What Does the Bible Say About Shepherds?
Here are 5 Bible verses about shepherds, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
BSBHe tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
- #2John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
BSBI am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,
- #3Psalms 23:1-6
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
BSBA Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
- #41 Peter 2:25
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
BSBFor “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
- #5John 10:11
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
BSBI am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).
Shepherds in Torrey's Topical Textbook
- Early mention of: Ge 4:2
- Usually carried a scrip or bag: 1Sa 17:40
- Carried a staff or rod: Le 27:32; Ps 23:4
- Dwelt in tents while tending their flocks: So 1:8; Isa 38:12
- Members of the family both male and female acted as: Ge 29:6; 1Sa 16:11; 17:15
- Had hired keepers under them: 1Sa 17:20
- The unfaithfulness of hireling, alluded to: Joh 10:12
- CARE OF THE SHEEP BY, EXHIBITED IN
- Knowing them: Joh 10:14
- Going before and leading them: Ps 77:20; 78:52; 80:1
- Seeking out good pasture for them: 1Ch 4:39-41; Ps 23:2
- Numbering them when they return from pasture: Jer 33:13
- Watching over them by night: Lu 2:8
- Tenderness to the ewes in lamb, and to the young: Ge 33:13,14; Ps 78:71
- Defending them when attacked by wild beasts: 1Sa 17:34-36; Am 3:12
- Searching them out when lost and straying: Eze 34:12; Lu 15:4,5
- Attending them when sick: Eze 34:16
- An abomination to the Egyptians: Ge 46:34
- ILLUSTRATIVE
- Of God as leader of Israel: Ps 77:20; 80:1
- Of Christ as the good shepherd: Eze 34:23; Zec 13:7; Joh 10:14; Heb 13:20
- Of kings as the leaders of the people: Isa 44:28; Jer 6:3; 49:19
- Of ministers of the gospel: Jer 23:4
- (Searching out straying sheep,) of Christ seeking the lost: Eze 34:12; Lu 15:2-7
- (Their care and tenderness,) of tenderness of Christ: Isa 40:11; Eze 34:13-16
- (Ignorant and foolish,) of bad ministers: Isa 56:11; Jer 50:6; Eze 34:2,10; Zec 11:7,8,15-17