plains of Sharon. They were yoked to the plough (1 Kings 19:19), and
were employed for carrying burdens (1 Chronicles 12:40). They were
driven with a pointed rod (Judges 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 (Deuteronomy 25:4).
Whosoever stole and sold or slaughtered an ox must give five in
satisfaction (Exodus 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; Deuteronomy 22:1, 4). An ox and an ass could not be yoked
together in the plough (Deuteronomy 22:10).
(2.) Small cattle. Next to herds of neat cattle, sheep formed the most
important of the possessions of the inhabitants of Palestine (Genesis
12:16; 13:5; 26:14; 21:27; 29:2, 3). They are frequently mentioned among
the booty taken in war (Numbers 31:32; Joshua 6:21; 1 Samuel 14:32;
15:3). There were many who were owners of large flocks (1 Samuel 25:2; 2
Samuel 12:2, comp. Job 1:3). Kings also had shepherds “over their flocks”
(1 Chronicles 27:31), from which they derived a large portion of their
revenue (2 Samuel 17:29; 1 Chronicles 12:40). The districts most famous
for their flocks of sheep were the plain of Sharon (Isaiah 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
(Genesis 29:9); as also Zipporah and her six sisters had charge of their
father Jethro’s flocks (Exodus 2:16). Sometimes they were kept by hired
shepherds (John 10:12), and sometimes by the sons of the family (1
Samuel 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 (1 Samuel 25:4; 2 Samuel
13:23). They were folded at night, and guarded by their keepers against the
attacks of the lion (Micah 5:8), the bear (1 Samuel 17:34), and the wolf
(Matthew 10:16; John 10:12). They were liable to wander over the wide
pastures and go astray (Psalm 119:176; Isaiah 53:6; Hos. 4:16; Matthew
18:12).