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(prop. áָּ÷ָø , of neat cattle; òֵãֶø , a flock of smaller animals; îַ÷ְðֵä , as property; ἀçñëç , a drove). The herd was greatly regarded both in the patriarchal and Mosaic period. Its multiplying was considered as a blessing, and its decrease as a curse (Gen_13:2; Deu_7:14; Deu_28:4; Psa_107:38; Psa_144:14; Jer_51:23). The ox was the most precious stock next to horse and mule, and (since those were rare) the thing of greatest value which was commonly possessed (1Ki_18:5). Hence we see the force of Saul's threat (1Sa_11:7). The herd yielded the most esteemed sacrifice (Num_7:3; Psa_69:31; Isa_66:3); also flesh-meat and milk, chiefly converted, probably, into butter and cheese (Deu_32:14; 2Sa_10:1 to 2Sa_12:29), which such milk yields more copiously than that of small cattle (Arist. Hist. Anim. 3, 20). The full-grown ox is hardly ever slaughtered in Syria; but, both for sacrificial and convivial purposes, the young animal was preferred (Exo_29:1) —perhaps three years might be the age up to which it was so regarded (Gen_15:9) —and is spoken of as a special dainty (Gen_17:8; Amo_6:4; Luk_15:23). The case of Gideon's sacrifice was one of exigency (Jdg_6:25), and exceptional. So that of the people (1Sa_14:32) was an act of wanton excess. The agricultural and general usefulness of the ox in ploughing threshing and as a beast of burden (1Ch_12:40; Isa_46:9, — made such a slaughtering seem wasteful; nor, owing to difficulties of grazing, fattening, etc., is beef the product of an Eastern climate. The animal was broken to service probably in his third year (Isa_15:5; Jer_48:34; comp. Pliny, HI. N. 8, 70, ed. Par.). In the moist season, when grass abounded in the waste lands, especially in the “south” region, herds grazed there; e.g. in Carmel, on the west side of the Dead Sea (1Sa_25:2; 2Ch_26:10). Dothan also, Mishor, and Sharon (Gen_37:17; comp. Robinson, 3:122; Stanley, S. and Pal. p. 247, 260, 484; 1Ch_27:29; Isa_65:10) were favorite pastures. For such purposes Uzziah built towers in the wilderness (2Ch_26:19). Not only grass, but foliage, is acceptable to the ox, and the- woods and hills of Bashan and Gilead afforded both abundantly; on such upland (Psalms 1, 10; Psa_65:12) pastures cattle might graze, as also, of course, by river sides, when driven by the heat from the regions of the “wilderness.” Especially was the eastern table-land (Eze_39:18; Num_32:4) “a place for cattle,” and the pastoral tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh, who settled there, retained something of the nomadic character and handed down some image of the patriarchal life (Stanley, S. and Pal. p. 324, 325). — Herdsmen in Egypt were a low, perhaps the lowest, caste; hence, as Joseph's kindred, through his position, were brought into contact with the highest castes, they are described as “an abomination;” but of the abundance of cattle in Egypt, and of the care there bestowed on them, there is no doubt (Gen_47:6; Gen_47:17; Exo_9:4; Exo_9:20). Brands were used to distinguish the owners' herds (Wilkinson, 3:8, 195; 4:125-131). So the plague of hail was sent to smite especially the cattle (Psa_78:48), the firstborn of which also were smitten (Exo_12:29). The Israelites departing stipulated for (Exo_10:26) and took “much cattle” with them (Exo_12:38). SEE EXODE. Cattle formed thus one of the traditions of the Israelitish nation in its greatest period, and became almost a part of that greatness. They are the subject of providential care and legislative ordinance (Exo_20:10; Exo_21:28; Exo_34:19; Lev_19:19; Lev_25:7; Deu_11:15; Deu_22:1; Deu_22:4; Deu_22:10; Deu_25:4; Psa_104:14; Isa_30:23; Jon_4:11), and even the Levites, though not holding land, were allowed cattle (Num_35:2-3).
When pasture failed, a mixture of various grains (called, Job_6:5, áְּìַéì , rendered “fodder” in the A.V., and, Isa_30:24, “provender;” compare the Roman farrago and ocymum, Pliny, 18:10 and 42) was used, as also úֶּáֶï , “chopped straw” (Gen_24:25; Isa_11:7; Isa_65:25), which was torn in pieces by the threshing-machine, and used probably for feeding in stalls. These last formed an important adjunct to cattle keeping, being indispensable for shelter at certain seasons (Exo_9:6; Exo_9:19). The herd, after its harvest duty was done, which probably caused it to be in high condition, was especially worth caring for; at the same time, most open pastures would have failed because of the heat. It was then probably stalled, and would continue so until vegetation returned. Hence the failure of “the herd” from “the stalls” is mentioned as a feature of scarcity (Hab_3:17). “Calves of the stall” (Mal_4:2; Pro_15:17) are the objects of watchful care. The Reubenites, etc., bestowed their cattle “in cities” when they passed the Jordan to share the toils of conquest (Deu_3:19), i.e. probably in some pastures closely adjoining, like the “suburbs” appointed for the cattle of the Levites (Num_35:2-3; Jos_21:2). Cattle were ordinarily allowed as a prey in war to the captor (Deu_20:14; Jos_8:2), and the case of Amalek is exceptional, probably to mark the extreme curse to which that people was devoted (Exo_17:14; 1Sa_15:3). The occupation of herdsman was honorable in early times (Gen_47:6; 1Sa_11:5; 1Ch_27:29; 1Ch_28:1). Saul himself resumed it in the interval of his cares as king; also Doeg was certainly high in his confidence (1Sa_21:7). Pharaoh made some of Joseph's brethren “rulers over his cattle.” David's herd-masters were among his chief officers of state. In Solomon's time the relative importance of the pursuit declined as commerce grew, but it was still extensive (Ecc_2:7; 1Ki_4:23). It must have greatly suffered from the inroads of the enemies to which the country under the later kings of Judah and Israel was exposed. Uzziah, however (2Ch_26:10), and Hezekiah (32:28, 29), resuming command of the open country, revived it. Josiah also seems to have been rich in herds (35:7-9). The prophet Amos at first followed this occupation (Amo_1:1; Amo_7:14). A goad was used (Jdg_3:31; 1Sa_13:21, îִìְîָã , ãָּøְáָï ), being, as mostly, a staff armed with a spike. For the word Herd as applied to swine, SEE SWINE. On the general subject, Ugolini, 39: De Re Rust. vett. Hebr. c. 2, will be found nearly exhaustive. SEE CATTLE.