Dict: easton - Cattle

easton:

Cattle @ abounded in the Holy Land. To the rearing and management of them the inhabitants chiefly devoted themselves kjv@Deuteronomy:8:13 kjv@Deuteronomy:12:21; kjv@1Samuel:11:5 kjv@1Samuel:12:3; kjv@Psalms:144:14; kjv@Jeremiah:3:24). They may be classified as,

(1.) Neat cattle. Many hundreds of these were yearly consumed in sacrifices or used for food. The finest herds were found in Bashan, beyond Jordan kjv@Numbers:32:4). Large herds also pastured on the wide fertile plains of Sharon. They were yoked to the plough (kjvKings:19:19), and were employed for carrying burdens ( kjv@1Chronicles:12:40). They were driven with a pointed rod kjv@Judges:3:31) or goad (q.v.). According to the Mosaic law, the mouths of cattle employed for the threshing-floor were not to be muzzled, so as to prevent them from eating of the provender over which they trampled kjv@Deuteronomy:25:4). Whosoever stole and sold or slaughtered an ox must give five in satisfaction kjv@Exodus:22:1); but if it was found alive in the possession of him who stole it, he was required to make double restitution only (22:4). If an ox went astray, whoever found it was required to bring it back to its owner (23:4; kjv@Deuteronomy:22:1 kjv@Deuteronomy:22:4). An ox and an ass could not be yoked together in the plough kjv@Deuteronomy:22:10).

(2.) Small cattle. Next to herds of neat cattle, sheep formed the most important of the possessions of the inhabitants of Palestine kjv@Genesis:12:16 kjv@Genesis:13:5 kjv@Genesis:26:14 ; 21:27; 29:2-3). They are frequently mentioned among the booty taken in war kjv@Numbers:31:32; kjv@Joshua:6:21; kjv@1Samuel:14:32 kjv@1Samuel:15:3). There were many who were owners of large flocks ( kjv@1Samuel:25:2; kjv@2Samuel:12:2, comp. kjv@Job:1:3). Kings also had shepherds "over their flocks" ( kjv@1Chronicles:27:31), from which they derived a large portion of their revenue ( kjv@2Samuel:17:29; kjv@1Chronicles:12:40). The districts most famous for their flocks of sheep were the plain of Sharon kjv@Isaiah:65:10), Mount Carmel kjv@Micah:7:14), Bashan and Gilead kjv@Micah:7:14). In patriarchal times the flocks of sheep were sometimes tended by the daughters of the owners. Thus Rachel, the daughter of Laban, kept her father's sheep kjv@Genesis:29:9); as also Zipporah and her six sisters had charge of their father Jethro's flocks kjv@Exodus:2:16). Sometimes they were kept by hired shepherds kjv@John:10:12), and sometimes by the sons of the family ( kjv@1Samuel:16:11 kjv@1Samuel:17:15). The keepers so familiarized their sheep with their voices that they knew them, and followed them at their call. Sheep, but more especially rams and lambs, were frequently offered in sacrifice. The shearing of sheep was a great festive occasion ( kjv@1Samuel:25:4; kjv@2Samuel:13:23). They were folded at night, and guarded by their keepers against the attacks of the lion kjv@Micah:5:8), the bear ( kjv@1Samuel:17:34), and the wolf kjv@Matthew:10:16; kjv@John:10:12). They were liable to wander over the wide pastures and go astray kjv@Psalms:119:176; kjv@Isaiah:53:6; kjv@Hosea:4:16; kjv@Matthew:18:12). Goats also formed a part of the pastoral wealth of Palestine kjv@Genesis:15:9 kjv@Genesis:32:14 kjv@Genesis:37:31 ). They were used both for sacrifice and for food kjv@Deuteronomy:14:4), especially the young males kjv@Genesis:27:9 kjv@Genesis:27:14, 17; kjv@Judges:6:19 kjv@Judges:13:15; kjv@1Samuel:16:20). Goat's hair was used for making tent cloth kjv@Exodus:26:7 kjv@Exodus:36:14), and for mattresses and bedding ( kjv@1Samuel:19:13 kjv@1Samuel:19:16). (
See GOAT.)