SHEEP
The sheep was domesticated from the beginning (Gen. 4:2). The Hebrew patriarchs had flocks of them (Gen. 12:16). Their descendants, first in Egypt and then in Canaan, continued to care for their offspring (Ex. 10:9; 12:32, 38; 1 Chron. 27:31), until the time of Christ (Lk. 2:8).
The Judean Desert, the southern region, and the fields of Moab offered pasture land (Num. 32:1; Judges 5:16; 1 Sam. 16:11; 25:2), as did the surrounding area of Haran ( Gen. 29:2), the country of Midian (Ex. 2:16), the country of Uz and the Hagarenes (Jb. 1:1-3; 1 Chron. 5:20, 21), and the countries frequented by the tribes of Kedar and Nebaioth (Is. 60:7; Ez. 27:21; cf. 1 Sam. 15:7, 9).
Because of the heat and dry climate of these regions, the sheep had to be watered every day (Gen. 29:7-10; Ex. 2:16-19). The meat of these ceremonially pure animals was consumed (1 Sam. 14:32; 25:18; 2 Sam. 17:29; 1 Kings 4:23), as was their excellent milk (Deut. 32:14; Isa. 7:21, 22; 1 Cor. 9:7).
Their skins were used to make coarse clothing (Heb. 11:37; cf. Zech. 13:4; Mt. 7:15) and they were sometimes used to cover tents (Ex. 26:14). The wool of the sheep, woven, gave highly prized cloth (Lev. 13:47, 48; Jb. 31:20; Pr. 27:26; Ezek. 34:3).
The victors demanded quantities of wool as tribute (2 Kings 3:4; Is. 16:1). Shearing gave rise to celebrations (Gen. 38:12; 1 Sam. 25:4, 11, 36; 2 Sam. 13:23). The horns of the rams served as trunks and containers (Josh. 6:4; 15. 16:1).
The sheep, a pure animal, was offered as a sacrifice by the Hebrews and other peoples (Ex. 20:24; Num. 22:40; Jn. 2:14). The Israelites sacrificed it as a burnt offering (Lev. 1:10). The common people offered a lamb as a sacrifice of atonement (Lev. 4:32), and a ram for a guilt sacrifice (Lev. 5:15, 25) and for a sacrifice of thanksgiving (Lev. 22:21). ). (See LAMB, RAM.).
The sheep is:
affectionate (2 Sam. 12:3),
docile (John 10:3, 4),
meek (Is. 53:7; Jer. 11:19),
incapable when left to herself (Mi. 5:7; Mt. 10:16);
it cannot go without being led (Num. 27:17; Ez. 34:5; Mt. 9:36; 26:31).
The sheep of Palestine and neighboring regions are generally white (Ps. 147:16; Isa. 1:18; Ezek. 27:18); occasionally they may be black, brown, or white with spots (Gen. 30:32).
There are two breeds of sheep in the land of Israel: in the north, the rams and the ewes have horns. But the long-tailed species (“Ovis laticaudata”) is more common. Already in ancient times this species was bred in Arabia and in the land of Canaan (Herodotus 3:113; cf. Ex. 29:22; Lev. 3:9; 7:3; 8:25). The weight of these tails sold in the markets varies between 4.5 kg. and almost 7 kg. If the sheep has been well fattened, the tail becomes enormous; Cut into pieces and fried, it constitutes a delicate delicacy of Middle Eastern cuisine.