Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7700 Leadership and the people of God » 7784 shepherd » 7785 shepherd, as occupation The occupation of a shepherd was both humble and honourable. In the marginal hill country of Palestine it was particularly demanding. A shepherd as a keeper of flocks of animals Genesis 46:32 The Hebrew word refers to a keeper of goats and cattle as well as sheep. The tasks of a shepherd Tending, feeding and watering Psalm 23:2 See also Genesis 29:3; Genesis 26:19-22; Exodus 22:5; Luke 13:15; John 21:15-17 Keeping and protecting Jeremiah 31:10 See also Genesis 4:2; Psalm 23:4 The rod is a crook (for extracting sheep from difficulty) and the staff a club (for warding off wild animals); 1 Samuel 17:34-37 Leading, not driving, sheep John 10:3-4 See also Exodus 3:1; Psalm 23:2; Psalm 77:20; Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 50:6 Gathering animals together John 10:3 See also Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:26; Matthew 25:32 The shepherd's routine The search for pasture The midday rest The night-watch Shearing, an annual festival The use of pens and folds Psalm 50:9; Habakkuk 3:17; John 10:1,16 Breeding Rearing Rebekah's ruse depended on a method used to get a ewe to accept an alien lamb: The problems faced by shepherds Drought and dry winds Jeremiah 12:4; Hosea 4:3; Hosea 13:15; Joel 1:17-20; Amos 1:2 With animals and thieves 1 Samuel 17:34-37; Samuel 25:15; John 10:1,12 Shepherds as employers Job 1:3 See also 1 Samuel 25:2; 2 Kings 3:4; Amos 1:1 Shepherds as employees The status of a shepherd 1 Samuel 16:11; Samuel 17:28; Luke 2:8 The responsibilities of a shepherd Genesis 31:39; Amos 3:12 A shepherd who lost an animal to wild beasts had to produce evidence; Matthew 18:12 pp Luke 15:4 See also
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