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Sheep

Sheep are used throughout Scripture as a metaphor for God's people, emphasizing their need for a shepherd's care, guidance, and protection. Jesus identified Himself as the Good Shepherd and His followers as His sheep.

Overview

The Bible frequently uses sheep imagery to describe believers and their relationship with God. Sheep are portrayed as vulnerable creatures needing a shepherd's care, illustrating humanity's dependence on God's guidance and protection. Jesus explicitly identified Himself as the Good Shepherd, while believers are His sheep who hear His voice and follow Him.

Key Scriptures

"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7, ESV)

"I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments." (Psalms 119:176, ESV)

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6, ESV)

Application

Recognize your need for Christ as your Shepherd and trust His guidance, care, and protection in your daily walk with Him.

Scripture References 40

Isaiah 53:7 Psalms 119:176 Isaiah 53:6 Ezekiel 34:16 Matthew 10:6 Matthew 25:32 Matthew 25:33 Luke 15:5 Luke 15:7 Psalms 114:4 Psalms 114:6 Genesis 29:9 Exodus 2:16 1 Samuel 16:11 1 Samuel 17:20 Isaiah 61:5 Deuteronomy 32:14 Job 31:20 Judges 5:16 1 Samuel 15:14 Micah 2:12 Deuteronomy 14:4 Psalms 23:2 Genesis 13:5 Genesis 24:25 Genesis 26:14 Exodus 9:3 Jeremiah 50:17 Micah 5:8 John 10:12 Matthew 7:15 1 Samuel 25:11 1 Samuel 25:36 2 Samuel 13:23 Isaiah 65:10 Exodus 3:1 Ezekiel 34:6 Ezekiel 34:13 Psalms 78:71 Deuteronomy 18:4

Full Topical Reference List 163 total — Nave's Topical Bible

(In patience and simplicity,) of patience, of Christ

Isaiah 53:7

(In proneness to wander,) of those who depart from God

Ezekiel 34:16 Isaiah 53:6 Psalms 119:176

(Lost,) of the unregenerate

Matthew 10:6

(Separation from the goats,) of the separation of saints from the wicked

Matthew 25:32 Matthew 25:33

(When found,) of restored sinners

Luke 15:5 Luke 15:7

Agile

Psalms 114:4 Psalms 114:6

Attended by members of the family

1 Samuel 16:11 Exodus 2:16 Genesis 29:9

Attended by servants

1 Samuel 17:20 Isaiah 61:5

Bashan

Deuteronomy 32:14

Being covered with a fleece

Job 31:20

Bleating of, alluded to

1 Samuel 15:14 Judges 5:16

Bozrah

Micah 2:12

Clean and used as food

Deuteronomy 14:4

Conducted to the richest pastures

Psalms 23:2

Constituted a great part of patriarchal wealth

Genesis 13:5 Genesis 24:25 Genesis 26:14

Cut off by disease

Exodus 9:3

Destroyed by wild beasts

Jeremiah 50:17 John 10:12 Micah 5:8

False prophets assume the simple appearance

Matthew 7:15

Feasting at the time of shearing

1 Samuel 25:11 1 Samuel 25:36 2 Samuel 13:23

Fed in the valleys

Isaiah 65:10

Fed on the mountains

Exodus 3:1 Ezekiel 34:6 Ezekiel 34:13

Females of, called ewes

Psalms 78:71

First fleece of, belonged to priests and Levites

Deuteronomy 18:4

First wool of, given to the priests

Deuteronomy 18:4

Firstlings of, could not be dedicated as a free-will offering

Leviticus 27:26

Firstlings of, not to be redeemed

Numbers 18:17

Firstlings of, not to be shorn

Deuteronomy 15:19

Fled from strangers

John 10:5

Flesh of, extensively used as food

1 Kings 1:19 1 Kings 4:23 1 Samuel 25:18 Isaiah 22:13 Nehemiah 5:18

Followed the shepherd

John 10:4 John 10:27

Frequently covered the pastures

Psalms 65:13

Given as presents

1 Chronicles 12:40 2 Samuel 17:29

Given as tribute

2 Chronicles 17:11 2 Kings 3:4

Guarded by dogs

Job 30:1

Innocent

Jacob's management of

Genesis 30:32 Genesis 30:33 Genesis 30:34 Genesis 30:35 Genesis 30:36 Genesis 30:37 Genesis 30:38 Genesis 30:39 Genesis 30:40

Kedar

Ezekiel 27:21

Kept in folds or cotes

1 Samuel 24:3 2 Samuel 7:8 John 10:1

Made to rest at noon

Psalms 23:2 Song of Solomon 1:7

Males of called rams

1 Samuel 15:22 Jeremiah 51:40

Milk of, used as food

1 Corinthians 9:7 Deuteronomy 32:14 Isaiah 7:21 Isaiah 7:22

Milk of, used for food

Deuteronomy 32:14

Nebaioth

Isaiah 60:7

Of the Jews

Psalms 74:1 Psalms 78:52 Psalms 79:13

Of the people of Christ

1 Peter 5:2 Hebrews 13:20 John 10:7 John 10:8 John 10:9 John 10:10 John 10:11 John 10:12 John 10:13 John 10:14 John 10:15 John 10:16 John 10:17 John 10:18 John 10:19 John 10:20 John 10:21 John 10:22 John 10:23 John 10:24 John 10:25 John 10:26 John 21:16 John 21:17

Of the wicked in their death

Psalms 49:14

Of those under God's judgment

Psalms 44:1

Offered in sacrifice from the earliest age

Genesis 4:4 Genesis 8:20 Genesis 15:9 Genesis 15:10

Offered in sacrifice under the law

1 Kings 8:5 1 Kings 8:63 Exodus 20:24 Leviticus 1:10

Remarkably prolific

Ezekiel 36:37 Psalms 107:41 Psalms 144:13 Song of Solomon 4:2

Sagacious

John 10:4 John 10:5

Shearing of

Genesis 31:19 Genesis 38:12 Genesis 38:13 Genesis 38:14 Genesis 38:15 Genesis 38:16 Genesis 38:17 Isaiah 53:7

Skins of, made into a covering for the tabernacle

Exodus 25:5 Exodus 36:10 Exodus 39:34

Skins of, worn as clothing by the poor

Hebrews 11:37

Taken in great numbers in war

1 Chronicles 5:21 1 Samuel 14:32 2 Chronicles 14:15 Judges 6:4

Time of shearing, a time of rejoicing

1 Samuel 25:2 1 Samuel 25:11 1 Samuel 25:36 2 Samuel 13:23

Tithe of, given to the Levites

2 Chronicles 31:4 2 Chronicles 31:5 2 Chronicles 31:6

Tribute paid in

1 Chronicles 5:21 2 Chronicles 17:11 2 Kings 3:4

Under man's care from the earliest age

Genesis 4:4

Washed and shorn every year

Song of Solomon 4:2

Watered every day

Exodus 2:16 Exodus 2:17 Genesis 29:8 Genesis 29:9 Genesis 29:10

Wool of, made into clothing

Ezekiel 34:3 Job 31:20 Proverbs 31:13

Young of, called lambs

Exodus 12:3 Isaiah 11:6

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