Category:Shepherd

Shep"herd, n. Etym: [oe. schepherde, schephirde, as. sceáphyrde; Sceáp sheep + hyrde, hirde, heorde, a herd, a guardian. See sheep, And herd.]

1. A man employed in tending, feeding, and guarding sheep, esp. a Flock grazing at large.

2. The pastor of a church; one with the religious guidance of others. Shepherd bird (zoöl.), the crested screamer. See screamer. -- shepherd dog (zoöl.), a breed of dogs used largely for the Herding and care of sheep. There are several kinds, as the collie, or Scotch shepherd dog, and the english shepherd dog. Called also Shepherd's dog. -- shepherd dog, a name of pan. Keats. -- shepherd kings, the chiefs of a nomadic people who invaded egypt From the east in the traditional period, and conquered it, at least In part. They were expelled after about five hundred years, and Attempts have been made to connect their expulsion with narrative in The book of exodus. -- shepherd's club (bot.), the common mullein. See mullein. -- shepherd's crook, a long staff having the end curved so as to Form a large hook, -- used by shepherds. -- shepherd's needle (bot.), the lady's comb. -- shepherd's plaid, a kind of woolen cloth of a checkered black and White pattern. -- shephered spider (zoöl.), a daddy longlegs, or harvestman. -- shepherd's pouch, or shepherd's purse (bot.), an annual Cruciferous plant (capsella bursapastoris) bearing small white Flowers and pouchlike pods. See illust. of silicle. -- shepherd's rod, or shepherd's staff (bot.), the small teasel.

Shepherd Shep"herd, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shepherded; p. pr. & vb. n. Shepherding.]

Defn: to tend as a shepherd; to guard, herd, lead, or drive, as a Shepherd. [poetic] White, fleecy clouds. . . Shepherded by the slow, unwilling wind. Shelley.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Shepherd - A word naturally of frequent occurrence in Scripture. Sometimes the word "pastor" is used instead (Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 3:15; Jeremiah 10:21; Jeremiah 12:10; Jeremiah 17:16). This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people (Psalms 23:1; Psalms 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 25:34, Jeremiah 25:35; Nahum 3:18; John 10:11, John 10:14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 1 Peter 5:4). The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. "In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Samuel 17:34)." Deane's David.