Dictionary of Bible Themes The occupation of a shepherd was both humble and honourable. In the marginal hill country of Palestine it was particularly demanding. Genesis 46:32A shepherd as a keeper of flocks of animals The Hebrew word refers to a keeper of goats and cattle as well as sheep. Psalms 23:2The tasks of a shepherd See also Tending, feeding and watering Genesis 29:3; 26:19-22Exodus 22:5 Luke 13:15 John 21:15-17 Jeremiah 31:10 See also Keeping and protecting Genesis 4:2Psalms 23:4 1 Samuel 17:34-37 The rod is a crook (for extracting sheep from difficulty) and the staff a club (for warding off wild animals) John 10:3-4See also Leading, not driving, sheep Exodus 3:1Psalms 23:2; 77:20 Isaiah 40:11 Jeremiah 50:6 John 10:3 See also Gathering animals together Psalms 147:4Isaiah 40:26 Matthew 25:32 Genesis 37:17 The shepherd's routine The search for pasture Songs 1:7The midday rest Luke 2:8Jeremiah 43:12 The night-watch 1 Samuel 25:7-8Shearing, an annual festival Psalms 50:9Habakkuk 3:17 The use of pens and folds John 10:1,16Genesis 30:40 Breeding Genesis 27:16,27Rearing Rebekah's ruse depended on a method used to get a ewe to accept an alien lamb: Jeremiah 12:4The problems faced by shepherds Hosea 4:3; 13:15Drought and dry winds Joel 1:17-20Amos 1:2 1 Samuel 17:34-37; 25:15 John 10:1,12 With animals and thieves Job 1:3Shepherds as employers See also 1 Samuel 25:22 Kings 3:4 Amos 1:1 1 Samuel 16:11; 17:28 Shepherds as employees Luke 2:8The status of a shepherd Genesis 31:39Amos 3:12 The responsibilities of a shepherd Matthew 18:12A shepherd who lost an animal to wild beasts had to produce evidence See also pp Lk 15:4 1220 God as shepherd4604 animals 4687 snake 5434 officer 5480 protection 5802 care 5829 defiance 8490 watchfulness |
    |