Topical Encyclopedia
The term "shepherd" holds significant theological and symbolic meaning throughout the Bible, representing both a literal occupation and a metaphor for leadership, care, and guidance. In ancient Near Eastern culture, shepherds were responsible for the welfare, guidance, and protection of their flocks, a role that is frequently used in Scripture to illustrate God's relationship with His people and the responsibilities of spiritual leaders.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, shepherds were common figures, often depicted as humble and dedicated caretakers. The patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were shepherds, highlighting the pastoral lifestyle of early Israelite society. David, one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, was a shepherd before he became king. His experience as a shepherd is famously reflected in
Psalm 23, where he writes, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (
Psalm 23:1). This psalm portrays God as the ultimate Shepherd, providing, guiding, and protecting His people.
The role of a shepherd is also used metaphorically to describe the leaders of Israel. In
Ezekiel 34, God condemns the leaders of Israel for failing to shepherd His people properly, saying, "Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?" (
Ezekiel 34:2). This passage underscores the expectation that leaders should care for and nurture those under their charge.
New Testament FulfillmentIn the New Testament, the imagery of the shepherd is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus identifies Himself as the "Good Shepherd" in
John 10:11, saying, "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, contrasting with the hireling who abandons the sheep in times of danger.
The shepherd motif is further expanded in the parable of the lost sheep, where Jesus illustrates God's relentless pursuit of the lost: "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?" (
Luke 15:4). This parable highlights God's grace and the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.
Pastoral LeadershipThe concept of shepherding is also applied to church leadership in the New Testament. Elders and pastors are often referred to as shepherds, tasked with the spiritual oversight of the congregation. The Apostle Peter exhorts church leaders, "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them—not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness" (
1 Peter 5:2). This instruction reflects the high calling and responsibility of spiritual leaders to care for their communities with integrity and devotion.
Eschatological SignificanceThe shepherd imagery extends to eschatological themes, where Christ is depicted as the ultimate Shepherd-King who will gather His flock and lead them to eternal safety. In
Revelation 7:17, it is written, "For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (
Revelation 7:17). This vision offers hope and assurance of Christ's eternal care and provision for His people.
In summary, the role of the shepherd in the Bible is a profound symbol of care, leadership, and divine love, encapsulating God's relationship with His people and the responsibilities of those called to lead in His name.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
ShepherdIn 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, (Genesis 30:29) ff.; Genesis37:12 ff., but even by their daughters. (Genesis 29:6,8;Exodus 2:10) The Egyptian captivity did march 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. (Numbers 32:1) ff. 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, (Genesis 31:40) his food frequently consisted of the precarious supplies afforded by nature, such as the fruit of the "sycamore" or Egyptian fig, (Amos 7:14) the "husks" of the carob tree, (Luke 15:16) and perchance the locusts and wild honey which supported the Baptist, (Matthew 3:4) he had to encounter the attacks of wild beasts, occasionally of the larger species, such as lions, nerves, panthers and bears, (1 Samuel 17:34;Isaiah 31:4;Jeremiah 5:6;Amos 5:12) nor was he free from the risk of robbers or predators hordes. (Genesis 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 (Jeremiah 43:12) (cf. Juv. xiv. 187.); a scrip or wallet, containing a small amount of food (1 Samuel 17:40) a sling, which is still the favorite weapon of the Bedouin shepherd, (1 Samuel 17:40) and lastly, a which served the double purpose of a weapon against foes and a crook for the management of the flock. (1 Samuel 17:40;Psalms 23:4;Zechariah 11:7) If the shepherd was at a distance from his home, he was provided with a light tent, (Solomon 1:8;Jeremiah 35:7) the removal of which was easily effected. (Isaiah 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, (2 Chronicles 26:10;27:4) while their existence in earlier times is testified by the name Migdal-edar (Genesis 35:21) Authorized Version "a tower of Edar;" (Micah 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 (John 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, (Ezekiel 34:12;Luke 15:4) he supplied them with water, either at a running stream or at troughs attached to wells, (Genesis 29:7;30:38;Exodus 2:16;Psalms 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 (Leviticus 27:32;Ezekiel 20:37) checking each sheep, as it passed, by a motion of the hand, (Jeremiah 33:13) and, finally, he watched the entrance of the fold throughout the night, acting as porter. (John 10:3) [See Sheepfold, underSHEEP] The shepherd's office thus required great watchfulness, particularly by night. (Luke 2:8) cf. Nahu 3:18 It also required tenderness toward the young and feeble, (Isaiah 40:11) particularly in driving them to and from the pasturage. (Genesis 33:13) In large establishments there are various grades of shepherds, the highest being styled "rulers," (Genesis 47:6) or "chief shepherds," (1 Peter 5:4) in a royal household the title ofabbir "mighty," was bestowed on the person who held the post. (1 Samuel 21:7) [SHEEP]
ATS Bible Dictionary
ShepherdOrPASTOR.
Abel was a keeper of sheep,Genesis 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,Genesis 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,Genesis 29:6; his sons, the fathers of the tribes of Israel were shepherds, and so was David their king,Psalm 78:70-72. The employment is highly honored in the Bible,Luke 2:8-20. In the time of the kings, the "chief herdsman" occupies a post of some importance,1 Samuel 21:72 Kings 3:41 Chronicles 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,Genesis 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,Exodus 3:1Psalm 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,Genesis 14:14-24 21:22-32 26:13-16 30:43Job 1:3.
God sometimes takes the name of Shepherd of Israel,Psalm 80:1Jeremiah 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,Ezekiel 34:10. In like manner Christ, as the Messiah, is often called a shepherd,
Zechariah 13:7, and also takes on himself the title of "the Good Shepherd," who gives his life for his sheep,John 10:11,14,15. Paul calls him the great Shepherd of the sheep,Hebrews 13:20, and Peter gives him the appellation of Prince of shepherds,1 Peter 5:4. His ministers are in like manner the pastors or under-shepherds of the flock,Jeremiah 3:15 23:3 Eph 4:11.
InJohn 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. SeeSHEEP.
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,Genesis 31:39Exodus 22:12John 10:28; he had need of great courage and endurance,Genesis 31:401 Samuel 17:34,35John 15:10; he exercised a tender care towards the feeble, and carried the lambs in his arms,Genesis 33:13Isaiah 40:11Mark 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,Psalm 23:1-6Luke 15:4-7.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the word "pastor" is used instead (
Jeremiah 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 (
Psalm 23:1;
80:1;
Isaiah 40:11;
44:28;
Jeremiah 25:34, 35;
Nahum 3:18;
John 10:11, 14;
Hebrews 13:20;
1 Peter 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, seeking 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 (see1 Samuel 17:34).", Deane's David.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A man employed in tending, feeding, and guarding sheep, esp. a flock grazing at large.
2. (n.) The pastor of a church; one with the religious guidance of others.
3. (v. t.) To tend as a shepherd; to guard, herd, lead, or drive, as a shepherd.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHEPHERDshep'-erd (ro`eh, ro`i; poimen, "a feeder"): The sheep owner frequently tends the flocks himself (Genesis 4:4;Genesis 30:40; compareEzekiel 34:12), but more often he delegates the work to his children (Genesis 29:91 Samuel 16:19;1 Samuel 17:15) or relatives (Genesis 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 (1 Samuel 17:20) the flocks may be neglected or abused (Isaiah 56:10, 11Ezekiel 34:8, 10Zechariah 11:15, 17John 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 (Psalm 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 (compareNumbers 27:16, 17); nor do they possess the instinct of many other animals for finding their way home (compareEzekiel 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 (Genesis 26:18-22, 25, 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 (Genesis 29:2John 4:6). The usual time for watering is at noon, at which time the flocks are led to the watering-places (Genesis 29:2, 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 (John 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 (Judges 5:16). He sometimes carries a sling (qela`) of goat's hair (1 Samuel 17:40). His chief belongings are kept in a skin pouch or bag (keli) (1 Samuel 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 (Genesis 31:391 Samuel 17:34, 35Isaiah 31:4Jeremiah 5:6Amos 3:12).
Figurative:
The frequent use of the word "shepherd" to indicate a spiritual overseer is familiar to Bible readers (Psalm 23:1;Psalm 80:1Ecclesiastes 12:11Isaiah 40:4;Isaiah 63:14Jeremiah 31:10Ezekiel 34:23;Ezekiel 37:24John 21:15-17Ephesians 4:111 Peter 5:1-4). We still use the term "pastor," literally, "a shepherd." Leaders in temporal affairs were also called shepherds (Genesis 47:17 margin;Isaiah 44:28;Isaiah 63:11). "Sheep without a shepherd" typified individuals or nations who had forgotten Yahweh (Numbers 27:171 Kings 22:172 Chronicles 18:16Ezekiel 34:5, 8Zechariah 10:2Matthew 9:36Mark 6:34).
Jesus is spoken of as the good shepherd (John 10:14); chief shepherd (1 Peter 5:4); great shepherd (Hebrews 13:20); the one shepherd (John 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" (Isaiah 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 alsoSHEEP.
James A. Patch
Greek
4165. poimaino -- to act as ashepherd... to act as a
shepherd. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: poimaino Phonetic Spelling:
(poy-mah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I
shepherd, tend Definition: I
...4166. poimen -- ashepherd
... ashepherd. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: poimen Phonetic Spelling:
(poy-mane') Short Definition: ashepherd Definition: ashepherd; hence met...
750. archipoimen -- chiefshepherd
... chiefshepherd. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: archipoimen Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-khee-poy'-mane) Short Definition: the chiefshepherd...
4244. presbuterion -- a body of elders
... Cognate: 4244 -- properly, a council (group) of elders; a serving a local church
who lead (feed,shepherd) the people of the Lord (cf. 1 Tim 4:14)....
Strong's Hebrew
7473. roi --shepherd... 7472, 7473. roi. 7474 .
shepherd. Transliteration: roi Phonetic Spelling:
(ro-ee') Short Definition:
shepherd. Word Origin from
...5116a. naveh -- abode ofshepherd or flocks, habitation
... 5116, 5116a. naveh. 5116b . abode ofshepherd or flocks, habitation.
Transliteration: naveh Short Definition: habitation. Word Origin...
5116. naveh -- abode ofshepherd or flocks, habitation
... 5115b, 5116. naveh. 5116a . abode ofshepherd or flocks, habitation.
Transliteration: naveh Phonetic Spelling: (naw-veh') Short Definition: comely....
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...
4908. mishkan -- dwelling place, tabernacle
... From shakan; a residence (including ashepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively,
the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly...
7462. ra'ah -- to pasture, tend, graze
... with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with,
herdman, keep (sheep)(-er), pastor, + shearing house,shepherd, wander, waste....
Library
The GoodShepherd
The GoodShepherd. <. The GoodShepherd Anonymous. Produced by Al Haines Table
of Contents. Title Page. TABLE OF CONTENTS. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS....
Shepherd
...Shepherd.Shepherd, Thomas, an English Congregational clergyman, son of Rev.
WilliamShepherd (who was first a minister in the Established...
TheShepherd Of My Soul
TheShepherd Of My Soul. <. TheShepherd Of My Soul Rev. Charles J. Callan.
Table of Contents. Title Page. PSALM OF THE GOODSHEPHERD. INTRODUCTION....
The GoodShepherd.
... THE GOODSHEPHERD. In one of His beautiful parables, Jesus compares Himself
to ashepherd. "I am the goodshepherd," says He, "the...
The GoodShepherd
... THE GOODSHEPHERD. 'I am the GoodShepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of
Mine.15.... 'Jesus, tenderShepherd, hear me, Bless Thy little lamb to-night,'....
The GoodShepherd.
... Chapter X. The GoodShepherd. This... Abbott. The figure of theshepherd and
his sheep is always a favorite one in the Scriptures....
The GoodShepherd.
... THE GOODSHEPHERD. THE GOODSHEPHERD. 9,6,6,6,4.... transl., Jane Borthwick, 1854. Yes!
ourShepherd leads with gentle hand,. Through the dark pilgrim-land,....
TheShepherd-King
... THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL THESHEPHERD-KING. 'And the Lord said unto Samuel,
How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected...
TheShepherd and the Fold
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS THESHEPHERD AND THE FOLD. '... Thou hast guided them in Thy
strength unto Thy holy habitation.' EXODUS XV.13. What a grand triumphal ode!...
The IdolShepherd
... Names And Titles of the Antichrist 24. The IdolShepherd. "For, lo, I... claws
in pieces. Woe to the IdolShepherd that leaveth the flock!...
Thesaurus
Shepherd (76 Occurrences)... 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4). The duties of a
shepherd in an unenclosed country like
Palestine were very onerous. "In early morning he led
...Shepherd's (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceShepherd's (3 Occurrences).... Isaiah 38:12 My dwelling
is removed, and is carried away from me like ashepherd's tent....
Flock (242 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because
of me tonight, for it is written,'I will strike theshepherd, and the sheep...
Tending (11 Occurrences)
... Among the first verses that a child learns is "The Lord is myshepherd, I shall
not wants" (Psalm 23:1 the King James Version, the English Revised Version)....
Sheepfold (3 Occurrences)
... Sometimes there is a covered hut in the corner for theshepherd.... and who conveneth
Me? And who 'is' thisshepherd who standeth before Me? (See RSV)....
Tend (24 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Psalms 28:9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: Be
theirshepherd also, and bear them up for ever. (See JPS)....
Teaching (372 Occurrences)
... 9. Nourishment: ra`ah, "to feed a flock": The name "shepherd," so precious in both
the Old Testament and the New Testament, comes from a verb meaning "to feed...
Teacher (103 Occurrences)
... 9. Nourishment: ra`ah, "to feed a flock": The name "shepherd," so precious in both
the Old Testament and the New Testament, comes from a verb meaning "to feed...
Abel (22 Occurrences)
... his labours. Cain, as a husbandman, offered the fruits of the field; Abel,
as ashepherd, of the firstlings of his flock. "The Lord...
Abroad (120 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them,
because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having noshepherd...
Resources
What does it mean that the Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the good Shepherd?” | GotQuestions.orgHow is Jesus the “True Shepherd” in John 10:1-5? | GotQuestions.orgShepherd: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
