Bible Encyclopedias
Sheep-Shearing
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
shēp´shēr - ing : The sheep-shearing is done in the springtime, either by the owners ( Genesis 31:19; Genesis 38:13; Deuteronomy 15:19; 1 Samuel 25:2 , 1 Samuel 25:4 ) or by regular "shearers" (גּזז , gāzaz ) (1 Samuel 25:7 , 1 Samuel 25:11; Isaiah 53:7 ). There were special houses for this work in Old Testament times (2 Kings 10:12 , 2 Kings 10:14 ). The shearing was carefully done so as to keep the fleece whole (Judges 6:37 ). The sheep of a flock are not branded but spotted. Lime or some dyestuff is painted in one or more spots on the wool of the back as a distinguishing mark. In 2 Kings 3:4 , Mesha, the chief or sheikh of Moab, was a sheep-master, literally, "a sheep spotter."
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and were generously provided by the folks at WordSearch Software.
Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Sheep-Shearing'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/s/sheep-shearing.html. 1915.