Herdsman:
In Egypt herdsmen were probably of the lowest caste. Some of Joseph's brethren were made rulers over Pharaoh's cattle (Gen 47:6,17). The Israelites were known in Egypt as "keepers of cattle;" and when they left it they took their flocks and herds with them (Exd 12:38). Both David and Saul came from "following the herd" to occupy the throne (1Sa 9; 11:5; Psa 78:70). David's herd-masters were among his chief officers of state. The daughters also of wealthy chiefs were wont to tend the flocks of the family (Gen 29:9; Exd 2:16). The "chief of the herdsmen" was in the time of the monarchy an officer of high rank (1Sa 21:7; 1Ch 27:29). The herdsmen lived in tents (Isa 38:12; Jer 6:3); and there were folds for the cattle (Num 32:16), and watch-towers for the herdsmen, that he might therefrom observe any coming danger (Mic 4:8; Nah 3:8).
Herdsman:
hurdz'-man (boqer; the King James Version, the English Revised Version "herdman"): A cowherd (Am 7:14). The same word is used in Syria today. roeh, has its equivalent in the language of Syria and Palestine (Arabic ra'i), and is a general term for any kind of a herdsman (Ge 13:7,8; 26:20; 1Sa 21:7). noqedh, occurs in one passage (Am 1:1); literally it means one who spots or marks the sheep, hence, a herdsman. Spotting the wool with different dyes is still the method of distinguishing between the sheep of different flocks. The herdsman is seldom the owner of the sheep, but a hireling.
Written by James A. Patch
See SHEEP
See SHEEP TENDING
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