Topical Encyclopedia Sheep hold significant symbolic and practical importance throughout the Bible, serving as a representation of God's people, a metaphor for innocence and sacrifice, and a staple of ancient agrarian life. In the biblical narrative, sheep are often associated with pastoral imagery, reflecting the agrarian society of the Israelites and their dependence on livestock for sustenance and economic stability.Symbolism and Metaphor Sheep are frequently used as a metaphor for God's people, illustrating their need for guidance and protection. In Psalm 23:1, David famously declares, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want," highlighting the relationship between God and His people as one of a shepherd to his flock. This imagery is further emphasized in the New Testament, where Jesus refers to Himself as the "Good Shepherd" in John 10:11, stating, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." The metaphor of sheep also extends to the concept of sacrifice. In the Old Testament, sheep were commonly used as sacrificial animals, symbolizing purity and atonement for sin. The Passover lamb, as described in Exodus 12, is a prime example, where the blood of a lamb was used to protect the Israelites from the final plague in Egypt. This sacrificial imagery is fulfilled in the New Testament with Jesus being referred to as the "Lamb of God" in John 1:29, signifying His role as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins. Practical Significance Sheep were a vital part of the economy and daily life in biblical times. They provided wool, milk, and meat, and were a measure of wealth and prosperity. The patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were shepherds, and their wealth was often described in terms of their flocks (Genesis 13:2, Genesis 30:43). The care and management of sheep required diligence and skill, as seen in the account of David, who was a shepherd before becoming king (1 Samuel 16:11). Moral and Spiritual Lessons The Bible uses the behavior of sheep to teach moral and spiritual lessons. Sheep are known for their tendency to stray and their need for a shepherd, which serves as a reminder of humanity's inclination to wander from God's path and the necessity of divine guidance. Isaiah 53:6 states, "We all like sheep have gone astray; each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all," illustrating the need for redemption and the role of Christ as the shepherd who seeks and saves the lost. ·-- Kedar Kedar is a significant biblical term referring to a nomadic tribe descended from Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. The name Kedar is often associated with the Arabian desert and is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting its cultural and historical relevance. Genealogical Background Kedar is listed as the second son of Ishmael in Genesis 25:13: "These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam." As a descendant of Ishmael, Kedar is part of the broader narrative of the Abrahamic family, which includes both the Israelites and the surrounding nations. Cultural and Economic Role The people of Kedar were known for their nomadic lifestyle, dwelling in tents and raising livestock, particularly camels and sheep. They were renowned for their skills in archery and their production of fine wool and black tents, as mentioned in Song of Solomon 1:5: "I am dark yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon." Kedar's economic activities included trade, and they were known for their involvement in the caravan trade routes that traversed the Arabian Peninsula. This is reflected in Isaiah 21:16-17, which speaks of the fall of Kedar's glory and the reduction of their archers, indicating their military and economic influence. Prophetic References Kedar is frequently mentioned in prophetic literature, often symbolizing the nations surrounding Israel and their interactions with God's chosen people. In Isaiah 42:11, the prophet calls for the people of Kedar to sing praises to the Lord: "Let the desert and its cities raise their voices, the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them cry out from the mountaintops." The judgment against Kedar is also pronounced in Jeremiah 49:28-29, where the Lord commands the destruction of Kedar's tents and flocks, illustrating the broader theme of divine justice and the fate of nations that oppose God's will. Spiritual Implications Kedar's presence in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the nations and the unfolding of God's plan through history. The references to Kedar highlight the themes of judgment, redemption, and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all peoples, as seen in the prophetic calls for Kedar to acknowledge and worship the one true God. Nave's Topical Index Ezekiel 27:21Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with you in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they your merchants. Nave's Topical Index Library The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles). The Unsatisfied Life and Its Remedy On Assembling in the Church. 1 Cor. xiii. 4 The Broad Wall But we Need no Longer Show in this Narrow Way the Drawback of this ... Letter cviii. To Eustochium. Come and Welcome The Nations of the South-East Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ... Resources What is the significance of sheep in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the “other sheep” mentioned in John 10:16? | GotQuestions.org What is sheep stealing? | GotQuestions.org Sheep: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sheep Gate: An Ancient Gate of Jerusalem Sheep of the Defenselessness of Servants of God (Greek: Diakonoi) Sheep of the Wicked in Their Death Sheep of Those Under God's Judgment Sheep were Frequently: Cut off by Disease Sheep were Frequently: Destroyed by Wild Beasts Sheep were Frequently: Given As Presents Sheep were Frequently: Given As Tribute Sheep were Frequently: Taken in Great Numbers in War Sheep: (In Patience and Simplicity) of Patience, of Christ Sheep: (In Proneness to Wander) of Those Who Depart from God Sheep: (Lost) of the Unregenerate Sheep: (Separation from the Goats) the Separation of Saints Sheep: (When Found) Restored Sinners Sheep: Also: Jacob's Management of Sheep: Being Covered With a Fleece Sheep: Bleating of, Alluded To Sheep: Constituted a Great Part of Patriarchal Wealth Sheep: False Prophets Assume the Simple Appearance Sheep: Feasting at the Time of Shearing Sheep: Females of, Called Ewes Sheep: First Wool of, Given to the Priests Sheep: Firstlings of, Could not be Dedicated As a Free-Will offering Sheep: Firstlings of, not to be Redeemed Sheep: Firstlings of, not to be Shorn Sheep: Flesh of, Extensively Used As Food Sheep: Flocks of Attended by Members of the Family Sheep: Flocks of Attended by Servants Sheep: Flocks of Conducted to the Richest Pastures Sheep: Flocks of Fed in the Valleys Sheep: Flocks of Fed on the Mountains Sheep: Flocks of Fled from Strangers Sheep: Flocks of Followed the Shepherd Sheep: Flocks of Frequently Covered the Pastures Sheep: Flocks of Guarded by Dogs Sheep: Flocks of Kept in Folds or Cotes Sheep: Flocks of Made to Rest at Noon Sheep: Flocks of Watered Every Day Sheep: Offered in Sacrifice by Abel Sheep: Offered in Sacrifice by Abraham Sheep: Offered in Sacrifice by Noah Sheep: Offered in Sacrifice from the Earliest Age Sheep: Offered in Sacrifice Under the Law Sheep: Places Celebrated For: Bashan Sheep: Places Celebrated For: Bozrah Sheep: Places Celebrated For: Kedar Sheep: Places Celebrated For: Nebaioth Sheep: Skins of, Made Into a Covering for the Tabernacle Sheep: Skins of, Worn As Clothing by the Poor Sheep: The First Fleece of, Belonged to the Priests and the Levites Sheep: The Land of Bashan Adapted to the Raising of Sheep: Time of Shearing, a Time of Rejoicing Sheep: Tithe of, Given to the Levites Sheep: Tribute (Taxes) Paid In Sheep: Under Man's Care from the Earliest Age Sheep: Washed and Shorn Every Year Sheep: Wool of, Made Into Clothing Related Terms |
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