HISTORICAL, ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN, CULTURAL BACKGROUND

INFORMATION

• From Sumerian kings in the 3rd millennium on, rulers of the ancient Near East referred to themselves as shepherds of their people (ANET 159, 178). 

BIBLICAL

• Rulers as Shepherds: Jer 2:8, 10:21, 25:34-36; Zech 11:4-17.

• God as Israel's Shepherds: Ps 23; Isa 40:11; Jer 31:10. Jn 10:1-18

LINKS

• Shepherding The Flock Of God - A link to an article which has good historical information on sheep and shepherds.

• Southern Wildlife - A link to some of the animals of Southern Israel, including sheep.

• Bethlehem - A link to pictures taken in Bethlehem, including a modern day shepherd with his flock.

PICTURES

EZEKIEL

SHEPHERDS

Zedekiah was the last Judean king before Jerusalem fell during the time of the prophecy of Ezekiel.