Reference: Sheep
American
Of the Syrian sheep, according to Dr. Russell, there are two varieties; the one called Bedaween sheep, which differ in no respect from the larger kinds of sheep among us, except that their tails are somewhat longer and thicker; the others are those often mentioned by travellers on account of their extraordinary tails; and this species is by far the most numerous. The tail of one of these animals is very broad and large, terminating in a small appendage that turns back upon it. It is of a substance between fat and marrow, and is not eaten separately, but mixed with the lean meat in many of their dishes, and also often used instead of butter. A common sheep of this sort, without the head, feet, skin, and entrails, weighs from sixty to eighty pounds, of which the tail itself is usually ten or fifteen pounds, and when the animal is fattened, twice or thrice that weight, and very inconvenient to its owner.
The sheep or lamb was the common sacrifice under the Mosaic law; and it is to be remarked, that when the divine legislator speaks of this victim, he never omits to appoint that the rump or tail be laid whole on the fire of the altar, Ex 29:22; Le 3:9. The reason for this is seen in the account just given from Dr. Russell; from which it appears that this was the most delicate part of the animal, and therefore the most proper to be presented in sacrifice to Jehovah.
The innocence, mildness, submission, and patience of the sheep or lamb, rendered it peculiarly sheep and lamb, rendered it peculiarly suitable for a sacrifice, and an appropriate type of the Lamb of God, Joh 1:29. A recent traveller in Palestine witnessed the shearing of a sheep in the immediate vicinity of Gethsemane; and the silent, unresisting submission of the poor animal, thrown with its feet bound upon the earth, its sides rudely pressed by the shearer's knees, while every movement threatened to lacerate the flesh, was a touching commentary on the prophet's description of Christ, Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32-35.
There are frequent allusions in Scripture to these characteristics of the sheep, and to its proneness to go astray, Ps 119:176; Isa 53:6. It is a gregarious animal also; and as loving the companionship of the flock and dependant of the protection and guidance of its master, its name is often given to the people of God, 2Ki 22:17; Ps 79:13-80:1; Mt 25:32. Sheep and goats are still found in Syria feeding indiscriminately together, as in ancient times, Ge 30:35; Mt 25:32-33. The season of sheep shearing was one of great joy and festivity, 1Sa 25:5,8,36; 2Sa 13:23.
Sheep-cotes or folds, among the Israelites, appear to have been generally open houses, or enclosures walled round, often in front of rocky caverns, to guard the sheep from beasts of prey by night, and the scorching heat of noon, Nu 32:16; 2Sa 7:8; Jer 23:3,6; Joh 10:1-5. See SHEPHERD.
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Laban took out the striped and spotted male goats, all the speckled and spotted female goats (every one with white on it), and every black lamb. He had his sons take charge of them that same day.
Remove the ram's fat, the fat tail, the fat covering the internal organs, the fat attached to the liver, the two kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh.
Take the fat from the fellowship offering and offer it by fire to Jehovah. Remove all the fat from the tail and the fat that covers the internal organs.
The tribes of Gad and Reuben came to Moses and said: Allow us to build stone fences for our livestock and cities for our families here.
David sent ten young men to Nabal. David said to them: Go up to Carmel and go to Nabal, and say kind words to him in my name.
Ask your shepherds. They will tell you the same thing. My servants are your servants. You are like a father to me. This is a day for celebrating. Please be kind and share some of your food with us.'
When Abigail came to Nabal, he was holding a banquet in his home. It was like a king's banquet. He was in a good mood and very drunk, so she did not tell him anything until dawn.
I will do this because they abandoned me. They sacrificed to other gods in order to make me furious. Therefore, my burning anger against this place will never be extinguished.'
Your people, the flock in your pasture, will thank you forever. We will praise you throughout all generations.
Deal bountifully with your servant that I may live and keep your word.
We are all like sheep. We have gone astray! Each of us has turned to his own way. Jehovah has caused the iniquity (sin) of all of us to be laid on him. He was oppressed and afflicted and yet he did not open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. He was silent like sheep ready to be sheared. He did not open his mouth.
Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture. Then they will be fruitful and multiply.
In His days Judah will be saved. Israel will dwell securely. This is his name by which he will be called, Jehovah Is Our Righteousness.
All nations will be gathered before him. He will then separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
All nations will be gathered before him. He will then separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him. He boldly declared: Behold! The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!
Truly I tell you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs up some other way is a thief and a robber. He who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. The doorkeeper opens to him and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his sheep by name and leads them. When all of his own are out he leads them. The sheep follow him for they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger but will flee from him. They do not know the voice of a stranger.
The Scripture he read was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away. Who will declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. read more. The eunuch asked Philip: Please tell me of whom is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else? Then Philip began at the same Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
Easton
are of different varieties. Probably the flocks of Abraham and Isaac were of the wild species found still in the mountain regions of Persia and Kurdistan. After the Exodus, and as a result of intercourse with surrounding nations, other species were no doubt introduced into the herds of the people of Israel. They are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The care of a shepherd over his flock is referred to as illustrating God's care over his people (Ps 23:1-2; 74:1; 77:20; Isa 40:11; 53:6; Joh 10:1-5,7-16).
The sheep of Palestine are longer in the head than ours, and have tails from 5 inches broad at the narrowest part to 15 inches at the widest, the weight being in proportion, and ranging generally from 10 to 14 lbs., but sometimes extending to 30 lbs. The tails are indeed huge masses of fat (Geikie's Holy Land, etc.). The tail was no doubt the "rump" so frequently referred to in the Levitical sacrifices (Ex 29:22; Le 3:9; 7:3; 9:19). Sheep-shearing was generally an occasion of great festivity (Ge 31:19; 38:12-13; 1Sa 25:4-8,36; 2Sa 13:23-28).
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When Laban went to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household idols.
After some time Judah's wife died. When he finished mourning, he and his friend Hirah of Adullam went to Timnah, where his sheep were being sheared. Tamar found out that her father-in-law Judah was going to Timnah to shear his sheep.
Remove the ram's fat, the fat tail, the fat covering the internal organs, the fat attached to the liver, the two kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh.
Take the fat from the fellowship offering and offer it by fire to Jehovah. Remove all the fat from the tail and the fat that covers the internal organs.
He will offer all the fat, the fat from the tail, the fat covering the internal organs.
The fat from the bull and the ram, the fat from the tail, the layer of fat, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver
([Psalm of David]) Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters.
([Psalm of Asaph]) God, why have you rejected us forever? Why do you smoke with anger against the sheep of your pasture?
You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. He gently leads those that have young.
We are all like sheep. We have gone astray! Each of us has turned to his own way. Jehovah has caused the iniquity (sin) of all of us to be laid on him.
Truly I tell you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs up some other way is a thief and a robber. He who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. The doorkeeper opens to him and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his sheep by name and leads them. When all of his own are out he leads them. The sheep follow him for they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger but will flee from him. They do not know the voice of a stranger.
Jesus explained: I am the door of the sheep. Thieves and robbers came in place of me but the sheep did not listen to them. read more. I am the door. If any man enters through me he will be saved. He will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired man owns no sheep. He is not the shepherd. He sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep. The wolf snatches them, and scatters them. He leaves because he is a hired man and does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me. Just as the Father knows me I know the Father! I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I will also bring them. They will hear my voice and they will become one flock, one shepherd.
Fausets
Ge 4:2. Abounded in the pastures of Palestine. Shepherds go before them and call them by name to follow (Joh 10:4; Ps 77:20; 80:1). The ordinary sheep are the broad tailed sheep, and the Ovis aries, like our own except that the tail is longer and thicker, and the ears larger; called bedoween. Centuries B.C. Aristotle mentions Syrian sheep with tails a cubit wide. The fat tail is referred to in Le 3:9; 7:3. The Syrian cooks use the mass of fat instead of the rancid Arab butter.
The sheep symbolizes meekness, patience, gentleness, and submission (Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32). (See LAMB.) Tsown means sheep"; ayil, the full-grown "ram," used for the male of other ruminants also; rachel, the adult "ewe"; kebes (masculine), kibsah (feminine), the half grown lamb; seh, "sheep" or paschal "lamb"; char, "young ram"; taleh, "sucking lamb"; 'atod (Genesis 31 "ram") means "he-goat"; imrin, "lambs for sacrifice."
The sheep never existed in a wild state, but was created expressly for man, and so was selected from the first for sacrifice. The image is frequent in Scripture: Jehovah the Shepherd, His people the flock (Ps 23:1; Isa 40:11; Jer 23:1-2; Ezekiel 34). Sinners are the straying sheep whom the Good Shepherd came to save (Ps 119:176; Isa 53:6; Jer 50:6; Lu 15:4-6; Joh 10:8,11). False teachers are thieves and wolves in sheep's clothing (Mt 7:15). None can pluck His sheep from His hand and the Father's (Joh 10:27-29).
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Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.
Take the fat from the fellowship offering and offer it by fire to Jehovah. Remove all the fat from the tail and the fat that covers the internal organs.
He will offer all the fat, the fat from the tail, the fat covering the internal organs.
([Psalm of David]) Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.
You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
([Psalm of Asaph]) Oh, give ear (listen), Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!
Deal bountifully with your servant that I may live and keep your word.
He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. He gently leads those that have young.
We are all like sheep. We have gone astray! Each of us has turned to his own way. Jehovah has caused the iniquity (sin) of all of us to be laid on him. He was oppressed and afflicted and yet he did not open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. He was silent like sheep ready to be sheared. He did not open his mouth.
Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture! Says Jehovah. This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says concerning the shepherds who are tending my people: You have scattered my flock and driven them away. You have not attended to them. I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds, says Jehovah.
My people have become lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray. They have made them turn aside on the mountains. They have gone along from mountain to hill and have forgotten their resting place.
Watch out for the false prophets. They are disguised as sheep. But in their hearts they are vicious wolves.
If you have a hundred sheep and lose one of them, what do you do? You leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one you lost until you find it. When you find it you are happy. You carry it on your shoulders. read more. You bring it back home. You invite your friends and neighbors together to celebrate. You say, 'I am so happy I found my lost sheep.'
When all of his own are out he leads them. The sheep follow him for they know his voice.
Thieves and robbers came in place of me but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life. They will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. read more. My Father has given them to me. He is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
The Scripture he read was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer so he did not open his mouth.
Hastings
1. ts
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Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.
He (God) said to him: Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
I have been with you now for twenty years. Your sheep and your goats have not failed to reproduce. I have not even eaten any rams from your flocks.
There were two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred female sheep and twenty male sheep,
Jacob responded: My lord knows that the children are frail and that the flocks and herds that are nursing are a care to me. If they are driven hard one day, all the flocks will die.
He bought the piece of land on which he pitched his tents. He bought it from the sons of Hamor, father of Shechem, for one hundred pieces of silver.
A man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it. He must pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.
Remove the ram's fat, the fat tail, the fat covering the internal organs, the fat attached to the liver, the two kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh.
Take the fat from the fellowship offering and offer it by fire to Jehovah. Remove all the fat from the tail and the fat that covers the internal organs.
a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb as a burnt offering;
These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,
He ate cheese from cows and drank milk from sheep and goats. He gave them fat (the best from the flock) from lambs, rams from the stock of Bashan, male goats, and the best wheat. He drank the blood-red wine of grapes.
Samuel killed a young lamb and burned it whole as a sacrifice to Jehovah. Then he prayed to Jehovah to help Israel. Jehovah answered his prayer.
So Abigail quickly took two hundred loaves of bread, two full wineskins, five butchered sheep, a bushel of roasted grain, one hundred bunches of raisins, and two hundred fig cakes and loaded them on donkeys.
When they need young bulls and sheep and lambs, for burned offerings to the God of heaven and grain, salt, wine, and oil, whatever the priests in Jerusalem say is necessary, is to be given to them day by day regularly:
Your teeth are like a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one looks like twins, and there is not one barren among them.
In the ruins of the cities lambs will eat grass and young goats will find pasture.
All the hills where crops were once planted will be so overgrown with thorns that no one will go there. It will be a place where cattle and sheep graze.
He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. He gently leads those that have young.
The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the bull, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on my entire holy mountain, Jehovah proclaims.
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him. He boldly declared: Behold! The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!
Truly I tell you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs up some other way is a thief and a robber. He who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. The doorkeeper opens to him and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his sheep by name and leads them. When all of his own are out he leads them. The sheep follow him for they know his voice.
I saw a Lamb that looked as though it had been slain, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders. The lamb had seven horns and seven eyes. These are the seven Spirits of God sent into all the earth.
Morish
Sheep were bred in great numbers in Palestine, and formed a large part of the property of the Israelites. The species common there was the broad tailed sheep with horns (Ovis laticaudatus and Ovis aries). In Palestine they follow the shepherd and know his voice, and will not follow a stranger. Sheep and lambs were constantly offered in sacrifice. The morning and evening lamb and the passover lambs were all types of the sacred One who was called "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world."
Symbolically sheep are figurative of mankind, as being prone to wander: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." Isa 53:6; Lu 15:4-7. The Lord said, "My sheep shall never perish." The Good Shepherd calls His own sheep by name, and when brought into His own company they have perfect security, liberty, and sustenance. Joh 10:9. The Lord led His sheep out of the Jewish fold: these were united with His 'other sheep' (Gentile believers), that they all should become 'one flock' with one Shepherd. Joh 10:3,16. In the future judgement of the nations, those saved are called 'sheep,' in distinction from the lost, who are called 'goats.' Mt 25:31-46.
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We are all like sheep. We have gone astray! Each of us has turned to his own way. Jehovah has caused the iniquity (sin) of all of us to be laid on him.
When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All nations will be gathered before him. He will then separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. read more. He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. The King will say to those on his right hand: 'Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.' The righteous will answer him: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or naked and dress you? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?' The King will answer: 'To the extent that you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.' Then he will tell those on his left: 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the ever-burning fire that is prepared for the Devil and his [fallen] angels. I was hungry and you did not feed me. I was thirsty and you did not give me drink. I was a stranger and you did not take me in. I was naked and you did not dress me. I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' They will also ask: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison and not minister to you?' The King will answer: 'To the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of my brothers, you did not do it to me.' These will go away into ever-burning fire (everlasting cutting off) (death) (total destruction) (doom) (punishment) (everlasting penalty), but the righteous to everlasting life.'
If you have a hundred sheep and lose one of them, what do you do? You leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one you lost until you find it. When you find it you are happy. You carry it on your shoulders. read more. You bring it back home. You invite your friends and neighbors together to celebrate. You say, 'I am so happy I found my lost sheep.' It is the same. I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to repent.
The doorkeeper opens to him and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his sheep by name and leads them.
I am the door. If any man enters through me he will be saved. He will go in and out and find pasture.
I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I will also bring them. They will hear my voice and they will become one flock, one shepherd.
Smith
Sheep.
Sheep were an important part of the possessions of the ancient Hebrews and of eastern nations generally. The first mention of sheep occurs in
They were used in the sacrificial offering,as, both the adult animal,
and the lamb. See
Sheep and lambs formed an important article of food.
The wool was used as clothing.
Rams skins dyed red were used as a covering for the tabernacle.
Sheep and lambs were sometimes paid as tribute.
It is very striking to notice the immense numbers of sheep that were reared in Palestine in biblical times. (Chardin says he saw a clan of Turcoman shepherds whose flock consisted of 3,000,000 sheep and goats, besides 400,000 Feasts of carriage, as horses, asses and camels.) Sheep-sheering is alluded to
Sheepdogs were employed in biblical times.
Shepherds in Palestine and the East generally go before their flocks, which they induce to follow by calling to them, comp.
though they also drive them.
The following quotation from Hartley's "Researches in Greece and the Levant," p. 321, is strikingly illustrative of the allusions in
Joh 10:1-16
Having had my attention directed last night to the words in
Joh 10:3
I asked my man if it was usual in Greece to give names to the sheep. He informed me that it was, and that the sheep obeyed the shepherd when he called them by their names. This morning I had an opportunity of verifying the truth of this remark. Passing by a flock of sheep I asked the shepherd the same question which I had put to the servant, and he gave me the same answer. I then had him call one of his sheep. He did so, and it instantly left its pasturage and its companions and ran up to the hands of the shepherd with signs of pleasure and with a prompt obedience which I had never before observed in any other animal. It is also true in this country that a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him. The shepherd told me that many of his sheep were still wild, that they had not yet learned their names, but that by teaching them they would all learn them." The common sheer, of Syria and Palestine are the broad-tailed. As the sheep is an emblem of meekness, patience and submission, it is expressly mentioned as typifying these qualities in the person of our blessed Lord.
etc. The relation that exists between Christ, "the chief Shepherd," and his members is beautifully compared to that which in the East is so strikingly exhibited by the shepherds to their flocks [SHEPHERD]
See Shepherd
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Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.
When Laban went to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household idols.
Jacob responded: My lord knows that the children are frail and that the flocks and herds that are nursing are a care to me. If they are driven hard one day, all the flocks will die.
Make an altar of earth for me. Sacrifice your sheep and your cattle as offerings to be completely burned and as peace offerings. In every place that I set-aside for you to worship me, I will come to you and bless you.
rams' skins dyed red, fine leather, acacia wood,
Tell the Israelites: 'Take a male goat as an offering for sin, a calf and a lamb, each one-year-old and without defects, as a burnt offering,
When the days needed to make her clean are over, she must bring a one-year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a pigeon or a mourning dove as an offering for sin. She should bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
So Abigail quickly took two hundred loaves of bread, two full wineskins, five butchered sheep, a bushel of roasted grain, one hundred bunches of raisins, and two hundred fig cakes and loaded them on donkeys.
King Mesha of Moab raised sheep. Yearly he gave as tribute to the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and the wool from one hundred thousand sheep.
Men younger than I am make fun of me now! Their fathers have always been so worthless that I would not let them help dogs guard sheep.
You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
([Psalm of Asaph]) Oh, give ear (listen), Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!
He was oppressed and afflicted and yet he did not open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. He was silent like sheep ready to be sheared. He did not open his mouth.
Truly I tell you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs up some other way is a thief and a robber. He who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. The doorkeeper opens to him and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his sheep by name and leads them.
The doorkeeper opens to him and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his sheep by name and leads them. When all of his own are out he leads them. The sheep follow him for they know his voice.
When all of his own are out he leads them. The sheep follow him for they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger but will flee from him. They do not know the voice of a stranger. read more. They did not understand this illustration Jesus spoke to them. Jesus explained: I am the door of the sheep. Thieves and robbers came in place of me but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If any man enters through me he will be saved. He will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired man owns no sheep. He is not the shepherd. He sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep. The wolf snatches them, and scatters them. He leaves because he is a hired man and does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me. Just as the Father knows me I know the Father! I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I will also bring them. They will hear my voice and they will become one flock, one shepherd.
The Scripture he read was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer so he did not open his mouth.
Watsons
SHEEP, ??, occurs frequently, and ???, a general name for both sheep and goats, considered collectively in a flock, Arabic zain. The sheep is a well known animal. The benefits which mankind owe to it are numerous. Its fleece, its skin, its flesh, its tallow, and even its horns and bowels are articles of great utility to human life and happiness. Its mildness and inoffensiveness of temper strongly recommend it to human affection and regard; and have designated it the pattern and emblem of meekness, innocence, patience, and submission. It is a social animal. The flock follow the ram as their leader; who frequently displays the most impetuous courage in their defence: dogs, and even men, when attempting to molest them, have often suffered from his sagacious and generous valour. There are two varieties of sheep found in Syria. The first, called the "Bidoween sheep," differs little from the large breed among us, except that the tail is somewhat longer and thicker. The second is much more common, and is more valued on account of the extraordinary bulk of its tail, which has been remarked by all the eastern travellers. The carcass of one of these sheep, without including the head, feet, entrails, and skin, weighs from fifty to sixty pounds, of which the tail makes up fifteen pounds. Some of a larger size, fattened with care, will sometimes weigh one hundred and fifty pounds, the tail alone composing one third of the whole weight. It is of a substance between fat and marrow, and is not eaten separately, but mixed with the lean meat in many of their dishes, and often also used instead of butter. A reference to this part is made in Ex 29:22; Le 3:9; where the fat and the tail were to be burnt on the altar of sacrifice. Mr. Street considers this precept to have had respect to the health of the Israelites; observing that "bilious disorders are very frequent in hot countries; the eating of fat meat is a great encouragement and excitement to them; and though the fat of the tail is now considered as a delicacy, it is really unwholesome." The conclusion of the seventeenth verse, which is, "Ye shall eat neither fat nor blood," justifies this opinion. The prohibition of eating fat, that is of fat unmixed with the flesh, the omentum or caul, is given also, Le 7:23.
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Remove the ram's fat, the fat tail, the fat covering the internal organs, the fat attached to the liver, the two kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh.
Take the fat from the fellowship offering and offer it by fire to Jehovah. Remove all the fat from the tail and the fat that covers the internal organs.
Tell the Israelites: 'Never eat any fat from bulls, sheep, or goats.