Dict: easton - Herdsman

easton:

Herdsman @ In Egypt herdsmen were probably of the lowest caste. Some of Joseph's brethren were made rulers over Pharaoh's cattle kjv@Genesis:47:6 kjv@Genesis:47:17). The Israelites were known in Egypt as "keepers of cattle;" and when they left it they took their flocks and herds with them kjv@Exodus:12:38). Both David and Saul came from "following the herd" to occupy the throne ( kjv@1Samuel:9; 11:5; kjv@Psalms:78:70). David's herd-masters were among his chief officers of state. The daughters also of wealthy chiefs were wont to tend the flocks of the family kjv@Genesis:29:9; kjv@Exodus:2:16). The "chief of the herdsmen" was in the time of the monarchy an officer of high rank ( kjv@1Samuel:21:7; comp. kjv@1Chronicles:27:29). The herdsmen lived in tents kjv@Isaiah:38:12; kjv@Jeremiah:6:3); and there were folds for the cattle kjv@Numbers:32:16), and watch-towers for the herdsmen, that he might therefrom observe any coming danger kjv@Micah:4:8; kjv@Nahum:3:8).