The term "tended" in the biblical context often refers to the act of caring for, nurturing, or overseeing something or someone. This concept is deeply rooted in the pastoral and agricultural imagery prevalent throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the agrarian society in which the biblical narratives were set.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, tending is frequently associated with shepherding, a common occupation among the Israelites. The role of a shepherd was to care for and protect the flock, ensuring their safety and well-being. This imagery is vividly portrayed in Psalm 23, where David describes the Lord as his shepherd: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters" (Psalm 23:1-2). Here, the Lord's tending is depicted as providing sustenance, rest, and guidance.

The concept of tending also appears in the context of the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 2:15, God places Adam in the garden "to work it and keep it" . This mandate to tend the garden underscores humanity's responsibility to steward God's creation, reflecting a divine order and purpose.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the theme of tending is often linked to spiritual leadership and care within the Christian community. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, exemplifies the ultimate model of tending. In John 10:11, He declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep" . This self-sacrificial care highlights the depth of Christ's love and commitment to His followers.

The apostle Peter, in his epistles, extends this shepherding metaphor to church leaders. In 1 Peter 5:2-3, he exhorts the elders to "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them—not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock" . This passage emphasizes the pastoral duty to tend to the spiritual needs of the congregation with humility and integrity.

Theological Implications

The act of tending, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense, carries significant theological implications. It reflects God's providential care for His creation and His people. The shepherding imagery used throughout Scripture serves as a powerful reminder of God's guidance, protection, and provision. It also establishes a model for human relationships, where care, responsibility, and stewardship are paramount.

In the broader biblical narrative, tending is not merely an agricultural or pastoral activity but a divine calling that encompasses spiritual oversight, nurturing relationships, and faithful stewardship of all that God has entrusted to humanity.(imp. & p. p.) of Tend.1618. ektenes -- stretched, fig. zealous, earnest
... of English terms, "tension" and "tense") -- properly, stretch , ie fully because
completely taut; (figuratively) at , without slack because fully tended to its ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1618.htm - 7k

On the Arrival of Gregory at Alexandria, Tended by a Military ...
... Book II. Chapter XI."On the Arrival of Gregory at Alexandria, tended by
a Military Escort, Athanasius flees. After these things ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xi on the arrival of.htm

Demonstration x. --Of Pastors.
... Jacob fed the sheep of Laban and toiled and was vigilant and led them well; and
then he tended and guided well his sons, and taught them the pattern of ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration x of pastors.htm

Of the Great Sentiment of Love which we Receive by Holy Hope.
... Even so, my dear Theotimus, our heart having had for so long a time an inclination
to its sovereign good, knew not to what end this motion tended: but so soon ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xv of the great.htm

Rationalism and Its Effects
... The principal writers of the English school were Lord Herbert of Cherbury
(1581-1648), whose works tended to call in question the existence of a supernatural ...
/.../chapter viii rationalism and its.htm

The Pilgrim Fathers
... Their observance tended to narrow the gulf which separated the reformed churches
from Rome, and it was urged that they would promote the acceptance of the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 16 the pilgrim fathers.htm

The Pilgrim Fathers.
... Their observance tended to narrow the gulf which separated the reformed churches
from Rome, and it was urged that they would promote the acceptance of the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /16 the pilgrim fathers.htm

Successors of Theodosius the Great. Rufinus, the Pr??torian
... These circumstances tended greatly to the extension of religion. ... The virtue of their
leaders also tended greatly to the maintenance of concord among them. ...
/.../chapter i successors of theodosius the.htm

How the People Raised a Sedition against Archelaus, and How He ...
... The people made a great clamor and lamentation hereupon, and cast out some reproaches
against the king also, as if that tended to alleviate the miseries of the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how the people.htm

How Far the Baptist Revived the Expectation of a Messiah.
... The Greek and Alexandrian culture, and perhaps the combination of the two in the
religious Realism of Palestine, may have tended to bring about this result. ...
/.../the life of jesus christ in its historical connexion/section 32 how far the.htm

How the Senators Determined to Restore the Democracy; but the ...
... into our administration, and to get above right and justice, and to be a slave to
his own inclinations, there is no kind of misery but what hath tended to the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how the senators.htm

Tended (7 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Tend. Multi-Version Concordance Tended (7 Occurrences). ... Exodus 3:1
And Moses tended the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. ...
/t/tended.htm - 8k

Apocalyptic
... who looked down from the superior height of his artistic culture on all barbarians,
and the influence that culture had in the ruling classes tended to seduce ...
/a/apocalyptic.htm - 42k

Literature (2 Occurrences)
... who looked down from the superior height of his artistic culture on all barbarians,
and the influence that culture had in the ruling classes tended to seduce ...
/l/literature.htm - 82k

Tend (24 Occurrences)

/t/tend.htm - 14k

Philosophy (1 Occurrence)
... On the other hand, the older schools, no longer served by creative minds, tended
to merge their ideas into a common eclecticism which its teachers reduced into ...
/p/philosophy.htm - 27k

Woman (4043 Occurrences)
... The implication of the passage, in any case, is clearly that this connection of
Moses tended to injure his prestige in the eyes of race-proud Hebrews, and ...
/w/woman.htm - 45k

Syria (73 Occurrences)
... The large and flourishing Jewish colony offered an immediate field for Christian
teaching, and the cosmopolitanism of the city tended to widen the outlook of ...
/s/syria.htm - 60k

Onesimus (2 Occurrences)
... Colosse. He found his way to Rome, where evil men tended to flock as to a
common center, as Tacitus tells us they did at that period. ...
/o/onesimus.htm - 12k

Thither (119 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) To that place; -- opposed to hither. 2. (adv.)
To that point, end, or result; as, the argument tended thither. ...
/t/thither.htm - 38k

Enchantment (4 Occurrences)
... They were a constant incentive to idolatry, clouded the mind with superstition,
tended and were closely allied to imposture (Matthew 24:24). ...
/e/enchantment.htm - 16k

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