Pasturing, in the biblical context, refers to the act of tending, feeding, and caring for flocks, primarily sheep and goats, which were central to the agrarian lifestyle of ancient Israel. This practice is deeply embedded in the cultural, economic, and spiritual life of the people in the Bible, serving as a powerful metaphor for leadership, guidance, and divine care.

Biblical Context and Significance

Pasturing is first introduced in the early chapters of Genesis, where Abel is described as a "keeper of sheep" (Genesis 4:2). This early reference sets the stage for the pastoral lifestyle that would become a hallmark of the patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were all shepherds by trade. The pastoral life required a deep understanding of the land, seasons, and the needs of the flock, reflecting a life of diligence and responsibility.

Shepherds as Leaders

In the Bible, shepherds are often depicted as leaders and protectors of their flocks, a role that extends metaphorically to human leadership. King David, one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, was a shepherd before he became king. His experience as a shepherd is seen as preparation for his role as the shepherd of Israel. In 1 Samuel 17:34-35 , David recounts his experience protecting his sheep from lions and bears, illustrating the courage and dedication required of a shepherd.

The imagery of shepherding is also used to describe the relationship between God and His people. Psalm 23, one of the most beloved passages in the Bible, begins with the words, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). This psalm portrays God as the ultimate shepherd who provides, guides, and protects His flock.

Prophetic and Messianic Imagery

The prophets frequently used the imagery of shepherds to convey messages of judgment and hope. In Ezekiel 34, God condemns the leaders of Israel for failing to shepherd His people properly, promising instead to be their shepherd and to send a faithful shepherd from the line of David. This prophecy is seen as a foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ, who identifies Himself as the "good shepherd" in John 10:11 , saying, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."

Pasturing in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the role of shepherding is extended to the leaders of the early church. The Apostle Peter exhorts the elders to "shepherd the flock of God that is among you" (1 Peter 5:2), emphasizing the pastoral responsibility of church leaders to care for and guide their congregations.

The pastoral metaphor continues to be a powerful image in Christian theology, symbolizing the care, guidance, and sacrificial love that leaders are called to emulate. The image of Christ as the Good Shepherd remains central to Christian understanding, embodying the ultimate example of leadership and care.

Conclusion

Pasturing, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the practical aspects of tending livestock and the spiritual dimensions of leadership and divine care. Through the imagery of shepherds and flocks, the Bible communicates profound truths about God's relationship with His people and the responsibilities of those called to lead.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Pasture.4830. 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

7462a. raah -- to pasture, tend, graze
... 16), feeding (4), feeds (4), graze (7), grazed (2), grazing (1), herdsmen (6), keeper
(1), pasture (12), pastured (2), pastures (2), pasturing (5), rulers (1 ...
/hebrew/7462a.htm - 6k

4916a. mishlach -- outstretching
... Word Origin from shalach Definition outstretching NASB Word Usage place for pasturing
(1), put (1), undertake* (2), undertakings* (3). 4916, 4916a. ...
/hebrew/4916a.htm - 5k

What Lasts, and what Passes Away.
... scattered through the confusion of tongues, and go over all the world colonising,
cutting down trees, planting corn, hunting wild beasts, pasturing cattle, and ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lxii what lasts and what.htm

Joseph Sold as a Slave by his Brothers
... the field, and the man asked him, "What are you looking for?" He said, "I am looking
for my brothers; tell me, I beg of you, where they are pasturing the flock ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/joseph sold as a slave.htm

The Death of Moses.
... Goats bounded on the rocks,. And white and dark, on slope and plain,. Roam'd pasturing
herds and flocks. But all the soil with blood was stain'd,. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn xlix the death of.htm

Chapter xxix
... Then they roll the stone from the mouth of the well, and then we water the sheep.
At that time there were still hours left for pasturing. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxix.htm

John ix. 34-36
... [4.] Wherefore, I beseech you, let us remain pasturing beneath this Shepherd; and
we shall remain, if we obey Him, if we hear His voice, if we follow not a ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lix john ix 34-36.htm

King Herod's Enrollment
... night. In Asia Minor, at least, the pasturing of the flocks by night takes
place only during the hot season and not in the winter. ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 9 king herods enrollment.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... The bulk of the people devoted themselves to the pasturing and rearing of cattle,
and, during the better part of the year, preferred to live in tents, unless ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Chronology of the Life of Christ.
... The time of pasturing in Palestine (which has but two seasons, the dry and the wet,
or summer and winter) begins, according to the Talmudists, in March, and ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 16 chronology of the.htm

The First Book
... history. Moses pasturing his sheep in the desert saw a bush burning, heard
God from the midst of the bush and received his commands. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

In Judaea
... the flocks being kept all night "in the field." For, in the first place, these were
flocks on their way to Jerusalem, and not regularly pasturing in the open ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

Pasturing (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Pasture. Multi-Version
Concordance Pasturing (7 Occurrences). Jude 1:12 These are ...
/p/pasturing.htm - 8k

Patara (1 Occurrence)

/p/patara.htm - 9k

Pastures (25 Occurrences)

/p/pastures.htm - 14k

Uz (8 Occurrences)
... The land of Uz was, no doubt, the pasturing-ground inhabited by one of the tribes
of that name, if indeed there be more than one tribe intended. ...
/u/uz.htm - 14k

Wilderness (304 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews midhbar, denoting not a barren desert but
a district or region suitable for pasturing sheep and cattle (Psalm 65:12 ...
/w/wilderness.htm - 43k

Feasting (39 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:12 These are spots in your love-feasts, feasting together with you without
fear, pasturing themselves; clouds without water, carried along by the winds ...
/f/feasting.htm - 19k

Pasturage
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Grazing ground; grass land used for pasturing;
pasture. 2. (n.) Grass growing for feed; grazing. ...
/p/pasturage.htm - 6k

Autumnal (1 Occurrence)
... Jude 1:12 These are spots in your love-feasts, feasting together with you without
fear, pasturing themselves; clouds without water, carried along by the winds ...
/a/autumnal.htm - 6k

Sharon (9 Occurrences)
... the luxuriant oak forests. As in ancient times, great breadths are given
up to the pasturing of cattle. Over David's herds that ...
/s/sharon.htm - 13k

Desert (322 Occurrences)
... word for "desert," more often rendered "wilderness," is perhaps from the root dabhar,
in the sense of "to drive," ie a place for driving or pasturing flocks. ...
/d/desert.htm - 46k

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Pasturing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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