In ancient Jewish society, shepherds who cared for sheep or goats were important. Shepherding was essential in the ancient Near East. Each morning, the shepherd led the flock out (John 10:2–4). He found grass and water and protected them from wild animals (Amos 3:12). He searched for and returned any of the flock that wandered off (Ezekiel 34:8; Matthew 18:12). He returned the flock to the pen every evening.
The word shepherd became a common term for a ruler. People often referred to the kings of Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt as shepherds because they protected their people. This metaphor is also common in the Old Testament (Numbers 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17; Jeremiah 10:21; 23:1–2; Ezekiel 34:1–10).
The Old Testament regards God as the "Shepherd of Israel," caring for every part of his people's well-being (Genesis 49:24; Psalms 23:1; 80:1; Isaiah 40:11). God himself would take care of his flock (Jeremiah 23:3; 31:10; Ezekiel 34:11–22). He promised to provide faithful leaders who cared for his people (Jeremiah 3:15; 23:4).
When Israel's early leaders were unfaithful, God took action and chose his servant David as a faithful leader. He later promised to establish David's descendants as leaders over Israel (see Ezekiel 34:23–24). By the time of the prophet Jeremiah, shepherd began to refer to the coming Messiah (God's chosen one).
In the New Testament, Jesus called himself "the Shepherd" (Matthew 25:31–33; Mark 14:27; John 10:1–30). He is the "Good Shepherd" who sacrifices his life for the sheep (John 10:11–18; see also Hebrews 13:20).
The church leaders are also known as shepherds (Ephesians 4:11, translated as “pastors”). God gives them to the church to care for his people like a shepherd cares for sheep, guiding and teaching them in God's ways. They must remain faithful shepherds until Jesus Christ, "the Chief Shepherd," comes to lead his people directly (1 Peter 5:1–4).
Passages for Further Study
Genesis 29:1–10; Numbers 27:16–18; 2 Samuel 7:7; 1 Kings 22:17; 1 Chronicles 11:2; Psalms 23:1–6; 77:20; 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; 44:28; 56:10–11; Jeremiah 10:21; 25:34–36; Ezekiel 34:1–31; Micah 7:14; Zechariah 10:2b–3; 11:4–17; 13:7; Matthew 2:6; 18:12–14; 26:31; John 10:1–16; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:1–4; Jude 1:12; Revelation 7:17