Reference: Herdsman
Easton
In Egypt herdsmen were probably of the lowest caste. Some of Joseph's brethren were made rulers over Pharaoh's cattle (Ge 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 (Ex 12:38). Both David and Saul came from "following the herd" to occupy the throne (1Sa 9; 11:5; Ps 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 (Ge 29:9; Ex 2:16). The "chief of the herdsmen" was in the time of the monarchy an officer of high rank (1Sa 21:7; comp. 1Ch 27:29). The herdsmen lived in tents (Isa 38:12; Jer 6:3); and there were folds for the cattle (Nu 32:16), and watch-towers for the herdsmen, that he might therefrom observe any coming danger (Mic 4:8; Na 3:8).
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While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess.
"The land of Egypt is at your disposal; settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land, let them live in the land of Goshen; and if you know any capable men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock."
So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses and the flocks and the herds and the donkeys; and he fed them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock.
Then they came near to him and said, "We will build here sheepfolds for our livestock and cities for our little ones;
Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's shepherds.
Shitrai the Sharonite had charge of the cattle which were grazing in Sharon; and Shaphat the son of Adlai had charge of the cattle in the valleys.
He also chose David His servant And took him from the sheepfolds;
"Like a shepherd's tent my dwelling is pulled up and removed from me; As a weaver I rolled up my life He cuts me off from the loom; From day until night You make an end of me.
"Shepherds and their flocks will come to her, They will pitch their tents around her, They will pasture each in his place.
"As for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, To you it will come-- Even the former dominion will come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.
Are you better than No-amon, Which was situated by the waters of the Nile, With water surrounding her, Whose rampart was the sea, Whose wall consisted of the sea?