Topical Bible: Sheep: Washed and Shorn Every Year

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In biblical times, sheep were an essential part of agrarian life and held significant economic and symbolic value. The practice of washing and shearing sheep annually is deeply rooted in the agricultural customs of the ancient Near East, including those of the Israelites.

Biblical Context and Symbolism

Sheep are frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing purity, sacrifice, and the people of God. The imagery of sheep is often used to describe the relationship between God and His followers, as seen in Psalm 23:1, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." This metaphor underscores the care and guidance provided by God, akin to a shepherd tending to his flock.

Annual Washing and Shearing

The process of washing and shearing sheep was a significant event in the agricultural calendar. It typically occurred in the spring, after the lambing season, when the weather was warm enough to ensure the sheep would not suffer from exposure after losing their wool. The washing of sheep served to clean their wool of dirt and debris, making the shearing process more efficient and yielding cleaner wool.

The shearing of sheep is alluded to in several biblical passages. In 1 Samuel 25:4, David sends messengers to Nabal during the shearing season, indicating the importance of this time as a period of festivity and abundance. The shearing of sheep was not only a practical necessity but also a time of celebration and social gathering.

Economic and Social Importance

Sheep were a vital source of wool, a primary material for clothing and textiles in biblical times. The annual shearing provided wool that was essential for the production of garments, blankets, and other goods. This made sheep a valuable asset, contributing to the wealth and sustainability of a household or community.

The economic importance of sheep is highlighted in Proverbs 27:23-26, which advises, "Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation. When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field."

Spiritual Lessons

The practice of washing and shearing sheep also carries spiritual connotations. The cleansing of the sheep can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual purification, aligning with the biblical theme of being washed clean from sin. Isaiah 1:18 states, "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

Furthermore, the shearing of sheep, which involves the removal of their wool, can symbolize the shedding of worldly burdens and the renewal of the spirit. This aligns with the New Testament teachings of transformation and renewal in Christ, as seen in Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

In summary, the annual washing and shearing of sheep in biblical times was a practice rich with economic, social, and spiritual significance, reflecting the multifaceted role of sheep in the life and faith of the ancient Israelites.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Songs 4:2
Your teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Unchangeable Christ
... and bids him hold his tongue; but "the sheep follow him ... singing, "Unto him that loved
us, and washed us from ... we shall be like Samson when his locks were shorn. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 40 1894/the unchangeable christ.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... forests, and whose peaks were snow-crowned during half the year, and of ... a slight
veneer of Chaldaean civilization, while among the rest almost every stage of ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... the treasure held in common was there deposited under the guardianship of the god,
and the delegates from the confederate states met there every year at the ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

V. ...
... God; but who does not know that we are not all shorn and anointed ... "Whoever is washed,
must also ... For ye were as sheep going astray, but ye are now returned to ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v .htm