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herd Summary and Overview

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herd in Easton's Bible Dictionary

Gen. 13:5; Deut. 7:14. (See CATTLE T0000740.)

herd in Smith's Bible Dictionary

(a collection of cattle), Herdsmen. The herd was greatly regarded in both the patriarchal and the Mosaic period. The ox was the most precious stock next to horse and mule. The herd yielded the most esteemed sacrifice, #Nu 7:3; Ps 69:31; Isa 66:3| also flesh meat, and milk, chiefly converted probably, into butter and cheese. #De 32:14; 2Sa 17:29| The agricultural and general usefulness of the ox in ploughing, threshing, and as a beast of burden, #1Ch 12:40; Isa 46:1| made a slaughtering of him seem wasteful. Herdsmen, etc., in Egypt were a low, perhaps the lowest, caste; but of the abundance of cattle in Egypt, and of the care there bestowed on them, there is no doubt. #Ge 47:6,17; Ex 9:4,20| So the plague of hail was sent to smite especially the cattle, #Ps 78:48| the firstborn of which also were smitten. #Ex 12:29| The Israelites departing stipulated for, #Ex 10:26| and took "much cattle" with them. ch. #Ex 12:38| Cattle formed thus one of the traditions of the Israelitish nation in its greatest period, and became almost a part of that greatness. The occupation of herdsman was honorable in early times. #Ge 47:6; 1Sa 11:5, 1Ch 27:29; 28:1| Saul himself resumed it in the interval of his cares as king, also Doeg was certainly high in his confidence #1Sa 21:7| Pharaoh made some of Joseph's brethren "rulers over his cattle." David's herd-masters were among his chief officers of state. The prophet Amos at first followed this occupation.

herd in Schaff's Bible Dictionary

HERD or HERDSMAN Nothing more strikingly brings out the contrast between the Egyptians and the Hebrews than their different estimation of the pursuit of cattle-raising. While the latter had large herds and flocks, and considered their possession and keep honorable, the former, quite as dependent upon them for food and labor, despised the herdsman as "an abomination," Gen 46:34. By the influence of Joseph his brethren were made Pharaoh's chief herdsmen, Gen 47:6. The patriarchs were great herdsmen. The occupation was not inconsistent with state honors; thus, Doeg, "the chiefest of th§ herdsmen," was high in Saul's favor, 1 Sam 21:7. David's herdmasters were among his chief officers of state. In Solomon's time, although commerce decreased its relative importance, the pursuit was still extensive. Eccl 2:7; 1 Kgs 4:23. "It must have suffered greatly from the inroads of the enemies to which the country, under the later kings of Judah and Israel, was exposed. Uzziah, however, 2 Chr 26:10; and Hezekiah, 2 Chr 32:28-29, resuming command of the open country, revived it. Josiah also seems to have been rich in herds, 2 Chr 35:7-9. The prophet Amos at first followed this occupation, Am 1:1; Am 7:14." The wealth of the Jews at all times consisted largely of cattle. The territory of the tribes across the Jordan was particularly adapted for grazing-purposes. West of the river the principal Egyptian Herdsmen treating sick Animals. (After Wilkinson.) feeding-grounds were Sharon, 1 Chr 27:29, the Carmel, 1 Sam 25:2, and Dothan, Gen 37:17; but doubtless all the uncultivated lands were used for this purpose. But for food they did not use, as we do, full-grown beeves, but killed the calves. Fattening for beef is indeed not practised in the East. The oxen were broken for service in the third year, Isa 15:5. When the heat had dried up all the pasture, then the oxen were stalled, Hab 3:17. Hence the figure "a stalled ox" for stately magnificence, which is used in Prov 15:17. "Calves of the stall" were watchfully cared for, Mal 4:2. Cattle feed upon foliage as well as upon grass, Ps 50:10. A mixture of various grains, as also chopped straw, is fed when the pasture gives out. See Job 6:5, "fodder;" Isa 30:24, "provender;" Gen 24:25; Isa 11:7; Isa 65:25. See Agriculture. Ox.

herd in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Cattle formed a considerable part of Israel's wealth. The full grown ox was seldom slaughtered, being more useful for plowing, threshing, and carrying burdens. The people's act, recorded in 1 Samuel 14:32, was one of excess. The third year was the time for breaking to service (Isaiah 15:5). Fattening for beef is not practiced in the East. Grazing is afforded in the South region (the Negeb), Carmel, Dothan, and Sharon. The ox ate foliage too in Bashan and Gilead (Psalm 50:10). Uzziah "built towers in the desert" (wasteland) to guard the pasturing cattle. When pasture failed "provender," Hebrew a mixture of various grains, was used. Isaiah 30:24, "clean (chamits, 'salted') provender," or well fermented maslin, composed of grain, beans, vetches, hay, and salt, which beasts of burden in the East relish. The Arabs say, "sweet provender is as bread to camels, salted provender as confectionery." Also chopped straw (Isaiah 11:7; Isaiah 65:25). The sense in Malachi 4:3 is, "Ye shall go forth, and grow up, as calves of the stall," which when set free from the stall disport with joy; the believer's future joy at the Lord's second coming (Isaiah 25:9; Isaiah 61:10; 1 Peter 1:8). When harvest was over, and open pastures failed because of the heat, the ox was fed in stalls (Habakkuk 3:17) until vegetation returned. Saul himself had herded cattle, and Doeg his chief herdsman was high in his favor (1 Samuel 11:5; 1 Samuel 21:7). Joseph's brethren were assigned the office as an honourable one by Pharaoh (Genesis 47:6). Hezekiah and Uzziah, when the land was less disturbed by hostile inroads, revived cattle tending which had previously declined (2 Chronicles 26:10; 2 Chronicles 32:28-29).