The Meaning of Shepherd by Myra Kahn Adams for Town Hall
Welcome to our Bible study, especially if you are joining for the first time.
Today we explore the word “shepherd,” how it was used, and what it symbolized. I was inspired to write about this topic after hearing the magnificent hymn “Shepherd Me, O God.” This version is sung by its composer, Marty Haugen.
Let’s begin with the secular definition of shepherd from Merriam-Webster: “A person who tends sheep.” “A pastor” and the transitive verb “to guide or guard in the manner of a shepherd.”
Now is your chance to support Gospel News Network.
We love helping others and believe that’s one of the reasons we are chosen as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, to serve God’s children. We look to the Greatest Commandment as our Powering force.
Bible definitions from a variety of sources include “someone who watches over, looks after, or guides somebody.” A “metaphor used for God, especially in the Judeo-Christian tradition.” BibleStudyToolsexplains how “This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people.”
The Holman Bible Dictionary says shepherd or shepherding is “mentioned over 200 times in the Bible,” mainly in the Old Testament and only “16 times” in the New. However, as we will read below, the word is central to the identity and ministry of Jesus.
Starting with the shepherd verses in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible), the most famous is Psalm 23 (upon which the “Shepherd Me, O God” hymn was based). Here are the Psalm’s first three verses:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23: 1-3).
Next, the prophetic verses in Ezekiel 34:1-24 are subtitled “The Lord Will Be Israel’s Shepherd” but references Israel’s leaders as shepherds. God speaks through Ezekiel, excoriating these leaders for caring more about themselves than their flock. What follows are the first three verses of Divine scolding:
“The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.’” (Ezekiel 34: 1-3).
