• Small cattle. Next to herds of neat cattle, sheep formed the most important of the possessions of the inhabitants of Palestine (Genesis 12:16; 13:5; 26:14; 21:27; 29:2,3 ). They are frequently mentioned among the booty taken in war (Numbers 31:32; Joshua 6:21; 1 Samuel 14:32; 15:3 ). There were many who were owners of large flocks (1 Samuel 25:2; 2 Samuel 12:2 , Compare Job 1:3 ). Kings also had shepherds "over their flocks" (1 Chronicles 27:31 ), from which they derived a large portion of their revenue (2 Samuel 17:29; 1 Chronicles 12:40 ). The districts most famous for their flocks of sheep were the plain of Sharon (Isaiah 65 :: 10 ), Mount Carmel (Micah 7:14 ), Bashan and Gilead (Micah 7:14 ). In patriarchal times the flocks of sheep were sometimes tended by the daughters of the owners. Thus Rachel, the daughter of Laban, kept her father's sheep (Genesis 29:9 ); as also Zipporah and her six sisters had charge of their father Jethro's flocks (Exodus 2:16 ). Sometimes they were kept by hired shepherds (John 10:12 ), and sometimes by the sons of the family (1 Samuel 16:11; 17:15 ). The keepers so familiarized their sheep with their voices that they knew them, and followed them at their call. Sheep, but more especially rams and lambs, were frequently offered in sacrifice. The shearing of sheep was a great festive occasion (1 Samuel 25:4; 2 Samuel 13:23 ). They were folded at night, and guarded by their keepers against the attacks of the lion (Micah 5:8 ), the bear (1 Samuel 17:34 ), and the wolf (Matthew 10:16; John 10:12 ). They were liable to wander over the wide pastures and go astray (Psalm 119:176; Isaiah 53:6; Hosea 4:16; Matthew 18:12 ).

    Goats also formed a part of the pastoral wealth of Palestine (Genesis 15:9; 32:14; 37:31 ). They were used both for sacrifice and for food (Deuteronomy 14:4 ), especially the young males (Genesis 27:9,14,17; Judges 6:19; 13:15; 1 Samuel 16:20 ). Goat's hair was used for making tent cloth (Exodus 26:7; 36:14 ), and for mattresses and bedding (1 Samuel 19:13,16 ). (See GOAT .)

    Copyright StatementThese dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

    Bibliography InformationEaston, Matthew George. Entry for 'Cattle'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/c/cattle.html. 1897.