In Egypt herdsmen were probably of the lowest caste. Some of Joseph's brethren were made rulers over Pharaoh's cattle (
Genesis 47:6 Genesis 47:17 ). The Israelites were known in Egypt as "keepers of cattle;" and when they left it they took their flocks and herds with them (
Exodus 12:38 ). Both David and Saul came from "following the herd" to occupy the throne (
1 Samuel 9 ;
11:5 ;
Psalms 78:70 ). David's herd-masters were among his chief officers of state. The daughters also of wealthy chiefs were wont to tend the flocks of the family (
Genesis 29:9 ;
Exodus 2:16 ). The "chief of the herdsmen" was in the time of the monarchy an officer of high rank (
1 Samuel 21:7 ; Compare
1 Chronicles 27:29 ). The herdsmen lived in tents (
Isaiah 38:12 ;
Jeremiah 6:3 ); and there were folds for the cattle (
Numbers 32:16 ), and watch-towers for the herdsmen, that he might therefrom observe any coming danger (
Micah 4:8 ;
Nahum 3:8 ).
These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.