Definition and Role:
In biblical times, a shepherd was a person responsible for the care, guidance, and protection of sheep. The role of a shepherd was crucial in agrarian societies, where sheep were a primary source of wool, meat, and milk. Shepherds were tasked with leading their flocks to pastures and water, protecting them from predators, and ensuring their overall well-being.

Biblical Significance:
The imagery of a shepherd is deeply woven into the fabric of biblical narrative and theology. Shepherds are often depicted as figures of leadership, care, and guidance, reflecting God's relationship with His people. The metaphor of God as a shepherd is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, illustrating His providence, protection, and guidance.

Old Testament References:
The Old Testament frequently uses the shepherd motif to describe leaders and God Himself. One of the most well-known passages is Psalm 23, where David declares, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). This psalm portrays God as a shepherd who provides, guides, and protects His flock.

In Genesis, Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, is described as a keeper of sheep (Genesis 4:2). The patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were also shepherds, highlighting the importance of this occupation in Israel's early history.

The prophets often used the image of shepherds to critique the leaders of Israel. For example, Ezekiel condemns the shepherds of Israel for their failure to care for the flock: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?" (Ezekiel 34:2).

New Testament References:
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is identified as the "Good Shepherd." In John 10:11, Jesus states, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep" (John 10:11). This declaration emphasizes His sacrificial love and commitment to His followers.

The shepherds who visited the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem are significant figures in the nativity account. Luke 2:8-20 describes how an angel announced the birth of Christ to shepherds in the fields, who then went to see the child and spread the news of His birth.

The apostle Peter also uses the shepherd metaphor to describe Jesus, referring to Him as the "Chief Shepherd" who will appear and reward His faithful servants (1 Peter 5:4).

Theological Implications:
The shepherd metaphor underscores several key theological themes:

1. Divine Care and Guidance: Just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, God provides for and guides His people. This is evident in passages like Psalm 23 and John 10.

2. Leadership and Responsibility: Biblical leaders are often likened to shepherds, emphasizing their duty to care for and lead their communities with integrity and compassion.

3. Sacrificial Love: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, exemplifies sacrificial love by laying down His life for His sheep, highlighting the depth of His commitment to humanity.

4. Community and Belonging: The imagery of a flock suggests a sense of community and belonging among believers, with Christ as the unifying shepherd.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, shepherding was a common occupation, and the imagery would have been familiar to the original biblical audiences. Shepherds were often seen as humble and lowly, yet their role was vital for the survival and prosperity of their communities.

Conclusion:
The shepherd motif in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of God's relationship with His people, illustrating themes of care, guidance, leadership, and sacrificial love. Through the figure of the shepherd, Scripture communicates profound truths about God's character and His expectations for human leaders.4908. mishkan -- dwelling place, tabernacle
... From shakan; a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively,
the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly ...
/hebrew/4908.htm - 6k

7462a. raah -- to pasture, tend, graze
... 7), grazed (2), grazing (1), herdsmen (6), keeper (1), pasture (12), pastured (2),
pastures (2), pasturing (5), rulers (1), shaved (1), Shepherd (5), shepherd ...
/hebrew/7462a.htm - 6k

7473. roi -- shepherd
... 7472, 7473. roi. 7474 . shepherd. Transliteration: roi Phonetic Spelling:
(ro-ee') Short Definition: shepherd. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/7473.htm - 6k

The Shepherd's Voice
... The Shepherd's Voice. TSM John 10:27. ... Thou speakest, Lord, to me. It is unto
the sheep the Shepherd calleth,. His voice they know,. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/the shepherds voice.htm

Under the Shepherd's Care.
... Under the Shepherd's Care. ... "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned
unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.""1 Peter 2:25. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a ribband of blue/under the shepherds care.htm

List of Illustrations
The Good Shepherd. <. ... LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. "I am the good shepherd . . ." .
Frontispiece Map of Palestine at the time of Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/list of illustrations.htm

Sheep.
... But helpless sheep, and such are we,. Depend upon the Shepherd's care. JEHOVAH is
our Shepherd's name, Ps 23:1. ... Think of our Shepherd's care and pow'r,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 94 sheep.htm

The Good Shepherd
... THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 'I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of
Mine.15. ... 'Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me, Bless Thy little lamb to-night,'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the good shepherd.htm

Persistence of Thwarted Love
... applications. One of these habitual points of view seems to have been the thought
of men as wandering sheep, and of Himself as the Shepherd. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/persistence of thwarted love.htm

The Good Shepherd.
... Chapter X. The Good Shepherd. This ... Abbott. The figure of the shepherd and
his sheep is always a favorite one in the Scriptures. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the good shepherd.htm

Dialogue Between a Gentleman and a Shepherd.
... DIALOGUE BETWEEN A GENTLEMAN AND A SHEPHERD. ... The following extract is made in order
to show the shepherd's ignorance, his creed, and his mode of worship. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter five dialogue between a.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... DAVID THE SHEPHERD YOUTH. I. ... Are all thy children here?" Samuel asked, turning
sharply to the shepherd, who trembled as he replied,". ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

John Chapter x. 10-Jan
... be Christians. By another way they wish to climb up, to steal and to kill,
not as the shepherd, to preserve and to save. And thus ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlv john chapter x.htm

Shepherd's (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shepherd's (3 Occurrences). ... Isaiah 38:12 My dwelling
is removed, and is carried away from me like a shepherd's tent. ...
/s/shepherd's.htm - 7k

Scrip (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A small bag or wallet usually fastened to the
girdle (1 Samuel 17:40); "a shepherd's bag.". In the New ...
/s/scrip.htm - 10k

Age (404 Occurrences)
... men, margin, perfect", dor, a revolution," "a period" is translated "age" Isaiah
38:12, "Mine age is departed and removed from me as a shepherd's tent," the ...
/a/age.htm - 56k

Bag (52 Occurrences)
... (1) "Bag" is used for a Hebrew word which means a shepherd's "bag," rendered
"wallet" in the Revised Version (British and American). ...
/b/bag.htm - 29k

Staff (91 Occurrences)
... Other words, as matteh, maqqel, shebhet, used of the staff in the hand, the shepherd's
staff, figuratively, "staff of bread" (matteh, Ezekiel 4:16; Ezekiel 5:16 ...
/s/staff.htm - 38k

Loom (3 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah 38:12 My dwelling is removed, and is carried away from
me like a shepherd's tent. I have rolled up, like a weaver, my life. ...
/l/loom.htm - 8k

Weaver (11 Occurrences)
... (See JPS NAS). Isaiah 38:12 My dwelling is removed, and is carried away from me
like a shepherd's tent. I have rolled up, like a weaver, my life. ...
/w/weaver.htm - 9k

Wallet (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:40 He took his staff in his hand, and chose for himself five smooth
stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd's bag which he had, even ...
/w/wallet.htm - 8k

Thrum (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 38:12 My dwelling is removed, and is carried away from me as a shepherd's
tent: I have rolled up, like a weaver, my life; he will cut me off from the ...
/t/thrum.htm - 8k

Rod (138 Occurrences)
... In Psalm 23:4 ("Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me"), however, shebheT is
the shepherd's rod, figurative of divine guidance and care. ...
/r/rod.htm - 42k

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