In biblical times, the term "droves" refers to groups or herds of animals, particularly livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle, that were moved together from one place to another. This movement was often for the purposes of grazing, trade, or sacrificial offerings. The concept of droves is significant in the Bible, as it reflects the pastoral and agrarian lifestyle of the ancient Near Eastern cultures, including the Israelites.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 32:13-16 : In the account of Jacob preparing to meet his brother Esau, Jacob organizes his livestock into droves as a strategic gift to appease Esau. The passage states, "He spent the night there, and from what he had brought with him, he selected a gift for his brother Esau: 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 milk camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys. He entrusted them to his servants in separate droves and told them, 'Go on ahead of me, and keep some distance between the droves.'"

2. Genesis 33:1-3 : As Jacob approaches Esau, he arranges his family and droves strategically. "Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother."

3. Exodus 12:38 : During the Exodus, the Israelites left Egypt with a large number of livestock, described as droves. "A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a great number of livestock."

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In the ancient world, wealth was often measured by the size of one's herds and flocks. The movement of droves was a common sight and an essential part of life for the patriarchs and their descendants. The management of droves required skill and knowledge of the land, as well as an understanding of the needs of the animals.

Theologically, droves can symbolize God's provision and blessing. For instance, the prosperity of the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is frequently illustrated by their abundant livestock. In Genesis 24:35 , Abraham's servant recounts, "The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys."

Moreover, the movement of droves in the context of sacrificial offerings underscores the importance of livestock in the worship practices of the Israelites. The animals from these droves were often used in sacrifices, which were central to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Practical Aspects:

The logistics of moving droves required careful planning. Shepherds and herdsmen had to ensure that the animals were adequately fed and watered during their journeys. This often meant traveling to areas with sufficient pasture and water sources. The droves had to be protected from predators and thieves, necessitating vigilance and sometimes armed protection.

In summary, droves in the Bible are more than just groups of animals; they represent wealth, divine blessing, and the pastoral lifestyle of the biblical patriarchs. They also highlight the practical and spiritual aspects of life in ancient Israel, where livestock played a crucial role in both daily sustenance and religious observance.5739. eder -- a flock, herd
... Word Origin from adar Definition a flock, herd NASB Word Usage droves (2), every
drove (1), flock (15), flocks (15), herd (1), herds (3). drove, flock, herd. ...
/hebrew/5739.htm - 6k

Meeting a Brother who had Been Wronged
... These he put, each drove by itself, in the care of his servants and said to
them, "Go on before me and leave a space between the droves.". ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/meeting a brother who had.htm

Chapter xxxii
... Besides, the separate droves had to be arranged. ... Jacob does not depend on the ingenuity
of the shepherds to whom he entrusts the separate droves. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxii.htm

The Memphite Empire
... of the Survey, pp.226- 228, Mr. Holland describes a sudden rainstorm or "sell" on
December 3, 1867, which drowned thirty persons, destroyed droves of camels ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Disclosure of the Monstrous Tenets of the Manich??ans.
... Men of this description exist in numbers and in droves, who are kept from being
led away into these errors more by a fear grounded on religious feeling than by ...
/.../chapter 16 name of the 2.htm

The First Source of Duty is Prudence, from Whence Spring Three ...
... So we see oxen delighted to be in herds, horses in droves, and especially like with
like, stags, also, in company with stags and often with men. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxvii the first source.htm

The Exhortation of the Last HomilyIs Continued in This. ...
... For what cause withdrawest thou? Was not everything done that thou chosest? Hast
thou not taken away his flocks, his herds, his droves of horses and of mules? ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily v the exhortation of.htm

Goes to Housekeeping. Discussions with Mr. Maddox. Attends Meeting ...
... At certain seasons great droves of cattle and hogs were driven through it, and
everything was lively; besides, it had a good trade with the country around. ...
/.../chapter vi goes to housekeeping.htm

A Little Jewish Maid.
... They were back again in their own country, bringing no camel-loads of plunder, no
droves of stolen cattle, no chains of weeping slaves"only two sacks of ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/a little jewish maid.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... run wild on our moors at home. I also saw droves of camels and animals like
them only with two humps. In one place I saw some elephants ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

Here Beginneth the Story of Judith
... She was a fair woman and her husband had left her much riches, with plentiful meiny,
and possessions of droves of oxen and flocks of sheep, and she was a ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the story of.htm

Droves (17 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Droves (17 Occurrences). Genesis 29:2 and he
looketh, and lo, a well in the field, and lo, there three ...
/d/droves.htm - 11k

Desolated (21 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Joel 1:18 How have cattle sighed! Perplexed have been droves of oxen, For
there is no pasture for them, Also droves of sheep have been desolated. (YLT). ...
/d/desolated.htm - 13k

Crouching (8 Occurrences)
... Genesis 29:2 and he looketh, and lo, a well in the field, and lo, there three droves
of a flock crouching by it, for from that well they water the droves, and ...
/c/crouching.htm - 9k

Sighed (7 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Joel 1:18 How have cattle sighed! Perplexed have been droves of oxen, For
there is no pasture for them, Also droves of sheep have been desolated. (YLT). ...
/s/sighed.htm - 8k

Drown (5 Occurrences)

/d/drown.htm - 8k

Drove (89 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). 1 Kings 10:28 The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt;
and the king's merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price. ...
/d/drove.htm - 34k

Buying (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:28 And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; and the
king's merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price. (See JPS). ...
/b/buying.htm - 23k

Yarn (37 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version correctly renders: "And the horses which Solomon had were brought
out of Egypt; the king's merchants received them in droves, each drove at ...
/y/yarn.htm - 18k

Ku'e (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:28 The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; and the king's
merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price. (See RSV). ...
/k/ku'e.htm - 6k

Keve (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Chronicles 1:16 And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; the
king's merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price. (See JPS). ...
/k/keve.htm - 6k

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