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 before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them settle in the land of Goshen, and if you know any able men among them, put them in charge of my livestock."
So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the herds, and the donkeys. He supplied them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds.
Then they came near to him and said, "We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones,
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD. His name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's herdsmen.
Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai.
He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me like a shepherd's tent; like a weaver I have rolled up my life; he cuts me off from the loom; from day to night you bring me to an end;
Shepherds with their flocks shall come against her; they shall pitch their tents around her; they shall pasture, each in his place.
And you, O tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, the former dominion shall come, kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem.
Are you better than Thebes that sat by the Nile, with water around her, her rampart a sea, and water her wall?