by glynch » Thu Oct 03, 2019 3:18 am
Metaphors began to take on the aptitude of the Near eastern civilization and to understand pastoral imagery, modern Bible readers needed to engage themselves in the sight, sound and smell of ancient shepherd life.
Pastoralism was a widely visible and significant sector of all Near eastern societies from the very beginning of human civilization to the pastoral background of the patriarchs and ancient Israelites. Pastoral realities in the Ancient Near East raised small livestock, cattle, goats and sheep numbering in the tens and even hundreds of thousands. Herds of similar size were raised also in Egypt’s Delta regions.
Abraham’s descendants, Isaac, Jacob and the twelve sons of Jacob, were all pastoralists in the land of Canaan. Everywhere in the Promised Land throughout Israel’s history during the exodus, conquest and settlement; they did not leave pastoralism behind. They simply developed a similar economy like most of the Near Eastern states. Israel’s Promised Land frequently known as a land of ‘milk and homey’ was more than a dream of pastoralists than farmers realities but in the region it was referred to as the milk of the flocks and the produce of uncultivated fields.
Having appreciated the numerousness of flocks throughout all the regions of ancient Israel, it is fitting to give attention to the areas most often associated with shepherd culture. To the east and south lies the semi-arid areas which receive less rainfall than required to secure grain production. This is known as the wilderness areas around the Dead Sea which forms the bridge between the fertile areas and the truly desert regions (i.e. place of thirst, fatigue and death; Psalms 63:1-2) but it can also simply the meaning pasturelands. Only the hardiest plants, animals and people can survive in this environment.
A reference to shepherding understands not only of the environment but also the general importance of and familiarity with the animals whiles the sojourned in the wilderness.
All of these elements, the movement, the isolation, the variety, the adjustments and the demands, contributed to a knowledge and ‘skill set’ that distinguished shepherds as remarkably and broadly capable persons in a constant state of negotiation with and unpredictable physical and social environment. Shepherd naturally became an icon of leadership.
Metaphors began to take on the aptitude of the Near eastern civilization and to understand pastoral imagery, modern Bible readers needed to engage themselves in the sight, sound and smell of ancient shepherd life.
Pastoralism was a widely visible and significant sector of all Near eastern societies from the very beginning of human civilization to the pastoral background of the patriarchs and ancient Israelites. Pastoral realities in the Ancient Near East raised small livestock, cattle, goats and sheep numbering in the tens and even hundreds of thousands. Herds of similar size were raised also in Egypt’s Delta regions.
Abraham’s descendants, Isaac, Jacob and the twelve sons of Jacob, were all pastoralists in the land of Canaan. Everywhere in the Promised Land throughout Israel’s history during the exodus, conquest and settlement; they did not leave pastoralism behind. They simply developed a similar economy like most of the Near Eastern states. Israel’s Promised Land frequently known as a land of ‘milk and homey’ was more than a dream of pastoralists than farmers realities but in the region it was referred to as the milk of the flocks and the produce of uncultivated fields.
Having appreciated the numerousness of flocks throughout all the regions of ancient Israel, it is fitting to give attention to the areas most often associated with shepherd culture. To the east and south lies the semi-arid areas which receive less rainfall than required to secure grain production. This is known as the wilderness areas around the Dead Sea which forms the bridge between the fertile areas and the truly desert regions (i.e. place of thirst, fatigue and death; Psalms 63:1-2) but it can also simply the meaning pasturelands. Only the hardiest plants, animals and people can survive in this environment.
A reference to shepherding understands not only of the environment but also the general importance of and familiarity with the animals whiles the sojourned in the wilderness.
All of these elements, the movement, the isolation, the variety, the adjustments and the demands, contributed to a knowledge and ‘skill set’ that distinguished shepherds as remarkably and broadly capable persons in a constant state of negotiation with and unpredictable physical and social environment. Shepherd naturally became an icon of leadership.