sheep in scripture

Sheep in ScriptureSheep in ScriptureLaindon Bible Class –

1st September 2010

Laindon Bible Class –

1st September 2010

Sheep in scripture 2

553 appearances in Scripture553 appearances in Scripture• 6629 ‘tson’ appears 274 times meaning flock

or sheep• 3532 ‘kebes’ appears 107 times meaning

male lamb • All 10 Hebrew words appear 483 times• 721 ‘arnion’ appears 30 times meaning

lamb(kin)• 4263 ‘probaton’ appears 39 times meaning

sheep or sheepfold• All 3 Greek words appear 70 times


Our studyOur study• Characteristics of sheep and their

shepherding in Israel• Keepers of sheep in the scriptures• Mixing of sheep and goats• Their role in sacrifices• Sheep as a symbol of God’s people• The Lamb of God• Some lessons for us


Shepherding in IsraelShepherding in Israel


Rams horn (shofar)Rams horn (shofar)


Fat-tailed sheepFat-tailed sheep



• Much more intimate relationship:– shepherd lives with the sheep– he names them individually– the sheep know him and follow him when

he calls them– he leads his sheep to pasture– he cares for them and protects them

against wild animals and robbers


Caring for his sheepCaring for his sheep



John 10:4-5

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.


Keepers of sheepKeepers of sheep

• Abel the first shepherd (Genesis 4:2)• Flocks of sheep represented a

measure of wealth• Shepherd often the youngest of a

family eg David• The birth of Christ revealed to the

shepherds of Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-18)


Mixing of sheep & goatsMixing of sheep & goats


Mixing of sheep & goatsMixing of sheep & goats

• Sheep & goats often under the care of one shepherd

• Differences in caring for sheep & goats

• The comparative uses of sheep & goats


The sacrificial lambThe sacrificial lamb


The sacrificial lambThe sacrificial lamb

• Sheep were the mainstay of ritual sacrifice

• The firstborn male the Lord’s (Exodus 13:15)

• Lamb without spot and blemish


A symbol of God’s peopleA symbol of God’s people

• God as the shepherd (first mentioned Genesis 49:24, Psalm 78:52)

• God’s people as sheep (Psalm 95:7)• We are all shepherds as well as sheep

(Ezekiel 34)• Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-

18)


The Lamb of GodThe Lamb of God

• Our need for redemption (Isaiah 53:6-7)

• “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world [‘kosmos’]” (Revelation 13:8)

• Christ the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11-14)

• The glorified Lamb of God (Revelation 5:6-14)


Lessons for usLessons for us• We must be as sheep following the

bidding of our Lord and Master and submitting to his commands

• We must care for the flock, putting their welfare first

• We must give of the best we have in our service to God

• We must look to the example of the Good Shepherd

sheep in scripture

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