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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Role:
In biblical times, shepherds were individuals responsible for the care, guidance, and protection of sheep. This occupation was common in the agrarian societies of the ancient Near East, including Israel. Shepherds led their flocks to pastures and water, protected them from predators, and ensured their overall well-being. The role of a shepherd required vigilance, dedication, and a deep understanding of the needs of the sheep.

Biblical Significance:
Shepherds hold a significant place in biblical narratives and symbolism. They are often depicted as humble and faithful servants, and their role is frequently used metaphorically to describe leadership and care.

Old Testament References:
1.Abel · The first shepherd mentioned in the Bible is Abel, the son of Adam and Eve, who offered a pleasing sacrifice to God from his flock (Genesis 4:2-4).
2.Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob · The patriarchs of Israel were shepherds, reflecting the pastoral lifestyle of the early Hebrew people (Genesis 13:5-7; 30:31-32).
3.Moses · Before leading the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses spent 40 years as a shepherd in Midian, which prepared him for his role as a leader (Exodus 3:1).
4.David · Perhaps the most famous shepherd in the Bible, David was tending his father's sheep when he was anointed king by Samuel. His experience as a shepherd shaped his leadership and his relationship with God (1 Samuel 16:11-13;Psalm 78:70-72).

New Testament References:
1.The Birth of Jesus · Shepherds were among the first to receive the announcement of Jesus' birth. An angel appeared to them, proclaiming the good news, and they visited the newborn Savior in Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-20).
2.Jesus as the Good Shepherd · Jesus Christ is described as the "Good Shepherd" who lays down His life for the sheep, illustrating His sacrificial love and care for His followers (John 10:11-14). This imagery emphasizes His role as a protector and guide.

Symbolism and Metaphor:
1.God as Shepherd · The Lord is often depicted as a shepherd to His people, providing guidance, protection, and sustenance.Psalm 23 is a well-known passage that portrays God as the Shepherd who leads His flock beside still waters and restores their souls (Psalm 23:1-3).
2.Leaders as Shepherds · In the prophetic literature, leaders of Israel are sometimes criticized for failing to shepherd the people properly.Ezekiel 34 rebukes the shepherds of Israel for neglecting their duties and promises that God Himself will shepherd His people (Ezekiel 34:2-16).

Theological Implications:
The imagery of shepherds in the Bible underscores themes of care, leadership, and divine providence. It highlights the relationship between God and His people, as well as the responsibilities of human leaders to care for those entrusted to them. The metaphor of the shepherd is a powerful representation of God's love and commitment to His creation, as well as the ideal model for spiritual leadership.

Greek

5442. phulasso -- to guard, watch
... 5442 (akin to 5441 , "a military guard") -- properly, preserve by "having an eye
on" (J. Thayer), referring to the uninterrupted vigilanceshepherds show in...

4165. poimaino -- to act as a shepherd
... 274), which includes guarding, guiding, and folding the flock and is only provided
(ultimately) by Jesus Christ -- Shepherd, who calls under-shepherds (such as...

4166. poimen -- a shepherd
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a shepherd NASB Word Usage pastors
(1), shepherd (13),shepherds (4). shepherd, pastor....

2048. eremos -- solitary, desolate
... vegetation"). This root () does "not suggest absolute barrenness but territory
affording free range forshepherds and their flocks....

Strong's Hebrew

7462a. raah -- to pasture, tend, graze
... 7462, 7462a. raah. 7462b . to pasture, tend, graze. Transliteration:
raah Short Definition:shepherds. Word Origin a prim. root...

Library

Shepherds and Angels
... VOLUME I: ST. LUKE Chaps. I to XIISHEPHERDS AND ANGELS.... And all they that heard
it wondered at those things which were told them by theshepherds.19....

TheShepherds
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CXXVI THESHEPHERDS. Sweet, harmless
lives!"[up]on whose holy leisure... Yet where theshepherds watch,....

The Announcement to theShepherds.
... THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. Section 16. The Announcement to theShepherds.... It is true, the
account does not say that theshepherds thus longed for the Messiah....

January the Eighteenth FalseShepherds
... JANUARY the Eighteenth FALSESHEPHERDS. EZEKIEL xxxiv.1-10. This word of the Lord
puts before me the unlovely lineaments of the falseshepherds....

The Wise Men and theShepherds
... XXIX THE WISE MEN AND THESHEPHERDS.... Luke says that it was the plainest sort
of people, theshepherds, who first greeted that coming....

TwoShepherds and Two Flocks
... VOLUME I: PSALMS I to XLIX TWOSHEPHERDS AND TWO FLOCKS.... Turn now to. II. The sunny
landscape drawn by the Seer. Note the contrast presented by theshepherds....

To God'sShepherds.
... LXIX."To God'sShepherds. A shepherd, if he shall have confessed, has doubled his
conflict. Moreover, the apostle bids that such should be teachers....

CM "WhileShepherds Watch'd their Flocks by Night. "
... Hymn 8. CM "Whileshepherds watch'd their flocks by night.". Whileshepherds
watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground...

"WhileShepherds Watch'd their Flocks by Night. "
... Nuhguhmoowin 8. CM "Whileshepherds watch'd their flocks by night.". Ma
gwah mon 'tain 'see we nen' wug Nuh nah muh duh be wod; An...

WhileShepherds Watched their Flocks by Night
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Christmas 71. Whileshepherds watched their flocks by night.
CM... Nahum Tate, 1702. Whileshepherds watched their flocks by night,....

Thesaurus

Shepherds (55 Occurrences)
...Shepherds (55 Occurrences). Luke 2:8 There wereshepherds in the same country staying
in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock....

Tending (11 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 6:3Shepherds with their flocks come unto her; they pitch their tents against
her round about; they feed bare every one what is nigh at hand....

Abomination (78 Occurrences)
... This aversion toshepherds, such as the Hebrews, arose probably from the fact that
Lower and Middle Egypt had formerly been held in oppressive subjection by a...

Shouldn't (20 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Ezekiel 34:2 Son of man, prophesy against theshepherds of Israel, prophesy,
and tell them, even to theshepherds, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the...

Tend (24 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to
look after; to watch; to guard; as,shepherds tend their flocks....

Pastures (25 Occurrences)
... Armies: Yet again shall there be in this place, which is waste, without man and
without animal, and in all its cities, a habitation ofshepherds causing their...

Pastoral
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Pertaining toshepherds; relating to rural
life and scenes; as, a pastoral life. 2. (a.) Relating...

Shearing-house (2 Occurrences)
... (2 Kings 10:12, 14; marg., "house ofshepherds binding sheep." RV, "the... And as he
was at the shearing-house of theshepherds in the way, (See JPS ASV WBS YLT)....

Principal (28 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 25:34 Wail, youshepherds, and cry; and wallow in ashes, you principal
of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are fully...

Feed (117 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:12 These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with
you,shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried...

Resources

What was a shepherd in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is heavy shepherding? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said “I am the door” (John 10:7)? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance •Bible Dictionary •Bible Encyclopedia •Topical Bible •Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Shepherds (55 Occurrences)

Luke 2:8
There wereshepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 2:15
It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that theshepherds said one to another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 2:18
All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by theshepherds.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 2:20
Theshepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 20:28
"Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has placed you to take the oversight for Him and act asshepherds to the Church of God, which He has bought with His own blood.
(WEY NIV)

Ephesians 4:11
He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,shepherds and teachers;
(WEB DBY YLT)

1 Peter 5:2
Beshepherds of God's flock which is among you. Exercise the oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds;
(WEY NIV)

Jude 1:12
These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you,shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
(WEB ASV NIV)

Revelation 7:17
for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throneshepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
(WEB)

Genesis 13:8
And Abram saith unto Lot, 'Let there not, I pray thee, be strife between me and thee, and between myshepherds and thy shepherds, for we 'are' men -- brethren.
(YLT)

Genesis 26:20
But theshepherds of Gerar strove with Isaac's shepherds, saying, The water is ours. And he called the name of the well Esek, because they had quarrelled with him.
(DBY YLT)

Genesis 29:3
And thither were all the flocks gathered; and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone back upon the well's mouth in its place.--
(See RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:4
Jacob said to them, "My relatives, where are you from?" They said, "We are from Haran."
(See NIV)

Genesis 46:32
These men areshepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.'
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 46:34
that ye shall say: Thy servants have been keepers of cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers; that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.'
(See NIV)

Genesis 47:3
Pharaoh said to his brothers, "What is your occupation?" They said to Pharaoh, "Your servants areshepherds, both we, and our fathers."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 2:17
Theshepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 2:19
They said, "An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of theshepherds, and moreover he drew water for us, and watered the flock."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 14:33
Your children shall be wanderers in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your prostitution, until your dead bodies be consumed in the wilderness.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 17:40
And he taketh his staff in his hand, and chooseth for him five smooth stones from the brook, and putteth them in theshepherds' habiliments that he hath, even in the scrip, and his sling 'is' in his hand, and he draweth nigh unto the Philistine.
(YLT)

1 Samuel 21:7
(Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before Jehovah; and his name was Doeg, the Edomite, chief of theshepherds that belonged to Saul.)
(DBY YLT NAS)

1 Samuel 25:7
Now I have heard that you have shearers. Yourshepherds have now been with us, and we did them no hurt, neither was there anything missing to them, all the while they were in Carmel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 10:12
He arose and departed, and went to Samaria. As he was at the shearing house of theshepherds on the way,
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 1:8
If you don't know, most beautiful among women, follow the tracks of the sheep. Graze your young goats beside theshepherds' tents.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 13:20
It will never be inhabited, neither will it be lived in from generation to generation. The Arabian will not pitch a tent there, neither willshepherds make their flocks lie down there.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 31:4
For thus says Yahweh to me, "As the lion and the young lion growling over his prey, if a multitude ofshepherds is called together against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them, so Yahweh of Armies will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its heights. Jeremiah
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 56:11
Yes, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these areshepherds who can't understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 63:11
Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying, Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with theshepherds of his flock? where is he who put his holy Spirit in the midst of them?
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 2:8
The priests said not, Where is Jehovah? and they that handled the law knew me not; and theshepherds transgressed against me; and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
(DBY YLT)

Jeremiah 3:15
and I will give youshepherds according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 6:3
Shepherds with their flocks shall come to her; they shall pitch their tents against her all around; they shall feed everyone in his place.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 10:21
For theshepherds are become brutish, and have not inquired of Yahweh: therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 12:10
Manyshepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 22:22
The wind shall feed all yourshepherds, and your lovers shall go into captivity: surely then you will be ashamed and confounded for all your wickedness.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 23:1
Woe to theshepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says Yahweh.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 23:2
Therefore thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, against theshepherds who feed my people: You have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings, says Yahweh.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 23:4
I will set upshepherds over them, who shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking, says Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 25:35
Theshepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 25:36
A voice of the cry of theshepherds, and the wailing of the principal of the flock! for Yahweh lays waste their pasture.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 33:12
Thus says Yahweh of Armies: Yet again shall there be in this place, which is waste, without man and without animal, and in all its cities, a habitation ofshepherds causing their flocks to lie down.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 50:6
My people have been lost sheep: theirshepherds have caused them to go astray; they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 34:2
Son of man, prophesy against theshepherds of Israel, prophesy, and tell them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shouldn't the shepherds feed the sheep?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 34:7
Therefore, youshepherds, hear the word of Yahweh:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 34:8
As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, surely because my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became food to all the animals of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did myshepherds search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and didn't feed my sheep;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 34:9
therefore, youshepherds, hear the word of Yahweh:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 34:10
Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I am against theshepherds; and I will require my sheep at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the sheep; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; and I will deliver my sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Amos 1:1
The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
(See RSV NIV)

Amos 1:2
He said: "Yahweh will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the pastures of theshepherds will mourn, and the top of Carmel will wither."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Micah 5:5
He will be our peace when Assyria invades our land, and when he marches through our fortresses, then we will raise against him sevenshepherds, and eight leaders of men.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nahum 3:18
Yourshepherds slumber, king of Assyria. Your nobles lie down. Your people are scattered on the mountains, and there is no one to gather them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Zephaniah 2:6
The sea coast will be pastures, with cottages forshepherds and folds for flocks.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Zechariah 10:3
My anger is kindled against theshepherds, and I will punish the male goats; For Yahweh of Armies has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Zechariah 11:3
A voice of the wailing of theshepherds! For their glory is destroyed: a voice of the roaring of young lions! For the pride of the Jordan is ruined.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Zechariah 11:5
Their buyers slaughter them, and go unpunished. Those who sell them say,'Blessed be Yahweh, for I am rich;' and their ownshepherds don't pity them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Zechariah 11:8
I cut off the threeshepherds in one month; for my soul was weary of them, and their soul also loathed me.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Shepherds

Shepherds of Christ As the Good Shepherd

Shepherds of God As Leader of Israel

Shepherds of Kings As the Leaders of the People

Shepherds of Ministers of the Gospel

Shepherds: (Ignorant and Foolish) of Bad Ministers

Shepherds: (Searching out Straying Sheep) Christ Seeking the Lost

Shepherds: (Their Care and Tenderness) Tenderness of Christ

Shepherds: An Abomination to the Egyptians

Shepherds: Care of the Sheep By, Exhibited in Attending Them when Sick

Shepherds: Care of the Sheep By, Exhibited in Defending Them when Attacked by Wild Beasts