Meaning
(1.) Neat cattle. Many hundreds of these were yearly consumed in sacrifices or used for food. The finest herds were found in Bashan, beyond Jordan (Num 32:4). Large herds also pastured on the wide fertile plains of Sharon. They were yoked to the plough (1Kings 19:19), and were employed for carrying burdens (1Chr 12:40). They were driven with a pointed rod (Judg 3:31) or goad (q.v.).
According to the Mosaic law, the mouths of cattle employed for the threshing-floor were not to be muzzled, so as to prevent them from eating of the provender over which they trampled (Deut 25:4). Whosoever stole and sold or slaughtered an ox must give five in satisfaction (Ex 22:1); but if it was found alive in the possession of him who stole it, he was required to make double restitution only (22:4). If an ox went astray, whoever found it was required to bring it back to its owner (23:4; Deut 22:1, 4). An ox and an ass could not be yoked together in the plough (Deut 22:10).
(2.) Small cattle. Next to herds of neat cattle, sheep formed the most important of the possessions of the inhabitants of Palestine (Gen 12:16; 13:5; 26:14; 21:27; 29:2, 3). They are frequently mentioned among the booty taken in war (Num 31:32; Josh 6:21; 1Sam 14:32; 15:3). There were many who were owners of large flocks (1Sam 25:2; 2Sam 12:2, comp. Job 1:3). Kings also had shepherds "over their flocks" (1Chr 27:31), from which they derived a large portion of their revenue (2Sam 17:29; 1Chr 12:40). The districts most famous for their flocks of sheep were the plain of Sharon (Isa 65: 10), Mount Carmel (Micah 7:14), Bashan and Gilead (Micah 7:14). In patriarchal times the flocks of sheep were sometimes tended by the daughters of the owners. Thus Rachel, the daughter of Laban, kept her father's sheep (Gen 29:9); as also Zipporah and her six sisters had charge of their father Jethro's flocks (Ex 2:16). Sometimes they were kept by hired shepherds (John 10:12), and sometimes by the sons of the family (1Sam 16:11; 17:15). The keepers so familiarized their sheep with their voices that they knew them, and followed them at their call. Sheep, but more especially rams and lambs, were frequently offered in sacrifice. The shearing of sheep was a great festive occasion (1Sam 25:4; 2Sam 13:23). They were folded at night, and guarded by their keepers against the attacks of the lion (Micah 5:8), the bear (1Sam 17:34), and the wolf (Matt 10:16; John 10:12). They were liable to wander over the wide pastures and go astray (Ps 119:176; Isa 53:6; Hos 4:16; Matt 18:12).
Goats also formed a part of the pastoral wealth of Palestine (Gen 15:9; 32:14; 37:31). They were used both for sacrifice and for food (Deut 14:4), especially the young males (Gen 27:9, 14, 17; Judg 6:19; 13:15; 1Sam 16:20). Goat's hair was used for making tent cloth (Ex 26:7; 36:14), and for mattresses and bedding (1Sam 19:13, 16). (See GOAT)
