Dictionary Article

One who took complete care of a flock of sheep. His task was to find grass and water for the sheep, to protect them from wild animals (Am 3:12), to look for and restore those that strayed (Ez 34:8; Mt 18:12), to lead the flock out of the fold each day, and to return the flock to the fold at the close of the day (Jn 10:2-4).

Show passage in OET: AMO 3:12

OET-RV AMO 3:12

12 This is what Yahweh says:
⇔ “Just as the shepherd rescues out of the lion’s mouth two legs only, or a piece of an ear,
⇔ ≈ so will the Israelis who live in Shomron (Samaria) be rescued with only the corner of a couch or a piece of a bed.”

OET-LV AMO 3:12

12 Thus YHWH he _says just_as the_shepherd he _delivers from_the _mouth _of (the)_lion two _of legs or a _piece _of an _ear so the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) who_dwell in_Shomrōn with_a _corner _of a _bed and_with_silk a _couch they _will _be _delivered.

Show passage in OET: EZE 34:8

OET-RV EZE 34:8

8 This is the master Yahweh’s declaration: As I live, my flock has become plunder and food for all the wild animals in the countryside, because there wasn’t any shepherd and because none of my shepherds tried to find any of my flock that had gotten lost. Instead it was themselves that the shepherds looked after, and they didn’t shepherd my flock.

OET-LV EZE 34:8

8 By_the _life of _me the _utterance _of my_master YHWH if not because flock _of_my has _become (into)_prey and_ flock _of_my _they _have _become for_food to/from_all/each/any/every (the)_animal _of the_field because_there_is_not a _shepherd and_not shepherds _of_my they _have _searched _for DOM flock _of_my and_ the_shepherds _they _have _shepherded themselves and_DOM flock _of_my not they _have _shepherded.

Show passage in OET: MAT 18:12

OET-RV MAT 18:12

12 “What do you think about this? A man had a hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away. Won’t he leave the ninety-nine there in the hills and go and look for the sheep that was missing?

OET-LV MAT 18:12

12 What is _it _supposing to _you _all?
If it _may _become to_a_certain man a_hundred sheep, and one of them may _be _strayed, not, having _left the ninety nine on the mountains and having _been _gone, is _seeking the sheep being _strayed?

Show passage in OET: JHN 10:2–4

OET-RV JHN 10:2

2 The one that comes in the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

OET-RV JHN 10:3

3 The gatekeeper opens up for him, and when he calls the sheep by name they listen to his voice and he leads them out.

OET-RV JHN 10:4

4 Whenever he moves the sheep, he goes in front and the sheep follow him because they recognise his voice.

OET-LV JHN 10:2

2 But the one coming _in by the door, is shepherd of _the sheep.

OET-LV JHN 10:3

3 To _this one the doorkeeper is _opening _up, and the sheep is _hearing of _the voice of _him, and he _is _calling his own sheep by name, and is _leading_ them _out.

OET-LV JHN 10:4

4 Whenever he _may _send _forth all his own, he _is _going before them, and the sheep is _following after _him, because they _have _known the voice of _him.

Jump to OET AMO 3:12 section.

Jump to OET EZE 34:8 section.

Jump to OET MAT 18:12 section.

Jump to OET JHN 10:2–4 section.

The figure of the shepherd and his sheep is important in the NT. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gives his life for the sheep (Mt 18:10-14; Mk 6:34; Jn 10; Heb 13:20). The analogy of the shepherd and the flock finds rich expression in Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, and John 10. God was the Shepherd of Israel (Gn 49:24; Pss 23:1; 80:1; Is 40:11). When unfaithful shepherds failed Israel, God intervened and appointed his servant David as a faithful shepherd over them (Ez 34:11-16, 23-24 OET EZE 34:11–16 · OET EZE 34:23–24).

Show passage in OET: MAT 18:10–14

OET-RV MAT 18:10

10 “Make sure that you apprentices don’t despise any of these little ones, because I’m telling you that their messengers in the heavens are always in front of my father who’s in the heavens.

OET-RV MAT 18:11

11 ◘

OET-RV MAT 18:12

12 “What do you think about this? A man had a hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away. Won’t he leave the ninety-nine there in the hills and go and look for the sheep that was missing?

OET-RV MAT 18:13

13 And if he happens to find it, I can assure you that he’ll be happier about that one than about the ninety-nine who never strayed away.

OET-RV MAT 18:14

14 In the same way, your father in the heavens doesn’t want even one of these little ones to die.

OET-LV MAT 18:10

10 Be _seeing you _all _may_ not _despise of _one of_ the these _little ones, because/for I _am _saying to _you _all that the messengers of _them in the_heavens, through everything are _seeing the face of _the father of _me, who is in the_heavens.

OET-LV MAT 18:11

OET-LV MAT 18:12

OET-LV MAT 18:13

13 And if he _may _become to _find it, truly, I _am _saying to _you _all that he _is _rejoicing over it more than over the ninety nine which not having _been _strayed.

OET-LV MAT 18:14

14 Thus is not the_will before the father of _you _all, who is in the_heavens, that may _perish one of_ the these _little ones.

Show passage in OET: MRK 6:34

OET-RV MRK 6:34

34 So when Yeshua got out of the boat, he saw a big crowd and felt sorry for them because they seemed like sheep without a shepherd, so he started teaching them many things.

OET-LV MRK 6:34

34 And having _come _out, he _saw a_great crowd and he _was _feeling _compassion to them because they _were as sheep not having a_shepherd, and he _began to _be _teaching them many things.

Show passage in OET: HEB 13:20

OET-RV HEB 13:20

20 Now may the God of peace, the one who brought the wonderful shepherd of the sheep back to life from the dead (by the blood that’s specified in the eternal agreement), our master Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus),

OET-LV HEB 13:20

20 And the god of_ the _peace, the one having _brought _up from the_dead the Shepherd of _the sheep the great, by the_blood of_the_covenant eternal, the master of _us, Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa),

Show passage in OET: PSA 23:1–6

OET-RV PSA 23:1

23 Yahweh is my shepherd
⇔ so I won’t lack anything.

OET-RV PSA 23:2

2 He lies me down in paddocks of fresh grass.
⇔ He leads me beside a peaceful stream.

OET-RV PSA 23:3

3 He refreshes my inner being.
⇔ He guides me along paths of obedience so that he’ll be honoured.

OET-RV PSA 23:4

4 Even when I walk through a valley in deep darkness,
⇔ I won’t be afraid of being harmed.
⇔ Your rod and staff will protect and comfort me.

OET-RV PSA 23:5

5 You prepare a meal for me while my enemies watch.
⇔ You give me olive oil to soothe my head.
⇔ I have so many blessings.

OET-RV PSA 23:6

6 I’m certain that your goodness and your mercy will pursue me for my whole life,
⇔ and then I’ll live in Yahweh’s house forever.

OET-LV PSA 23:1

23 A _song of_Dāvid YHWH is_my _of_shepherd not I _lack.

OET-LV PSA 23:2

2 In_pastures _of fresh _grass he_makes _me _lie _down at waters _of rest(s) he_leads _me.

OET-LV PSA 23:3

3 Self _of_my he _restores he_guides _me in_tracks _of righteousness for _the _sake _of his/its_name.

OET-LV PSA 23:4

4 Also if/because I _will _go in_a _valley _of deep _darkness not I _will _fear harm if/because you with_me rod _of_your and_staff _of_your they they_comfort _me.

OET-LV PSA 23:5

5 You _arrange to/for_my_face/front a _table before foes _of_my you _have _refreshed with_oil my_head cup _of_my is_saturation.

OET-LV PSA 23:6

6 Surely good and_covenant _loyalty they_will _pursue _me all _of the _days _of my _life _of_my and_I _will _return in_house _of YHWH for_length _of days.

Show passage in OET: GEN 49:24

OET-RV GEN 49:24

24 But his bow will stay steady
⇔ ≈ and his arms will be made agile
⇔ by the hands of the mighty one of Ya’akov (Jacob),
⇔ ≈ because of the shepherd who’s Yisrael’s (Israel) rock,

OET-LV GEN 49:24

24 And_it _remained in_permanence bow _of_his and_ the _arms _of his _hands _of_his _they _were _agile from_the _hands _of the _mighty _one _of Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob) from_there the_shepherd the _stone _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

Show passage in OET: PSA 23:1

OET-RV PSA 23:1

23 Yahweh is my shepherd
⇔ so I won’t lack anything.

OET-LV PSA 23:1

23 A _song of_Dāvid YHWH is_my _of_shepherd not I _lack.

Show passage in OET: PSA 80:1

OET-RV PSA 80:1

80 Pay attention, Yisrael’s (Israel) shepherd.
⇔ You who lead Yosef (Joseph) (meaning Yisrael) like a flock;
⇔ You who sit above the winged creatures on the sacred chest, shine on us!

OET-LV PSA 80:2

2  Oh _shepherd _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) give_ear Oh_you _who_lead like_flock Yōşēf/(Joseph) Oh_you _who_sit _of the_cherubim shine_forth.

Show passage in OET: ISA 40:11

OET-RV ISA 40:11

11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd does.
⇔ ≈ He will hold the lambs to his chest.
⇔ He will lead along the ewes who’ve just had lambs.

OET-LV ISA 40:11

11 Like_a _shepherd flock _of_his he _will _shepherd in_arm[s]_of_his he _will _gather lambs and_in_bosom _of_his he _will _carry_them nursing_ewes he _will _lead.

Show passage in OET: EZE 34:11–16; EZE 34:23–24

OET-RV EZE 34:11

11 So the master Yahweh says this: Listen, I myself will search for those lost from my flock, and I myself will look after them,

OET-RV EZE 34:12

12 like a shepherd searches for his sheep when he’s among his scattered flock. So I’ll look for my flock and I’ll rescue them from all the places where they were scattered during the dark times.

OET-RV EZE 34:13

13 I’ll bring my people out from among the nations. I’ll gather them from foreign lands and bring them back to their land. I’ll put them in pastures on Yisrael’s (Israel) mountainsides, by the streams, and in every settlement in the land.

OET-RV EZE 34:14

14 I’ll put them in good pastures—Yisrael’s high mountains will be their grazing places. They’ll lie down there in places good for grazing, in abundant pastures, and they’ll graze on Yisrael’s hills.

OET-RV EZE 34:15

15 I myself will shepherd my flock, and I myself will give them rest. That’s the master Yahweh’s declaration.

OET-RV EZE 34:16

16 I’ll search out the lost and restore the outcast. I’ll bandage up those who are broken and heal those who are sick, but I’ll destroy those who are fat and well. I will shepherd with justice.

OET-RV EZE 34:23

23 I’ll set one shepherd over them—my servant David. He’ll look after them, and he’ll be their shepherd.

OET-RV EZE 34:24

24 Then I, Yahweh, will be their god, and my servant David will be a leader among them. I, Yahweh, have declared that.

OET-LV EZE 34:11

11 If/because thus my_master YHWH he _says HERE_I_am I and_I _will _search _for DOM flock _of_my and_I_will _seek _them.

OET-LV EZE 34:12

12 Like_the_seeking _of a _shepherd flock _of_his in/on_day is_he among_midst _of his/its_flock _of _sheep/goats separated so I _will _seek DOM flock _of_my and_I _will _deliver them from_all the_places where they _were _scattered there in/on_day cloud and_thick _darkness.

OET-LV EZE 34:13

13 And_I_will _bring _them _out from the_peoples and_I_will _gather _them from the_lands and_I_will _bring _them to land _of_their _own and_I_will _shepherd _them to the _mountains _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) in_ravines and_in_all _of the _habitable _places _of the_earth/land.

OET-LV EZE 34:14

14 In_pasture good I _will _shepherd DOM_them and_on_the _mountains _of the _height _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) it _will _be pastureland _of_their there they _will _lie _down in_pastureland good and_pasture fertile they _will _graze to the _mountains _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

OET-LV EZE 34:15

15 I I _will _shepherd flock _of_my and_I I_will _make _them _lie _down the _utterance _of my_master YHWH.

OET-LV EZE 34:16

16 DOM the _lost_sheep I _will _seek and_DOM the _strayed_sheep I _will _bring _back and _(to)_the_sheep I _will _bind _up and_DOM the _sick_sheep I _will _make _strong and_DOM the _fat_sheep and_DOM the _strong_sheep I _will _destroy I_will _shepherd _it with_justice.

OET-LV EZE 34:23

23 And_I _will _raise _up over_them a _shepherd one and_he _will _shepherd them DOM servant _of_my Dāvid he he _will _shepherd DOM_them and_he he _will _become for_them (into)_a_shepherd.

OET-LV EZE 34:24

24 And_I YHWH I _will _become to/for_them (into)_god and_servant _of_my Dāvid will _be_prince among_them I YHWH I _have _spoken.

Jump to OET MAT 18:10–14 section.

Jump to OET MRK 6:34 section.

Jump to OET HEB 13:20 section.

Jump to OET PSA 23:1–6 section.

Jump to OET GEN 49:24 section.

Jump to OET PSA 23:1 section.

Jump to OET PSA 80:1 section.

Jump to OET ISA 40:11 section.

Jump to OET EZE 34:11–16 section. · OET EZE 34:23–24 section.

The NT imagery comes from an OT and Palestinian background. In the Jewish economy, the shepherd who tended a flock of sheep or goats held a responsible position. Great flocks had to be moved from place to place, and it was necessary that they be guarded from wild animals and robbers. Because of the fundamental role of shepherding in the ancient world, the word “shepherd” became a common term for a ruler. The kings of Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt were often referred to as shepherds who protected their people. This imagery formed the background for the OT, where the same usage is found. God is pictured as the shepherd of Israel, concerned for every aspect of his people’s welfare. Rulers and leaders of the people are often referred to as shepherds (Nm 27:17; 1 Kgs 22:17; Jer 10:21; 12:10; 22:22; 23:1-2).

Show passage in OET: NUM 27:17

OET-RV NUM 27:17

17 who will stand in front of them and lead them out and bring them in so they won’t be like sheep without a shepherd.

OET-LV NUM 27:17

17 Who he _will _go _out before_them and_which he _will _come before_them and_which he_will _lead _them _out and_which he_will _bring _them and_not it _will _be the _congregation _of YHWH like_sheep which there_belongs_not to/for_them a _shepherd.

Show passage in OET: KI1 22:17

OET-RV KI1 22:17

17 “Well,” he said, “I saw all Yisrael (Israel) scattered into the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and Yahweh said that they have no leaders so they should all return peacefully to their homes.”

OET-LV KI1 22:17

17 And_he/it _said I _saw DOM all _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) scattered to the_mountains like_flock which there_is_not to/for_them a _shepherd and_ YHWH _he/it _said not masters belong_to_these let _them _return each to_his _own _of_house in_peace.

Show passage in OET: JER 10:21

OET-RV JER 10:21

⇔  21 Yes, the shepherds are stupid and haven’t asked Yahweh for direction
⇔ so therefore they haven’t prospered, and all their flock has been scattered.

OET-LV JER 10:21

21 If/because the_shepherds they _are _stupid and_DOM YHWH not they _have _sought therefore yes/correct/thus/so not they _have _prospered and_all flock _of_their it _has _been _scattered.

Show passage in OET: JER 12:10

OET-RV JER 12:10

10 Many shepherds (foreign rulers) have ruined my vineyard—
⇔ they’ve trampled my area.
⇔ They’ve made my desirable region into a desolate wasteland.

OET-LV JER 12:10

10 Shepherds many they _have _ruined vineyard _of_my they _have _trodden _down DOM portion _of_my they _have _made DOM the _portion _of my _desire _of_my into_a _wilderness _of desolation.

Show passage in OET: JER 22:22

OET-RV JER 22:22

22 The wind will drive away all your ‘shepherds’,
⇔ and your ‘lovers’ will go into captivity.
⇔ Then you’ll be ashamed and humiliated because of all your wickedness.

OET-LV JER 22:22

22 All _of shepherds _of_your a _wind it _will _shepherd and_lovers _of_your in_captivity they _will _go if/because then you _will _be _ashamed and_you _will _be _humiliated from_all wickedness _of_your.

Show passage in OET: JER 23:1–2

OET-RV JER 23:1

23 Yahweh declares that the shepherds who destroy and scatter the flock from my pasture won’t end well.

OET-RV JER 23:2

2 Therefore, this is what Yisrael’s (Israel) god Yahweh says about the shepherds who tend My people: Yahweh declares that you’ve all scattered my flock and driven them away, and haven’t looked after them. Listen, I’m about to punish you all for your wicked actions.

OET-LV JER 23:1

23 Woe _to the_shepherds who_are_causing _to _stray and_who_are_scattering DOM the _flock _of my _pasture _of_my the _utterance _of YHWH.

OET-LV JER 23:2

2 For_so/thus/hence thus YHWH the _god _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) he _says on the_shepherds who_are_shepherding DOM people _of_my you(pl) you(pl)_have _scattered DOM flock _of_my and_you(pl)_have _driven _them _away and_not you(pl)_have _paid _attention _to DOM_them HERE_I am_about _to _visit on_you(pl) DOM the _wickedness _of your(pl)_deeds _of_your(pl) the _utterance _of YHWH.

Jump to OET NUM 27:17 section.

Jump to OET KI1 22:17 section.

Jump to OET JER 10:21 section.

Jump to OET JER 12:10 section.

Jump to OET JER 22:22 section.

Jump to OET JER 23:1–2 section.

By the time of Jeremiah, “shepherd” began to be used as a title for the coming Messiah. God himself would provide for his flock (Jer 23:3; 31:10; Ez 34:11-22) and promised to provide faithful shepherds who showed concern for his people (Jer 3:15; 23:4). He explicitly promised that he would be their God and would set the messianic Son of David as shepherd over them (Ez 34:23-24). In the NT Jesus referred to himself as the promised messianic Shepherd (Mt 10:16; 25:32; Mk 14:27; Jn 10:1-30; cf. Heb 13:20; 1 Pt 2:25). Ephesians 4:11 speaks of leaders of the church as shepherds or pastors, and this usage continued in the early church and down until the present day. Paul said they are special people given to the church by God to care for God’s people as a shepherd does his sheep, leading and teaching them in the ways of God. Peter also spoke of the leaders as shepherds; he encouraged them to remain faithful shepherds until the time that the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, appeared (1 Pt 5:1-4).

Show passage in OET: JER 23:3

OET-RV JER 23:3

3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all the countries that I’ve banished them to and I’ll return them to their pasture, where they’ll be fruitful and multiply.

OET-LV JER 23:3

3 And_I I _will _gather _together DOM the _remnant _of my _flock _of_my from_all the_lands where I _have _banished DOM_them there and_I _will _bring _back them to pasture _of_their and_they _will _be _fruitful and_they _will _increase.

Show passage in OET: JER 31:10

OET-RV JER 31:10

10 Listen to Yahweh’s message, you nations,
⇔ and declare it in the coastlands from far off, and say,
⇔ ‘The one scattering Yisrael will gather him back,
⇔ and he’ll protect him like a shepherd of his flock,

OET-LV JER 31:10

10 Hear the _message _of YHWH Oh _nations and_declare in_islands from_a _distance and_say the_one _who_scattered _of (of)_Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) he_will _gather _it and_he_will _keep _it like_one _who_shepherds flock _of_his.

Show passage in OET: EZE 34:11–22

OET-RV EZE 34:11

11 So the master Yahweh says this: Listen, I myself will search for those lost from my flock, and I myself will look after them,

15 I myself will shepherd my flock, and I myself will give them rest. That’s the master Yahweh’s declaration.

OET-RV EZE 34:16

OET-RV EZE 34:17

17 So now this is what the master Yahweh says, You, my flock, listen, I’ll be a judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and billy goats.

OET-RV EZE 34:18

18 Isn’t it enough to feed on the good pasture? Do you have to trample down any remaining grass? Or drink from clear waters, then muddy the streams with your feet?

OET-RV EZE 34:19

19 Must my flock eat what you’ve trampled and drink what you’ve muddied with your feet?

OET-RV EZE 34:20