Bible Dictionaries
Sheep

Holman Bible Dictionary

Animals important to the economy of ancient Israel and her neighbors. Translation of seven different Hebrew words and expressions. Ts'on is a collective term for small domesticated animals, particularly sheep and goats. Seh is an individual member of the collective ts'on , one sheep or goat. Kebes is a young ram, as is the apparently related word keseb . Kibsah and kisbah are young lambs. Tsoneh is either a variant spelling of or the feminine of Ts'on . Rachel is the mother sheep. The male sheep or ram is ayil , which served as a symbol of authority and rule (Exodus 15:15; Ezekiel 17:13; Ezekiel 31:11 ). Sheep symbolized people without leadership and unity, scattered like sheep without a shepherd (1 Kings 22:17 ), innocent people not deserving of punishment (1 Chronicles 21:17 ), as helpless facing slaughter (Psalm 44:11 ,Psalms 44:11,44:22 ) and death (Psalm 49:14 ). God's people are His sheep enjoying His protection and listening to His voice (Psalm 78:52; Psalm 95:7; Psalm 100:3; compare Psalm 23:1 ). Sheep represent economic prosperity (Psalm 144:13 ) or poverty (Isaiah 7:21 ). Straying sheep illustrate human sin (Isaiah 53:6 ), but the silent lamb at the slaughter prepares the way for Christ's sacrifice (Isaiah 53:7 ). Ezekiel 34:1 uses the life of sheep and shepherds to picture God's relationship with His people and their rulers. Human value is contrasted to that of sheep ( Matthew 12:12 ). The shepherd's separating his ts'on into sheep and goats illustrates the final judgment (Matthew 25:1 ). The search for one lost sheep depicts God's love for His people (Luke 15:1 ). Jesus contrasted His care for His flock with other religious leaders, especially the Pharisees who behaved as thieves and robbers (John 10:1 ). His commission to Peter was to take care of the sheep (John 21:1 ). See Agriculture; Cattle; Economic Life .

Trent C. Butler