Pasturage, in biblical terms, refers to the land or area where flocks and herds graze. It is a significant concept in the Bible, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of the ancient Near East and the pastoral imagery frequently used in Scripture to convey spiritual truths.

Biblical References and Significance

1. Genesis 47:4 · The importance of pasturage is evident when Joseph's brothers appeal to Pharaoh for permission to dwell in the land of Goshen, saying, "We have come to reside here for a time, because there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, since the famine in the land of Canaan is severe." This highlights the necessity of fertile land for the survival of livestock and, by extension, the people.

2. Psalm 23:1-2 · The pastoral imagery is beautifully captured in the well-known Psalm of David: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters." Here, pasturage symbolizes God's provision, care, and the peace found in His presence.

3. Jeremiah 50:19 · The restoration of Israel is depicted with the promise of abundant pasturage: "But I will bring Israel back to his pasture, and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan; his soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead." This passage uses the imagery of rich pastures to convey the blessings and restoration God promises to His people.

4. Ezekiel 34:14 · God, as the Good Shepherd, promises to provide for His flock: "I will feed them in good pasture, and their grazing place will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down in a good grazing land; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel." This reflects God's commitment to the well-being and spiritual nourishment of His people.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Pasturage in the Bible often symbolizes spiritual nourishment and divine care. The imagery of sheep and shepherds is prevalent, with God depicted as the ultimate Shepherd who provides for His flock. This metaphor extends to Jesus Christ, who identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10:11, emphasizing His role in guiding and sustaining His followers.

The concept of pasturage also serves as a reminder of the dependence of God's people on His provision. Just as sheep rely on their shepherd for sustenance and safety, believers are called to trust in God's guidance and provision for their spiritual and physical needs.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, pasturage was a critical component of daily life. The economy was largely agrarian, and the well-being of families and communities depended on the availability of fertile land for grazing. Shepherds played a vital role in managing flocks, ensuring they had access to adequate pasturage, and protecting them from predators.

The biblical landscape, with its varied topography, offered different types of pasturage. The fertile plains and valleys provided lush grazing areas, while the more arid regions required shepherds to lead their flocks to suitable pastures. This dynamic is reflected in the biblical narrative, where the search for and maintenance of good pasturage is a recurring theme.

Conclusion

While the concept of pasturage is rooted in the physical and economic realities of biblical times, its spiritual implications continue to resonate. The imagery of God as the Shepherd and His people as His flock underscores the themes of provision, guidance, and care that are central to the biblical message.Pasturage

See SHEPHERD.

1. (n.) Grazing ground; grass land used for pasturing; pasture.

2. (n.) Grass growing for feed; grazing.

3. (n.) The business of feeding or grazing cattle.

PASTURAGE; PASTURE

pas'-tur-aj, pas'-tur.

See SHEEP TENDING.

3542. nome -- a pasture, a grazing
... a pasture, a grazing. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: nome Phonetic
Spelling: (nom-ay') Short Definition: pasturage, growth Definition: (a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3542.htm - 6k4830. marith -- a pasturing, shepherding, pasturage
... 4829, 4830. marith. 4831 . a pasturing, shepherding, pasturage. Transliteration:
marith Phonetic Spelling: (meer-eeth') Short Definition: pasture. ...
/hebrew/4830.htm - 6k

4829. mireh -- a pasturage, pasture
... 4828, 4829. mireh. 4830 . a pasturage, pasture. Transliteration: mireh
Phonetic Spelling: (meer-eh') Short Definition: pasture. ...
/hebrew/4829.htm - 6k

Chapter xiii
... 6. Naturally, since nomadic life demands ample pasturage, such large flocks
put a heavy drain upon the natural resources along this line. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiii.htm

The First Discovery of America
... A fair land they found it, well wooded, with good pasturage; so that they had already
imported cows, and a bull whose lowings terrified the Esquimaux. ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/the first discovery of america.htm

The First Discovery of America.
... A fair land they found it, well wooded, with good pasturage; so that they had already
imported cows, and a bull whose lowings terrified the Esquimaux. ...
/.../lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture iii the first discovery.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... quarrelled with the servants of Abram, and Abram with great disinterestedness gave
his younger and far inferior relative the choice of pasturage, and gave up ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... It needed some special event, such as a projected migration in search of fresh
pasturage, or an expedition against a turbulent neighbour, or a threatened ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Demonstration x. --Of Pastors.
... He destroyed kings and subdued the land, and gave them the land as a place of pasturage,
and divided the resting-places and the sheepfolds to his sheep. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration x of pastors.htm

In the Bitter Cold of Winter the Trees Stand Bare of Leaves...
... It is possible for sheep to wander away from the fold and the shepherd, and find
in the jungle good pasturage, but they are all the time in danger of being ...
//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section ii 1 in the.htm

From Kadesh to the Death of Moses.
... went from place to place, not of course marching continuously each day, but changing
their location as often at least as the requirements of pasturage demanded ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vii from kadesh to.htm

Wesleyan Mission Commenced at Goobbe.
... there were patches of varied cultivation, interspersed with clumps of trees, as
well as large tracts of uncultivated land, used as common pasturage for all the ...
/.../hodson/old daniel/chapter thirteen wesleyan mission commenced.htm

The Lost Sheep.
... word, "the wilderness." The term is obviously used not in a strict but in a free
popular sense; it means simply the region of pasturage, consisting generally ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xxii the lost sheep.htm

Pasturage
... 3. (n.) The business of feeding or grazing cattle. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
PASTURAGE; PASTURE. pas'-tur-aj, pas'-tur. See SHEEP TENDING. ...
/p/pasturage.htm - 6k

Desert (322 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews midbar, "pasture-ground;" an open
tract for pasturage; a common (Joel 2:22). The "backside ...
/d/desert.htm - 46k

Levitical (19 Occurrences)
... Provisions. 1. Numbers: Numbers 35:1-8 provides that 48 cities should be
given to the Levites, each surrounded by a pasturage. The ...
/l/levitical.htm - 20k

Pasture (120 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Grass land for cattle, horses, etc.; pasturage. 4. (vt) To feed, esp. ... Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PASTURAGE; PASTURE. pas'-tur-aj, pas'-tur. ...
/p/pasture.htm - 33k

Pastors (8 Occurrences)

/p/pastors.htm - 8k

Upland (4 Occurrences)
... of towns. 3. (a.) of or pertaining to uplands; being on upland; high in
situation; as, upland inhabitants; upland pasturage. 4. (a ...
/u/upland.htm - 8k

Gaulonitis
... It is entirely volcanic, and there are many cone-like peaks of extinct volcanoes,
especially toward the North It affords good pasturage, and has long been a ...
/g/gaulonitis.htm - 9k

Golan (4 Occurrences)
... It is entirely volcanic, and there are many cone-like peaks of extinct volcanoes,
especially toward the North It affords good pasturage, and has long been a ...
/g/golan.htm - 11k

Elijah (104 Occurrences)
... Galatians 1:17, 18) Elijah met Obadiah, one of Ahab's officers, whom he had sent
out to seek for pasturage for the cattle, and bade him go and tell his master ...
/e/elijah.htm - 71k

Mowing (1 Occurrence)
... (Hebrews gez), rendered in Psalm 72:6 "mown grass." The expression "king's mowings"
(Amos 7:1) refers to some royal right of early pasturage, the first crop of ...
/m/mowing.htm - 8k

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