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803. The Sheep Fold

From: Manners and Customs of the Bible

By: James M. Freeman

• 1 min. read • grade level: 8

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John 10:1¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (John 10:1). He that entereth not by the door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

In this beautiful figure reference is made to the place of shelter for the sheep where they might repose at night, and be safe from the attacks of wild beasts. The modern sheep-folds of Syria, which no doubt resemble those of ancient times, are low, fiat buildings opening into a court, which is surrounded by a stone wall, protected on the top by a layer of thorns. A doorway carefully guarded forms the entrance. Sheep-folds are referred to in a number of passages. See Numbers 32:16,24,36¹⁶And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: (Numbers 32:16)
²⁴Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth. (Numbers 32:24)
³⁶And Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, fenced cities: and folds for sheep. (Numbers 32:36); 1 Samuel 24:3³And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. (1 Samuel 24:3); 2 Chronicles 32:28²⁸Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. (2 Chronicles 32:28); Psalm 78:70⁷⁰He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: (Psalm 78:70).

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Manners and Customs of the Bible

• 780. Feeding the Swine

• 781. The Steward

• 782. Disposition of Crumbs

• 783. Semi Weekly Fasts

• 784. Smiting the Breast

• 785. The "Pound"

• 786. Ornaments of the Temple

• 787. Temple Captains

• 788. Game of Blindfolding

• 789. Division of Jewish Scriptures

• 790. Priestly Benediction

• 791. The Shoe Latchet

• 792. The Firkin

• 793. The "Governor of the Feast"

• 794. The "Friend of the Bridegroom"

• 795. Drawing Water

• 796. Contempt for Women

• 797. Sealing

• 798. Ceremonies at the Feast of Tabernacles

• 799. Freedom by the Son

• 800. Jewish Hatred of Samaritans

• 801. Period of Maturity

• 802. Excommunication

• 803. The Sheep Fold

• 804. Shepherd and Sheep

• 805. The Feast of Dedication

• 806. The Hours of the Day

• 807. Double Names

• 808. Rabbinical Notions of Soul and Body

• 809. The Furlong