Herding is a significant occupation and theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of ancient Near Eastern cultures. It involves the care, management, and guidance of domesticated animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle. This practice is deeply woven into the fabric of biblical narratives, laws, and metaphors, illustrating both the daily life of biblical characters and the spiritual lessons conveyed through their experiences.

Biblical Significance

1. Patriarchal Era: Herding was a primary occupation for the patriarchs of Israel. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all described as herdsmen. Genesis 13:2 records, "Now Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold." The wealth of these patriarchs was often measured by the size of their herds, indicating the economic importance of herding.

2. Moses and David: Two of the most prominent leaders in Israel's history, Moses and David, were shepherds before they were called by God to lead His people. Moses tended the flock of his father-in-law Jethro in the wilderness of Midian (Exodus 3:1), and David was a shepherd boy when he was anointed by Samuel to be king (1 Samuel 16:11-13). Their experiences as shepherds prepared them for their roles as leaders, teaching them patience, courage, and care.

3. Symbolism and Metaphor: The Bible frequently uses herding as a metaphor for leadership and care. God is often depicted as a shepherd, guiding and protecting His people. Psalm 23:1 famously begins, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." This imagery conveys God's provision, guidance, and protection.

4. Prophetic Imagery: Prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel used herding imagery to convey messages of judgment and restoration. Ezekiel 34:11-12 states, "For this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among his flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.'"

5. New Testament References: Jesus Christ is described as the "Good Shepherd" in John 10:11, where He says, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." This declaration highlights His sacrificial love and care for His followers. The early church leaders were also encouraged to shepherd the flock of God, as seen in 1 Peter 5:2.

6. Cultural Practices: Herding in biblical times involved leading animals to pasture, protecting them from predators, and ensuring their well-being. Shepherds were often seen as humble and lowly, yet their role was crucial for the community's survival. The shepherd's tools, such as the rod and staff, are mentioned in Psalm 23:4, symbolizing protection and guidance.

Conclusion

Herding, as depicted in the Bible, is more than an occupation; it is a profound symbol of leadership, care, and divine guidance. Through the lives of biblical figures and the teachings of Scripture, herding illustrates the relationship between God and His people, emphasizing themes of provision, protection, and faithful leadership.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Herd.723. urvah -- a manger, crib
... stall Or rarayah {ar-aw'-yah'}; from 'arah (in the sense of feeding); a
herding-place for an animal -- stall. see HEBREW 'arah. 722, 723. urvah. 723a . ...
/hebrew/723.htm - 5k

4719. Maqqedah -- a place in Judah
... Makkedah. From the same as naqod in the denominative sense of herding (compare noqed);
fold; Makkedah, a place in Palestine -- Makkedah. see HEBREW naqod. ...
/hebrew/4719.htm - 6k

The Present Translation.
... 6. The Present Translation. 1. Text. It was proposed at first to make the
translation from the text of Herding. This, and all editions ...
/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /6 the present translation.htm

Editions.
... 1706 (Martianay & Pouget); Helmst.1700; Hamb.1718; Veron.1734-42 (Vallarsi);
repr.1766-72; Florence 1791; Paris 1865 (Migne); Lpz.1879 (Herding) Turin 1875 ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /4 editions.htm

What is the Christian Home?
... nest. It is not the mere mechanical juxtaposition of so many human beings,
herding together like animals in the den or stall. It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter i what is the.htm

Ninth Commandment
... Organized society of a degree higher than that of the herding of animals and flocking
of birds depends so much upon the power of speech, that without it we may ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/ninth commandment.htm

Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of their Death, Falling ...
... And we came to a certain plain, and he showed me a young man, a shepherd, clothed
in a suit of garments of a yellow colour: and he was herding very many sheep ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/similitude sixth of the two.htm

James
... Koburger 1495, Paris 1512). But the later editions (Fabricius, Herding) have both.
[2575] worth, mss. generally; feeling, editions generally. ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter i james.htm

Matthew
... cf. Lightfoot, Ignatius v. 2. p. 295. [2351] Nazarenes=Nasaraei. See Smith and Wace
sv. [2352] Beroea some mss. read Veria and so Herding. The modern Aleppo. ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter iii matthew.htm

Of Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata, and Others.
... depriving the flock of their right excellent shepherd, set up another bishop in
his place; but not an inhabitant of the city, were he herding in indigence or ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xiii of eusebius bishop of.htm

The Religion of Man
... things, nor had gained to themselves a great name amongst religious people " they
will wish then that they had spent their days rather in herding cattle in ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxi the religion of.htm

The Prairie Pasture
... Their playground was the vast dooryard extending far out over the prairie. In
time they were given the responsibility of herding the cows. ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter i the prairie pasture.htm

Herding (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Herd. Multi-Version Concordance
Herding (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 25:16 They were a ...
/h/herding.htm - 6k

Herdman (1 Occurrence)

/h/herdman.htm - 6k

Herded (1 Occurrence)

/h/herded.htm - 6k

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