SHEEP (Jewish Encyclopedia)

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—Biblical Data:

The most usual terms for the sheep are "seh" and "kebes" ("keseb"); "kar" (Deut 32:14; Isa 58:7) denotes the young lamb in pasture; "ṭeleh" (Isa 40:11 et al.), the suckling lamb; "ayil," the ram; "raḥel," the ewe. In the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament the term "emer" occurs (Ez 7:17), which term is found also in the cognate languages. The word "ẓon" is used collectively for small cattle, including sheep and goats.

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Uses of the Sheep.

The important place held by the sheep in the husbandry of Palestine is shown by the hundreds of Biblical references to it. It is the first animal distinguished by name (Gen 4:4). In patriarchal times sheep formed the chief part of the flocks and herds and the principal source of wealth (comp. Gen 12:16, xxiv. 35 et al.; Ex 2:16). The existence of large numbers of sheep is referred to throughout the Biblical narrative (comp. Num 31:32; Josh 6:21; 1Sam 14:32, xv. 3, xxvii. 9; Job 1:3; 1Chr 5:21). Even kings did not disdain to be breeders of sheep (2Kg 3:4; 1Chr 27:31; 2Chr 26:10, xxxii. 29; comp. Eccl 2:7).

The uses of the sheep were manifold. Its flesh, especially that of lambs, was a favorite dish (1Sam 25:18; 1 Kg 4:23; Isa 22:13; Amos 6:4); the ewe's milk also was consumed (Deut 32:14). The shofar was made of the horn of the ram (Josh 6:4), which was used also as a receptacle for oil, etc. (1Sam 16:1). The skin served as covering for tents (Ex 26:14), and probably as clothing (Heb. xi. 37). But it was chiefly for its wool that the sheep was valued (Deut 18:4; Prov 27:23, 26; xxxi. 13; Job 31:19), and sheep-shearing was the occasion of a festival (Gen 38:12; 1Sam 25:2; 2 Sam 13:23). The white wool of Damascus is especially mentioned (Ezek 27:18).

The sheep was preeminently the animal for sacrifice (Gen 4:4; Lev 1:10 et passim; 1 Kg 8:5; 2Chr 15:11). The morning and evening offering in the Sanctuary consisted of a yearling lamb (Ex 29:38; Num 28:1).

The plain east of the Jordan, and Ammon, Moab, Gilead, Bashan, Carmel, and Sharon were particularly devoted to sheep pasture (Num 32:4; Isa 65:10; Micah vii. 14; 2Kg 3:4). Arabia also was rich in sheep (Isa 60:7; Ezek 27:21; 2Chr 17:11).

The sheep now most common in Palestine is the broad-tailed variety, characterized by a deposit of fat in the tail ("alyah"; comp. Ex 29:22; Lev 3:9 et al.). In northern Palestine a horned variety similar to the merino is found. Sheep are still abundant east of the Jordan.

Flock and shepherd are often used figuratively in reference to the people and their leaders (Num 27:17; 1 Kg 22:17; Ezek 34:17, xxxix. 18; Zech 11:7; Ps 49¹⁵, cxix. 176). The ram is also the emblem of one of the great monarchies (Dan 8:3). The patience and meekness of the lamb are alluded to in Isa 53:7, Jer 11:19, and Ps 44¹², 23 (A. V. 11, 22).

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—In Rabbinical Literature:

A number of additional terms for the sheep are used in the Talmud; e.g., (missing hebrew text) (Ker. 28b et al.), (missing hebrew text) (R. H. 26a). In the first month of the second year the sheep is called (missing hebrew text) (Parah i. 3). The ram is called also (missing hebrew text) ("the male of the ewes"; Yeb. 121b), and in the plural (missing hebrew text) (Ḥul. 39b); while to the great ram the term (missing hebrew text) is applied (Shab. 18b), (missing hebrew text) (properly, "he-goats") occurs sometimes for sheep in general (Ḥul. 84a). The wild ram is (missing hebrew text) ("ram of the field"; Ḥul. 80a). Sheep carrying their heavy tails on little wagons are mentioned (Shab. 54b).

The high estimation in which sheep are held in the Talmud is illustrated by the advice: "Sell thy field to buy sheep, but do not sell thy sheep to buy a field" (Ḥul. 84a, b). The most valuable part of the sheep is its wool, and great pains were taken in the care of it (Shab. 6b; Ḥul. 137a). Sheep bearing fine wool were protected by covers to keep the wool clean (Shab. 54a). Shorn sheep wore on the forehead a sponge or a piece of woolen cloth saturated in oil as a protection against cold (ib.). Of the ram, the horns were made into wind-instruments, the hollow thigh-bones into flutes, the large intestine into lute-strings, and the small intestine into harp-strings; while from its wool were made the pomegranates in the garment of the high priest, against which the striking of small golden bells produced a tinkling sound (comp. Ex 28:33-35). Hence the adage: "The ram alive produces only one sound; dead, seven sounds" (Ḳin. 25a). The sheep conceives, as a rule, when it is two years old, and its period of gestation is five months. It copulates with the goat (Bek. 19b). In parturition the young comes forth with the lips first, not with the ears, as does the goat (Bek. 35a). To aid the sheep in parturition pieces of cloth dipped in oil and warmed were bound on its forehead and belly (Shab. 54b). To fatten female sheep their udders were bound up so as to prevent the formation of milk (Shab. 54a). The best sheep were those of Hebron (Soṭah 34b).