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Herd

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• Ox, Oxen, Herd, Cattle
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• ܒ݁ܰܩܪܳܐ
• ἀγέλη
• אֶלֶף
• בְּהֵמָה
• בָּקָר
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(prop. בָּקָר, of neat cattle; עֵדֶר, a flock of smaller animals; מַקְנֵה, as property; ἀηρλη, a drove). The herd was greatly regarded both in the patriarchal and Mosaic period. Its multiplying was considered as a blessing, and its decrease as a curse (Genesis 13:2; Deuteronomy 7:14; Deuteronomy 28:4; Psalms 107:38; Psalms 144:14; Jeremiah 51:23). The ox was the most precious stock next to horse and mule, and (since those were rare) the thing of greatest value which was commonly possessed (1 Kings 18:5). Hence we see the force of Saul's threat (1 Samuel 11:7). The herd yielded the most esteemed sacrifice (Numbers 7:3; Psalms 69:31; Isaiah 66:3); also flesh-meat and milk, chiefly converted, probably, into butter and cheese (Deuteronomy 32:14; 2 Samuel 10:1 to 2 Samuel 12:29), which such milk yields more copiously than that of small cattle (Arist. Hist. Anim. 3, 20). The full-grown ox is hardly ever slaughtered in Syria; but, both for sacrificial and convivial purposes, the young animal was preferred (Exodus 29:1) — perhaps three years might be the age up to which it was so regarded (Genesis 15:9) — and is spoken of as a special dainty (Genesis 17:8; Amos 6:4; Luke 15:23). The case of Gideon's sacrifice was one of exigency (Judges 6:25), and exceptional. So that of the people (1 Samuel 14:32) was an act of wanton excess. The agricultural and general usefulness of the ox in ploughing threshing and as a beast of burden (1 Chronicles 12:40; Isaiah 46:9, — made such a slaughtering seem wasteful; nor, owing to difficulties of grazing, fattening, etc., is beef the product of an Eastern climate. The animal was broken to service probably in his third year (Isaiah 15:5; Jeremiah 48:34; comp. Pliny, HI. N. 8, 70, ed. Par.). In the moist season, when grass abounded in the waste lands, especially in the "south" region, herds grazed there; e.g. in Carmel, on the west side of the Dead Sea (1 Samuel 25:2; 2 Chronicles 26:10). Dothan also, Mishor, and Sharon (Genesis 37:17; comp. Robinson, 3:122; Stanley, S. and Pal. p. 247, 260, 484; 1 Chronicles 27:29; Isaiah 65:10) were favorite pastures. For such purposes Uzziah built towers in the wilderness (2 Chronicles 26:19). Not only grass, but foliage, is acceptable to the ox, and the- woods and hills of Bashan and Gilead afforded both abundantly; on such upland (Psalms 1, 10; Psalms 65:12) pastures cattle might graze, as also, of course, by river sides, when driven by the heat from the regions of the "wilderness." Especially was the eastern table-land (Ezekiel 39:18; Numbers 32:4) "a place for cattle," and the pastoral tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh, who settled there, retained something of the nomadic character and handed down some image of the patriarchal life (Stanley, S. and Pal. p. 324, 325). — Herdsmen in Egypt were a low, perhaps the lowest, caste; hence, as Joseph's kindred, through his position, were brought into contact with the highest castes, they are described as "an abomination;" but of the abundance of cattle in Egypt, and of the care there bestowed on them, there is no doubt (Genesis 47:6; Genesis 47:17; Exodus 9:4; Exodus 9:20). Brands were used to distinguish the owners' herds (Wilkinson, 3:8, 195; 4:125-131). So the plague of hail was sent to smite especially the cattle (Psalms 78:48), the firstborn of which also were smitten (Exodus 12:29). The Israelites departing stipulated for (Exodus 10:26) and took "much cattle" with them (Exodus 12:38). (See EXODE). Cattle formed thus one of the traditions of the Israelitish nation in its greatest period, and became almost a part of that greatness. They are the subject of providential care and legislative ordinance (Exodus 20:10; Exodus 21:28; Exodus 34:19; Leviticus 19:19; Leviticus 25:7; Deuteronomy 11:15; Deuteronomy 22:1; Deuteronomy 22:4; Deuteronomy 22:10; Deuteronomy 25:4; Psalms 104:14; Isaiah 30:23; Jonah 4:11), and even the Levites, though not holding land, were allowed cattle (Numbers 35:2-3).

When pasture failed, a mixture of various grains (called, Job 6:5, בְּלַיל, rendered "fodder" in the A.V., and, Isaiah 30:24, "provender;" compare the Roman farrago and ocymum, Pliny, 18:10 and 42) was used, as also תֶּבֶן, "chopped straw" (Genesis 24:25; Isaiah 11:7; Isaiah 65:25), which was torn in pieces by the threshing-machine, and used probably for feeding in stalls. These last formed an important adjunct to cattle keeping, being indispensable for shelter at certain seasons (Exodus 9:6; Exodus 9:19). The herd, after its harvest duty was done, which probably caused it to be in high condition, was especially worth caring for; at the same time, most open pastures would have failed because of the heat. It was then probably stalled, and would continue so until vegetation returned. Hence the failure of "the herd" from "the stalls" is mentioned as a feature of scarcity (Habakkuk 3:17). "Calves of the stall" (Malachi 4:2; Proverbs 15:17) are the objects of watchful care. The Reubenites, etc., bestowed their cattle "in cities" when they passed the Jordan to share the toils of conquest (Deuteronomy 3:19), i.e. probably in some pastures closely adjoining, like the "suburbs" appointed for the cattle of the Levites (Numbers 35:2-3; Joshua 21:2). Cattle were ordinarily allowed as a prey in war to the captor (Deuteronomy 20:14; Joshua 8:2), and the case of Amalek is exceptional, probably to mark the extreme curse to which that people was devoted (Exodus 17:14; 1 Samuel 15:3). The occupation of herdsman was honorable in early times (Genesis 47:6; 1 Samuel 11:5; 1 Chronicles 27:29; 1 Chronicles 28:1). Saul himself resumed it in the interval of his cares as king; also Doeg was certainly high in his confidence (1 Samuel 21:7). Pharaoh made some of Joseph's brethren "rulers over his cattle." David's herd-masters were among his chief officers of state. In Solomon's time the relative importance of the pursuit declined as commerce grew, but it was still extensive (Ecclesiastes 2:7; 1 Kings 4:23). It must have greatly suffered from the inroads of the enemies to which the country under the later kings of Judah and Israel was exposed. Uzziah, however (2 Chronicles 26:10), and Hezekiah (32:28, 29), resuming command of the open country, revived it. Josiah also seems to have been rich in herds (35:7-9). The prophet Amos at first followed this occupation (Amos 1:1; Amos 7:14). A goad was used (Judges 3:31; 1 Samuel 13:21, מִלְמָד, דָּרְבָן ), being, as mostly, a staff armed with a spike. For the word Herd as applied to swine, (See SWINE). On the general subject, Ugolini, 39: De Re Rust. vett. Hebr. c. 2, will be found nearly exhaustive. (See CATTLE).