Psalms 78:70 — Word Study
WLCוַ֭יִּבְחַר בְּדָוִ֣ד עַבְדּ֑וֹ וַ֝יִּקָּחֵ֗הוּ מִֽמִּכְלְאֹ֥ת צֹֽאן׃
BSAHe chosebâchar▸ [selected, appointed] DavidDâvid [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] His servantʻebed [slave, bondservant, one who serves] and took himlâqach▸ [removed, brought away] from the sheepfoldsmiklâʼâh [flocks, pastures, enclosures for sheep]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַ֭יִּבְחַר | and he chose | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בְּדָוִ֣ד | David | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| עַבְדּ֑וֹ | servant his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וַ֝יִּקָּחֵ֗הוּ | and he took him | Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| מִֽמִּכְלְאֹ֥ת | from [the] folds of | Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct |
| צֹֽאן׃ | sheep | Noun common, both singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; |
| KJV | He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: |
| ASV | He chose David also his servant, And took him from the sheepfolds: |
| YLT | And He fixeth on David His servant, And taketh him from the folds of a flock, |
| WEB | He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; |
| BBE | He took David to be his servant, taking him from the place of the flocks; |
Where they part company is בָּחַר — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause with a prepositional phrase that provides additional context about David's origins.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
verbבָּחַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 78:70
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Selection of Leadersgenerated
Psalm 78:70 reflects on God's choice of David as a leader for His people, emphasizing His sovereignty in selecting individuals for significant roles. This verse is set within a larger narrative that recounts God's faithfulness and guidance throughout Israel's history, illustrating how He appointed David from humble beginnings to shepherd His people, as seen in the following verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 89:19–20 | You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 16:11–12 | And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 3:18 | Now take action, because the LORD has said to David, ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and of all their enemies.’” |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 6:21 | But David said to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD, |
| 5 | Acts 13:22 | After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’ |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בָּחַר, Vai.yiv.chargenerated
The verb בָּחַר (bachar) means to choose or select, indicating a deliberate decision made by God. This choice is not random; it involves examination and preference, highlighting both divine and human agency in selection processes.
In this verse, God actively chooses David, signaling His authority and intention. The parsing as a Qal verb in the sequential imperfect form indicates an ongoing action, showing that God's choice of David is part of a larger narrative of His guidance and providence.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is יִּבְחַר (he chose), which governs the action of selecting David. The structure follows a straightforward sequence, with the object of the choice (David) and a description of his background (from the sheepfolds) following the verb.
The sentence is constructed with a clear subject-verb-object order, emphasizing God's active role in choosing David and providing context for David's humble origins as a shepherd.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates בָּחַר as ἐχελέχατο (echelekhato), which means 'he chose' or 'he selected'. This choice reflects a direct connection to the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing God's intentional selection of David.
This translation aligns closely with the Hebrew, preserving the meaning of divine choice while adapting it to the Greek language and its audience.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 78:70 tells us that God chose David to be His servant, taking him from his humble beginnings as a shepherd. This choice shows God's authority and intention in selecting leaders for His people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
God's choice of David signifies His sovereign authority in selecting leaders, showing that He can elevate individuals from humble backgrounds to significant roles.
David's experience as a shepherd highlights qualities such as care and guidance, which are essential for leading God's people effectively.
The term 'servant' indicates David's role as one who serves God and His people, emphasizing humility and dedication in leadership.
This verse is part of a larger narrative that recounts God's faithfulness in guiding Israel, illustrating how He chooses leaders to fulfill His purposes.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I recognize God's hand in my own life choices?
- How can I demonstrate servant leadership in my community?
- What qualities do I see in David that are important for a leader today?
- How does understanding God's choice of David impact my view of leadership?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers often referenced this verse to discuss God's choice of leaders. Here, Augustine of Hippo quotes it to emphasize God's sovereign action in selecting David.
Lastly there follows, "and He built like as of unicorns His sanctification" [Psalms 78:70]: or, as some interpreters have made thereof a new word,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 78 →
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 78:70 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe chose David also his servant,.... To be king of Israel, the youngest of his father's family, when he rejected all the rest; see 1 Samuel 16:6, an eminent type of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is
Read John Gill on Psalms 78 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 78 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 78:70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:Ver. 70. He chose David also] God chooseth not as man doth, 1 Corinthians 1:26, yet Alexander the Great advanced Abdolominus, a poor gardener, to be king in Sidon. And took him from the sheepfolds] The art of feeding cattle and the art of ruling men are sisters, saith Basil.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 78 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 70. He chose David] See the account, Clarke, "1 Samuel 16:11", &c.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 78 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe chose David also his servant - He chose him that he might set him over his people as their king.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 78 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;
He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
He chose David, his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds.
Tyndale line
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
He chose David also his servant, And took him from the sheepfolds:
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheep-folds:
He chose Dauid also his seruant, and tooke him from the shepefolds.
Strictly literal
And he chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
And He fixeth on David His servant, And taketh him from the folds of a flock,
And He fixes on His servant David, || And takes him from the folds of a flock,
And he made choice of David his servant, and took him from the sheep-folds:
He chose David, his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds.
Simplified
He chose his servant David, taking him from the sheep pens,
He took David to be his servant, taking him from the place of the flocks;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all six words matched in the translation. This alignment indicates a consistent understanding of the text across these ancient witnesses.
וַ֭יִּבְחַר בְּדָוִ֣ד עַבְדּ֑וֹ וַ֝יִּקָּחֵ֗הוּ מִֽמִּכְלְאֹ֥ת צֹֽאן׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 78:70
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
בָּחַר (bachar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to choose or select. It encompasses actions like examining and trying, indicating both divine and human choices. The word can appear in various forms, such as being chosen or selected. It is used in contexts of making decisions, often with specific prepositions indicating the nature of the choice.
בָּחַר vb. choose
Qal
with בְּ,
divine choice
man’s choice
with אֲשֶׁר:
divine choice
man’s choice
with acc. & לְ, choose some one or something for
with acc. and מִן, choose, select from
acc.
divine choice
man’s choice
with עַל, for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction
with לְ of acc. chosen
test, try
Niph. to be chosen
Pu. chosen, selected
base
H977 בָּחַר examine, try .. examine, scrutinize, try
. prove, test, try
. to be tried, proved
. the trial has been made
977 bachar baw-khar'
a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication)
select:--acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent,
join, be rather, require.
בָּחַר (ba.char) — to choose.
1) to choose, elect, decide for
1a) (Qal) to choose
1b) (Niphal) to be chosen
1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
דָּוִד (David) refers to the second king of Israel, known as the youngest son of Jesse. The name means 'beloved' and is associated with a significant lineage, including many siblings and notable descendants like Solomon. The entries highlight his familial connections and historical context, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
דָּוִד, דָּוִיד 1066 n.pr.m. David
base
H1732 דָּוִד, דָּוִיד David
1732 David daw-veed'
rarely (fully); Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730;
loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse:--David.
see HEBREW for 01730
דָּוִד (da.vid) — David.
A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17;
son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I);
brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339);
father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
da'-vid (dawidh, or dawidh, "beloved"; Daueid, also in New Testament, Dauid, Dabid; see Thayer's Lexicon):
I. NAME AND GENEALOGY
II. EARLY YEARS
1. Shepherd
2. Slinger
3. Harpist
4. Poet
5. Psalmist
6. Tribesman
III. IN THE SERVICE OF SAUL
1. David First Meets Saul
2. His First Exploit
3. Envy of Saul and Flight of David
4. Jonathan and David
IV. DAVID IN EXILE
1. David as Outlaw
2. David Joins the Philistines
V. DAVID AS KING
1. Civil War
2. Conquests Abroad
3. Political Situation
4. The Ark
VI. DOMESTIC LIFE
1. His Wives and Children
2. Domestic Troubles
VII. HIS OFFICIALS
1. Prophets
2. Priests
3. Military Officers
4. Other Officials
5. Mutual Rivalry
VIII. PERSONAL CHARACTER OF DAVID
1. Chronicles
2. Psalms
3. Complex Character
4. Physical Courage
5. Moral Courage
6. Prudence
7. Strategy
8. Nobility
9. David in Relation to His Family
10. David in Relation to His Friends
11. His Success
12. His Foreign Friends
13. Nemesis
David
Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal appearance, we only know that he was red-haired, with beautiful eyes and a fair face (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42).
His early occupation was that of tending his father’s sheep on the uplands of Judah. From what we know of his after history, doubtless he frequently beguiled his time, when thus engaged, with his shepherd’s flute, while he drank in the many lessons taught him by the varied scenes spread around him. His first recorded exploits were his encounters with the wild beasts of the field. He mentions that with his own unaided hand he slew a lion and also a…
(well-beloved), the son of Jesse. His life may be divided into three portions: His youth before his introduction to the court of Saul; His relations with Saul; His reign. The early life of David contains in many important respects the antecedents of his future career. It appears that David was the youngest son, probably the youngest child, of a family of ten, and was born in Bethlehem B.C. 1085. The first time that David appears in history at once admits us to the whole family circle. The annual sacrificial feast is being held when Samuel appears, sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as they pass before him, (1 Samuel 16:6-10) Samuel sends for the youngest, David, who was "keeping the sheep," and anoints him. (1 Samuel 16:11-13) As David stood before Samuel we are enabled to…
Beloved, the youngest son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, born in Bethlehem B. C. 1085; one of the most remarkable men in either sacred of secular history. His life is fully recorded in 1Sa 16:1 1Ki 2:46. He was "the Lord’s anointed," chosen by God to be king of Israel instead of Saul, and consecrated to that office by the venerable prophet Samuel long before he actually came to the throne, 1Sa 16:1-13, for which God prepared him by the gift of his Spirit, and a long course of vicissitudes and dangers. In his early pastoral life he distinguished himself by his boldness, fidelity, and faith in God; and while yet a youth was summoned to court, as one expert in music, valiant, prudent in behavior, and comely in person. He…
The Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'slave' or 'servant' and encompasses various roles, including household servants, subjects, and worshippers of God. It can also refer to Israel as a collective servant of God and is used in polite address among equals. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to work' or 'to serve'.
עֶ֫בֶד 799 n.m. slave, servant
slave, servant of household
Subjects, of chief
Servants, worshippers of God
Servant of י׳, in a special sense
Israel as a people is servant of י׳
In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I
Phrases
base
H5650 עֶ֫בֶד slave, servant . slave, servant of household
. Subjects, of chief
. Servants, worshippers of God
. Servant of י׳, in a special sense
. Israel as a people is servant of י׳
. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I
. Phrases
5650 `ebed eh'-bed
from 5647; a servant:--X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant,
(man-)servant.
see HEBREW for 05647
עֶ֫בֶד (e.ved) — servant/slave.
1) slave, servant
1a) slave, servant, man-servant
1b) subjects
1c) servants, worshippers (of God)
1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)
1e) servant (of Israel)
1f) servant (as form of address between equals)
Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word לָקַח (*laqach*) means 'to take' and encompasses a wide range of actions, including to receive, seize, capture, and carry away. It can refer to taking something in hand, taking a wife, or even taking vengeance. The verb has various forms indicating different nuances, such as being taken away or captured.
לָקַח 965 vb. take
Qal
take, take in hand
take and carry along with oneself
take from, or out of
take, carry away
take away from, so as to deprive of
esp. take away life
take to or for a person
take up, upon = put upon
= fetch
take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
take = capture, seize
take = carry off
in phr. take vengeance
Niph.
be captured, of ark
be taken away, removed
be taken, brought unto
Pu.
be taken from, out of
= be stolen from
be taken captive
be taken away, removed
Hoph.
be taken, brought unto
be taken out of
be taken away from
Hithp. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
base
H3947 לָקַח take .. take, take in hand
. take and carry along with oneself
. . take from, or out of
. take, carry away
. take away from, so as to deprive of
. esp. take away life
. take to or for a person
. take up, upon = put upon
. = fetch
. take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
. take = capture, seize
. take = carry off
. in phr. take vengeance
. . be captured, of ark
. be taken away, removed
. be taken, brought unto
. . be taken from, out of
. = be stolen from
. be taken captive
. be taken away, removed
. . be taken, brought unto
. be taken out of
. be taken away from
. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
3947 laqach law-kakh'
a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of
applications):--accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch,
get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve,
seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
לָקַח (la.qach) — to take: take.
: take
1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take, take in the hand
1a2) to take and carry along
1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away
1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept
1a5) to take up or upon, put upon
1a6) to fetch
1a7) to take, lead, conduct
1a8) to take, capture, seize
1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be captured
1b2) to be taken away, be removed
1b3) to be taken, brought unto
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be taken from or out of
1c2) to be stolen from
1c3) to be taken captive
1c4) to be taken away, be removed
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto
1d2) to be taken out of
1d3) to be taken away
1e) (Hithpael)
1e1) to take hold of oneself
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vqw3ms/Sp3ms
מִכְלָה (mikla'ah) refers to an enclosure or fold, specifically for flocks. It appears in contexts related to sheep and goats, such as in Habakkuk 3:17 and Psalms 78:70. The word is derived from a root meaning to pen or enclose, indicating its function as a protective space for animals.
מִכְלָה (incorrect for מכלא) n.[m.] enclosure, fold;—גָּזַר מִמּ׳ צֹאן Hb 3:17; pl. cstr. לקח מִֽמִּכְלְאֹת צֹֽאן ψ 78:70 (obj. David); pl. sf. לקה מִ֝מִּכְלְאֹתֶ֗יךָ 50:9 (obj. he-goats).—II. מִכְלָה v. sub כלה.
done
H4356 מִכְלָה, מִכְלָאָה
4356 mikla'ah mik-law-aw'
or miklah {mik-law'}; from 3607; a pen (for
flocks):--((sheep-))fold. Compare 4357.
see HEBREW for 03607
see HEBREW for 04357
מִכְלָה (mikh.la.ah) — fold.
fold, enclosure
Prep | N-cp — Preposition · noun common feminine plural constructHR/Ncfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
צֹאן (tso'n) refers to small cattle, specifically sheep and goats, and is used to denote a flock or flocks. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a multitude. The term appears in contexts such as Psalm 144:13, where it emphasizes the collective nature of these animals.
צֹאן 273 n.coll.f. small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
base
H6629 צֹאן small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
6629 tso'n tsone
or tsaown (Psalm 144:13) {tseh-one'}; from an unused root
meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or
goats); also figuratively (of men):--(small) cattle, flock
(+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep((-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds)).
צֹאן (tson) — flock.
1) small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
1a) small cattle (usually of sheep and goats)
1b) of multitude (simile)
1c) of multitude (metaphor)
צֹאן (tson) — Sheep (Gate).
This name means sheep and goats
Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
HNcbsa — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
shep:
1. Names:
The usual Hebrew word is tso'n, which is often translated "flock," e.g. "Abel .... brought of the firstlings of his flock" (Ge 4:4); "butter of the herd, and milk of the flock" (De 32:14). The King James Version and the English Revised Version have "milk of sheep." Compare Arabic da'n. The Greek word is probaton. For other names, see notes under CATTLE; EWE; LAMB; RAM.
2. Zoology:
The origin of domestic sheep is unknown. There are 11 wild species, the majority of which are found in Asia, and it is conceivable that they may have spread from the highlands of Central Asia to the other portions of their habitat. In North America is found the "bighorn," which is very closely related to a Kamschatkan species. One species, the urial or sha, is found in India. The Barbary…
Sheep
Are of different varieties. Probably the flocks of Abraham and Isaac were of the wild species found still in the mountain regions of Persia and Kurdistan. After the Exodus, and as a result of intercourse with surrounding nations, other species were no doubt introduced into the herds of the people of Israel. They are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The care of a shepherd over his flock is referred to as illustrating God’s care over his people (Ps. 23:1, 2; 74:1; 77:20; Isa. 40:11; 53:6; John 10:1-5, 7-16).
“The sheep of Palestine are longer in the head than ours, and have tails from 5 inches broad at the narrowest part to 15 inches at the widest, the weight being in proportion, and ranging generally from 10 to 14 lbs.…
Sheep were an important part of the possessions of the ancient Hebrews and of eastern nations generally. The first mention of sheep occurs in (Genesis 4:2) They were used in the sacrificial offering,as, both the adult animal, (Exodus 20:24) and the lamb. See (Exodus 29:28; Leviticus 9:3; 12:6) Sheep and lambs formed an important article of food. (1 Samuel 25:18) The wool was used as clothing. (Leviticus 13:47) "Rams skins dyed red" were used as a covering for the tabernacle. (Exodus 25:5) Sheep and lambs were…
Of the Syrian sheep, according to Dr. Russell, there are two varieties; the one called Bedaween sheep, which differ in no respect from the larger kinds of sheep among us, except that their tails are somewhat longer and thicker; the others are those often mentioned by travellers on account of their extraordinary tails; and this species is by far the most numerous. The tail of one of these animals is very broad and large, terminating in a small appendage that turns back upon it. It is of a substance between fat and marrow, and is not eaten separately, but mixed with the lean meat in many of their dishes, and also often used instead of butter. A common sheep of this sort, without the head, feet, skin, and entrails, weighs from sixty to eighty pounds, of which the tail itself is usually ten or fifteen pounds, and when the animal is fattened, twice or thrice that weight, and very…