out, of my hand. My Father which gave.them me is greater than all, and none is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand. I and my Father are one.” (Joh 10:28-30)
I must not enlarge on this point, how sweet soever and interesting it is; but I do beg the reader who is conscious of being one of Christ’s fold, and especially, the lambs of that fold, never to lose sight of Jesus under this pastoral office. Jesus knows all sheep, he calleth them all by name, his eye is always upon them, and his heart full of love towards them; he knows how helpless, poor, and prone to wandering they are; and he hath a suited grace for every one and for all. He saith himself that he will search and seek them out in every place whither they are scattered in the cloudy and dark day. His love, and not their deserts, is the cause of his care over them. He will feed them, protect them, help them, heal them, refresh them, restore them, and carry them through, the whole of this wilderness state, until he brings them all home to his fold in heaven. And all this and ten thousand things more, because he is their Shepherd, because he is, and ever must be, Jesus. “Hail, O thou almighty Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock, thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth!” (Psa 80:1, etc. See Pastor.)
Fuente: The Poor Mans Concordance and Dictionary to the Sacred Scriptures
Shepherd
sheperd (, roeh, , ro; , poimen, a feeder): The sheep owner frequently tends the flocks himself (Gen 4:4; Gen 30:40; compare Eze 34:12), but more often he delegates the work to his children (Gen 29:9; 1Sa 16:19; 1Sa 17:15) or relatives (Gen 31:6). In such cases the sheep have good care because the keepers have a personal interest in the well-being of the animals, but when they are attended by a hireling (1Sa 17:20) the flocks may be neglected or abused (Isa 56:10, Isa 56:11; Eze 34:8, Eze 34:10; Zec 11:15, Zec 11:17; Joh 10:12). The chief care of the shepherd is to see that the sheep find plenty to eat and drink. The flocks are not fed in pens or folds, but, summer and winter, must depend upon foraging for their sustenance (Psa 23:2). In the winter of 1910-11 an unprecedented storm ravaged Northern Syria. It was accompanied by a snowfall of more than 3 ft., which covered the ground for weeks. During that time, hundreds of thousands of sheep and goats perished, not so much from the cold as from the fact that they could get no food. Goats hunt out the best feeding-grounds, but sheep are more helpless and have to be led to their food (compare Num 27:16, Num 27:17); nor do they possess the instinct of many other animals for finding their way home (compare Eze 34:6-8). Flocks should be watered at least once a day. Where there are springs or streams this is an easy matter. Frequently the nearest water is hours away. One needs to travel in the dry places in Syria or Palestine, and then enter the watered valleys like those in Edom where the flocks are constantly being led for water, to appreciate the Psalmist’s words, He leadcth me beside still waters. Sometimes water can be obtained by digging shallow wells (Gen 26:18-22, Gen 26:25, Gen 26:32). The shepherd frequently carries with him a pail from which the sheep can drink when the water is not accessible to them. On the mountain tops the melting snows supply the needed water. In other districts it is drawn from deep wells (Gen 29:2; Joh 4:6). The usual time for watering is at noon, at which time the flocks are led to the watering-places (Gen 29:2, Gen 29:3). After drinking, the animals lie down or huddle together in the shade of a rock while the shepherd sleeps. At the first sound of his call, which is usually a peculiar guttural sound, hard to imitate, the flock follow off to new feeding-grounds. Even should two shepherds call their flocks at the same time and the sheep be intermingled, they never mistake their own master’s voice (Joh 10:3-5).
The shepherd’s equipment is a simple one. His chief garment is a cloak woven from wool or made from sheepskins. This is sleeveless, and so made that it hangs like a cloak on his shoulders. When he sleeps he curls up under it, head and all. During the summer a lighter, short-sleeved aba or coat is worn. He carries a staff or club (see STAFF), and a characteristic attitude is to make a rest for his arms by placing his staff on his shoulders against the back of his neck. When an especially productive spot is found, the shepherd may pass the time, while the animals are grazing, by playing on his pipe (Jdg 5:16). He sometimes carries a sling (, kela) of goat’s hair (1Sa 17:40). His chief belongings are kept in a skin pouch or bag (, kel) (1Sa 17:40). This bag is usually a whole tawed skin turned wrong side out, with the legs tied up and the neck forming the opening. He is usually aided in the keeping and the defending of the sheep by a dog (Job 30:1). In Syria the Kurdish dogs make the best protectors of the sheep, as, unlike the cowardly city dogs, they are fearless and will drive away the wild beasts. The shepherd is often called upon to aid the dogs in defending the sheep (Gen 31:39; 1Sa 17:34, 1Sa 17:35; Isa 31:4; Jer 5:6; Amo 3:12).
Figurative:
The frequent use of the word shepherd to indicate a spiritual overseer is familiar to Bible readers (Psa 23:1; Psa 80:1; Ecc 12:11; Isa 40:4; Isa 63:14; Jer 31:10; Eze 34:23; Eze 37:24; Joh 21:15-17; Eph 4:11; 1Pe 5:1-4). We still use the term pastor, literally, a shepherd. Leaders in temporal affairs were also called shepherds (Gen 47:17 margin; Isa 44:28; Isa 63:11). Sheep without a shepherd typified individuals or nations who had forgotten Yahweh (Num 27:17; 1Ki 22:17; 2Ch 18:16; Eze 34:5, Eze 34:8; Zec 10:2; Mat 9:36; Mar 6:34).
Jesus is spoken of as the good shepherd (Joh 10:14); chief shepherd (1Pe 5:4); great shepherd (Heb 13:20); the one shepherd (Joh 10:16). He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young (Isa 40:11) is a picture drawn from pastoral life of Yahweh’s care over His children. A strong sympathy for helpless animals, though sometimes misdirected, is a marked characteristic of the people of Bible lands. The birth of offspring in a flock often occurs far off on the mountain side. The shepherd solicitously guards the mother during her helpless moments and picks up the lamb and carries it to the fold. For the few days, until it is able to walk, he may carry it in his arms or in the loose folds of his coat above his girdle. See also SHEEP.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Shepherd
Shepherd [PASTURAGE]
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Shepherd
A person’s wealth in the East frequently consisted of flocks, the shepherd therefore held an important and honourable position. David was a keeper of sheep. Joseph instructed his brethren to tell Pharaoh that they were shepherds, and they asked permission to dwell in Goshen, for every shepherd was an abomination to the Egyptians. This is supposed to have been caused by some ‘shepherd-kings’ having usurped authority over Egypt. The difficulties and hardships of a shepherd’s life in the East may be gathered from what Jacob passed through during the time he was with Laban. Gen 31:39-40.
The sheep following the shepherd is a sight often witnessed in the East, and that each sheep has a name and knows the shepherd’s voice, has been tested and proved again and again. All this is beautifully typical of the relation of Jehovah to Israel and of Christ to the church. The sheep of Christ know the good Shepherd’s voice, and find salvation, liberty, and pasture in following the One who leads. The good Shepherd gives them eternal life, having given His life for the sheep. Christ is called the great Shepherd, for the work which He accomplished could have been done only by One who was Himself God, though become man to work out redemption.
In the church there are those who by reason of gift are called pastors, to feed and shepherd the sheep; but Christ is the chief Shepherd, who is over all, whose own the sheep are, and who has given His word that they shall never perish. Psa 23; Zec 13:7; Joh 10:2-16; Heb 13:20; 1Pe 5:4; etc.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Shepherd
One who cares for flocks
Gen 31:38-40; Psa 78:52-53; Jer 31:10; Amo 3:12; Luk 2:8
David, the shepherd, defends his flock against a lion and a bear
1Sa 17:34-35
Causes the flock to rest
Psa 23:2; Son 1:7; Jer 33:12
Numbers the flock
Lev 27:32; Jer 33:13
Knows his flock by name
Joh 10:3-5
Keeps the sheep and goats apart
Mat 25:32
Waters the flocks
Gen 29:2-10
Keeps the flocks in folds
Num 32:16; 1Sa 24:3; 2Sa 7:8; Joh 10:1
Watch towers of
2Ch 26:10; Mic 4:8
Dogs of
Job 30:1
Was an abomination to the Egyptians
Gen 46:34
Angels appeared to
Luk 2:8-20
Instances of:
– Abel
Gen 4:2
– Rachel
Gen 29:9
– Daughters of Jethro
Exo 2:16
– Moses
Exo 3:1
– David
1Sa 16:11; 2Sa 7:8; Psa 78:70
Figurative:
– Figurative:
Gen 49:24
– Of God’s care
Psa 23:1-6; Psa 78:52; Psa 80:1
– Of prophets, priests, Levites, and civil authorities
Eze 34
– Of Christ
Zec 13:7; Mat 26:31; Joh 10:1-16; Heb 13:20; 1Pe 2:25
– Name given to Jesus
Isa 40:11; Mar 14:27; Joh 10:11; 1Pe 2:25; 1Pe 5:4
– Name given to Cyrus
Isa 44:28
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Shepherd
Sheep, Shepherd. Gen 4:2; Gen 46:32. Sheep were used in the sacrificial offerings, both the adult animal, Exo 20:24, and the lamb. Exo 29:38; Lev 9:3; Lev 12:6. Sheep and lambs formed an important article of food. 1Sa 25:18. The wool was used as clothing. Lev 13:47. “Rams’ skins dyed red” were used as a covering for the tabernacle. Exo 25:5. Sheep and lambs were sometimes paid as tributes. 2Ki 3:4. Sheep-shearing is alluded to. Gen 31:19. Sheep-dogs were employed in biblical times. Job 30:1. Shepherds in Palestine and the East generally go before their flocks, calling to them, and the sheep follow; comp. Joh 10:4; Psa 77:20; Psa 80:1, though they also drive them. Gen 33:13. Rev. John Hartley gives an illustration of Joh 10:1-16 : ” Having had my attention directed to Joh 10:3, I asked a shepherd to call one of his sheep. He did so, and it instantly left its pasturage and its companions and ran up to the hands of the shepherd with signs of pleasure and with a prompt obedience which I had never before observed in any other animal. It is also true in this country that ‘a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him.'” The common sheep of Syria and Palestine are the broad-tailed, which, when fattened, have tails of an enormous size. “I have seen many in Lebanon so heavy,” says Dr. Thomson, “that the owners could not carry them without difficulty… The cooks use this mass of fat instead of Arab butter…. This is the ‘rump’ so often mentioned in the Levitical sacrifices, which was to be taken off hard by the backbone. Exo 29:22; Lev 3:9; Lev 7:3; Lev 9:19. It is, in fact, not properly a tail, but a mass of mar row-like fat, which spreads over the whole rump of the sheep, and down the caudal extremity, till near the end.” The shearing of the sheep was celebrated anciently, as often now, with much festivity. Gen 31:19; Gen 38:12-13; 1Sa 25:4-8; 1Sa 25:36; 2Sa 13:23-28.
Fuente: People’s Dictionary of the Bible
Shepherd
Shepherd. In a nomadic state of society, every man, from the sheikh down to the slave, is more or less a shepherd. The progenitors of the Jews in the patriarchal age were nomads, and their history is rich in scenes of pastoral life. The occupation of tending the flocks was undertaken, not only by the sons of wealthy chiefs, Gen 30:29; Gen 37:12, but even by their daughters. Gen 29:6; Gen 29:8; Exo 2:10. The Egyptian captivity did much to implant a love of settled abode, and, consequently, we find the tribes which still retained a taste for shepherd life, selecting their own quarters apart from their brethren in the TransJordanic district. Num 32:1. Thenceforward, in Palestine proper, the shepherd held a subordinate position.
The office of the eastern shepherd, as described in the Bible, was attended with much hardship, and even danger. He was exposed to the extremes of heat and cold, Gen 31:40; his food frequently consisted of the precarious supplies afforded by nature, such as the fruit of the “sycamore” or Egyptian fig, Amo 7:14, the “husks” of the carob tree, Luk 15:16, and perchance, the locusts and wild honey which supported the Baptist, Mat 3:4; he had to encounter the attacks of wild beasts, occasionally of the larger species, such as lions, nerves, panthers and bears, 1Sa 17:34; Isa 31:4; Jer 5:6; Amo 5:12; nor was he free from the risk of robbers or predators hordes. Gen 31:39.
To meet these various foes, the shepherd’s equipment consisted of the following articles: a mantle, made probably of sheep skin with the fleece on, which he turned inside out in cold weather, as implied in the comparison in Jer 43:12.; (compare Juv. Xiv. 187); a scrip or wallet, containing a small amount of food, 1Sa 17:40; a sling, which is still the favorite weapon of the Bedouin shepherd, 1Sa 17:40; and lastly, a staff which served the double purpose of a weapon against foes, and a crook for the management of the flock. 1Sa 17:40; Psa 23:4; Zec 11:7.
If the shepherd was at a distance from his home, he was provided with a light tent, Son 1:8; Jer 35:7, the removal of which was easily effected. Isa 38:12. In certain localities, moreover, towers were erected for the double purpose of spying an enemy at a distance and of protecting the flock; such towers were erected by Uzziah and Jotham, 2Ch 26:10; 2Ch 27:4, while their existence, in earlier times, is testified by the name Migdal-edar, Gen 35:21, Authorized Version, “a tower of Edar”, Mic 4:8, Authorized Version, “tower of the flock”.
The routine of the shepherd’s duties appears to have been as follows: In the morning, he led forth his flock from the fold, Joh 10:4, which he did by going before them and calling to them, as is still usual in the East; arrived at the pasturage; he watched the flock with the assistance of dogs, Job 30:1; and should any sheep stray, he had to search for it until he found it, Eze 34:12; Luk 15:4; he supplied them with water, either at a running stream, or at troughs attached to wells, Gen 29:7; Gen 30:38; Exo 2:16; Psa 23:2; at evening, he brought them back to the fold, and reckoned them to see that none were missing, by passing them “under the rod,” as they entered the door of the enclosure, Lev 27:32; Eze 20:37; checking each sheep, as it passed, by a motion of the hand, Jer 33:13, and, finally, he watched the entrance of the fold throughout the night, acting as porter. Joh 10:3. See Sheepfold, under Sheep.
The shepherd’s office, thus required, great watchfulness, particularly by night. Luk 2:8, compare Nah 3:18. It also required tenderness toward the young and feeble, Isa 40:11, particularly in driving them to and from the pasturage. Gen 33:13. In large establishments, there are various grades of shepherds, the highest being styled “rulers,” Gen 47:6, or “chief shepherds,” 1Pe 5:4, in a royal household, the title of abbir, “mighty”‘ was bestowed on the person who held the post. 1Sa 21:7. See Sheep.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Shepherd
is used (a) in its natural significance, Mat 9:36; Mat 25:32; Mar 6:34; Luk 2:8, Luk 2:15, Luk 2:18, Luk 2:20; Joh 10:2, Joh 10:12; (b) metaphorically of Christ, Mat 26:31; Mar 14:27; Joh 10:11, Joh 10:14, Joh 10:16; Heb 13:20; 1Pe 2:25; (c) metaphorically of those who act as pastors in the churches, Eph 4:11. See PASTOR.
Fuente: Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words
Shepherd
Isa 44:28 (a) It is used to represent King Cyrus as he took a leading place in the rebuilding of the temple, and restoring Israel to their land. Eze 34:23 (a) This represents King David as he would guide the affairs and the destinies of Israel. Probably it also is prophetic of CHRIST when He returns to reign. Joh 10:14 (a) This is a type of the Lord JESUS. He cares for, protects and leads His people.