Herdmen, or shepherds, play a significant role throughout the biblical narrative, serving as both literal caretakers of livestock and as symbolic figures representing leadership, guidance, and divine care. The occupation of a herdman was common in ancient Near Eastern societies, including among the Israelites, and is frequently mentioned in the Bible.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, herdmen are often depicted as essential members of the agrarian society. They were responsible for the care and management of flocks, primarily sheep and goats, which were vital for the economy and sustenance of the people. The patriarchs of Israel, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were all involved in pastoral activities. Genesis 13:2 describes Abram as "very wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold," indicating the importance of herding in his life.

David, one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, was a shepherd before he became king of Israel. His experience as a herdman is highlighted in 1 Samuel 16:11, where he is found tending sheep when Samuel comes to anoint him. This background is often seen as foundational for his later role as a leader, with Psalm 78:70-72 reflecting on how God chose David from the sheepfolds to shepherd His people.

Amos, one of the minor prophets, also identifies himself as a herdman. In Amos 1:1, he is described as "among the shepherds of Tekoa," emphasizing his humble origins and the authenticity of his prophetic message.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

The role of herdmen is rich with symbolic meaning in the Bible. Shepherds are often used as metaphors for leaders and kings, with God Himself depicted as the ultimate Shepherd. Psalm 23, one of the most beloved passages in Scripture, begins with the declaration, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." This imagery conveys God's guidance, provision, and protection for His people.

The prophetic literature frequently uses the metaphor of shepherds to critique the leaders of Israel. In Ezekiel 34, God condemns the "shepherds of Israel" who have failed to care for the flock, promising instead to be the Shepherd who will seek out and rescue His sheep.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the imagery of shepherds continues to hold significant theological weight. Jesus Christ is identified as the "Good Shepherd" in John 10:11, where He declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." This statement underscores His sacrificial love and commitment to His followers.

The announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20 further elevates the status of herdmen, as they are among the first to receive the good news of the Savior's arrival. This event highlights the theme of God's favor toward the humble and lowly.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, herdmen are depicted as both literal caretakers of flocks and as powerful symbols of leadership and divine care. Their presence in the biblical narrative underscores themes of humility, responsibility, and the intimate relationship between God and His people.

The Importance of a Choice
... And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of
Lot's cattle; and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the importance of a choice.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... that unnethe [hardly] the country might suffice to their pasture, in so much that
rumor and grudging began to sourde and arise between the herdmen of Abram and ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

Being Easily Entreated
... When strife arose between his herdmen and those of Lot, it grieved him, and he said
to Lot, "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-one being easily entreated.htm

Of the Parting of Lot and Abraham, which they Agreed to Without ...
... For they had grown rich, and began to have many herdmen of cattle, and when these
strove together, they avoided in this way the pugnacious discord of their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 20 of the parting of.htm

The First Apostle of Peace at any Price
... And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours:
and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the first apostle of peace.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... flocks of the sheep of their father. Then came on them the herdmen and
put them from it. Then rose Moses and defended the maidens ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... i.1: "Who was among the herdmen of Tekoah." If there existed no other statement
than this, there might be truth in the remark made by many interpreters, that ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

The Seven Sleepers
... He put in the will of a burgess of Ephesus that he would make in that mountain,
which was desert and aspre, a stable for his pasturers and herdmen. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the seven sleepers.htm

Jesus Heals Two Gergesene Demoniacs.
... b 16 And they saw it [the herdmen] declared unto them how it befell him that was
possessed with demons, ^c 36 And told them how he that was possessed with ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lvi jesus heals two gergesene.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... Amos describes himself as one of "the herdmen of Tekoa," a small town southeast
of Bethlehem on the border of the wilderness of Judah.2 Chron.20:20. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Herdmen (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Herdmen (6 Occurrences). Genesis 13:7 And there
was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and ...
/h/herdmen.htm - 8k

Dwelled (5 Occurrences)
... Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the
herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in ...
/d/dwelled.htm - 7k

Per'izzites (21 Occurrences)
... Per'izzites (21 Occurrences). Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the
herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle. ...
/p/per'izzites.htm - 13k

Strove (25 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying,
The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove ...
/s/strove.htm - 14k

Argument (45 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Genesis 13:8 Then Abram said to Lot, Let there be no argument between me
and you, and between my herdmen and your herdmen, for we are brothers. (BBE). ...
/a/argument.htm - 19k

Strive (64 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying,
The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove ...
/s/strive.htm - 25k

Let's (74 Occurrences)
... Genesis 13:8 And Abram said unto Lot: 'Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between
me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we are brethren. ...
/l/let's.htm - 27k

Fight (265 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:20 But the herdmen of Gerar had a fight with Isaac's herdmen, for they
said, The spring is ours: so he gave the spring the name of Esek, because ...
/f/fight.htm - 38k

Spring (122 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:20 But the herdmen of Gerar had a fight with Isaac's herdmen, for they
said, The spring is ours: so he gave the spring the name of Esek, because ...
/s/spring.htm - 40k

Cattle (277 Occurrences)
... Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the
herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in ...
/c/cattle.htm - 52k

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