Original Word: עֵדֶר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `eder
Pronunciation: AY-der
Phonetic Spelling: (ay'-der)
KJV: drove, flock, herd
NASB: flock, flocks, herds, droves, every drove, herd
Word Origin: [from H5737 (עָדַר - To be majestic)]

1. an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals)

drove, flock, herd

From adar; an arrangement, i.e. Muster (of animals) -- drove, flock, herd.

see HEBREW adar

Word Origin
from adar
Definition
a flock, herd
NASB Translation
droves (2), every drove (1), flock (15), flocks (15), herd (1), herds (3).

I. עֵ֫דֶר noun masculine^{Genesis 29:2} flock, herd (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic עַדְרָא; on ᵐ5 Γαδερ Genesis 35:16 ( = HCT Genesis 35:21) see Lag^{BN 76 f.}, who assigns ׳ע therefore, plausibly, to III. עדר (), as lagging, loitering); — ׳ע absolute Genesis 32:17 (twice in verse) +, construct Songs 4:1 +; suffix עֶדְרוֺ Isaiah 40:11 +; plural עֲדָרִים Genesis 29:2 +, construct עֶדְרֵי Micah 5:7 +, etc.; —

1 flock:

a. of sheep, צאֹן ׳ע Genesis 29:2 (J), Micah 5:7, ׳הַצ ׳ע Joel 1:18; compare Genesis 29:2,3,8; Genesis 30:4 (all J), 1 Samuel 17:34; Jeremiah 51:23; Malachi 1:14; "" צאֹן Ezekiel 34:12 (simile), Proverbs 27:23; + בְּהֵמָה2Chronicles 32:28; הָֽרְחֵלִים ׳ע Songs 6:6 = Songs 4:2 (insert probably ׳הָֽר); sign of desolation Isaiah 17:2; Isaiah 32:14 (מִרְעֵה ׳ע), Zephaniah 2:14; Jeremiah 6:3, of peace Jeremiah 31:24; in simile also Micah 2:12; Jeremiah 31:10; Psalm 78:52; figurative of Israel Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 13:20 ("" צאֹן), יהוה ׳ע Jeremiah 13:17, so עֶדְרוֺ Zechariah 10:3.

b. of goats, הָעִזִּים ׳ע Songs 4:1; Songs 6:5.

c. undefined Judges 5:16; Job 24:2; Songs 1:7.

2 herds, flocks and herds;

a. including sheep, cattle, etc., Genesis 32:17 (4 t. in verse); Genesis 32:20 (compare Genesis 32:14; all E).

b. specifically בָקָר ׳ע Joel 1:18. — מִגְדַּלעֵֿדָר see above

Overview

The noun עֵדֶר (ʿēder) denotes a flock or herd, whether of sheep, goats, or cattle. It appears about thirty-nine times, scattered from Genesis to Micah and Zechariah. While the term is concrete and pastoral, Scripture repeatedly widens its meaning to embrace covenantal, prophetic, and even messianic themes.

Distribution Across Scripture

• Patriarchal narratives: Genesis 13; 29–32
• Mosaic history: Exodus 10; Numbers 32; Deuteronomy 7 and 28
• Wisdom literature: Proverbs 27
• Poetry: Song of Songs 1 and 6
• Major prophets: Isaiah 13; Jeremiah 13 and 25
• Minor prophets: Micah 2 and 4; Zechariah 9, 10, 11

This spread shows that the image of the flock was never merely economic; it became a theological thread woven through Israel’s history.

Literal Usage: Pastoral Life in Ancient Israel

Genesis repeatedly links ʿēder with the wealth of the patriarchs. Abram, Isaac, and Jacob are portrayed as men of great flocks, living under God’s promise of blessing (Genesis 13:5; 26:14). In Genesis 29 the word dominates the scene at the well near Haran:

“Three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it… When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well” (Genesis 29:2–3).

The narrative highlights ordinary pastoral rhythms—watering, guarding, multiplying—yet implicitly credits divine providence for prosperity (Genesis 30:30).

Figurative Usage: Israel as the LORD’s Flock

Prophets appropriate ʿēder to describe the covenant community.

“I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob… like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men” (Micah 2:12).

Here the scattered nation is promised regathering, underscoring God’s faithful shepherding despite exile. Similarly, Zechariah anticipates eschatological deliverance:

“The LORD their God will save them on that day, as the flock of His people” (Zechariah 9:16).

Such passages recast economic vocabulary into redemptive hope, revealing the Shepherd-God who gathers, guards, and glorifies His people.

Covenantal Blessings and Judgments

Deuteronomy intertwines covenant obedience with flock fortunes:

“You will be blessed… the offspring of your herds” (Deuteronomy 7:13).

“But it shall come to pass… your herds will be cursed” (Deuteronomy 28:18).

Thus ʿēder becomes a barometer of Israel’s spiritual health. Loss of flocks signals divine chastening (Jeremiah 25:36), whereas restored flocks herald renewal (Ezekiel 36, though a different Hebrew word, the theme parallels).

Wisdom and Domestic Stewardship

Proverbs appeals to ʿēder for practical godliness:

“Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds” (Proverbs 27:23).

Diligent oversight of possessions mirrors responsible stewardship of any charge God entrusts, whether family, ministry, or resources.

Liturgical and Poetic Beauty

Song of Songs employs ʿēder for pastoral metaphor and bridal imagery:

“Tell me… where you pasture your flock” (Song of Songs 1:7).

“Your teeth are like a flock of sheep coming up from the washing” (Song of Songs 6:6).

The term conveys purity, fertility, and intimate delight, hinting at the joy of covenant relationship.

Prophetic and Messianic Anticipation

Zechariah 11 paints the rejected Shepherd tending “the flock doomed to slaughter,” exposing Israel’s leadership crisis and foreshadowing Messiah’s rejection. The Good Shepherd motif that blossoms in John 10 germinates in such prophetic uses of ʿēder.

New Testament Resonances

While ʿēder itself belongs to Hebrew Scripture, its imagery reverberates in the Greek ποιμήν and ποίμνιον:

• Luke 12:32—“Do not be afraid, little flock.”
• John 10:16—“They will become one flock with one shepherd.”

The Old Testament groundwork laid by ʿēder prepares the way for Christ’s declaration, connecting Israel’s account to the church’s identity.

Practical Ministry Insights

1. Shepherd-leadership: Pastors are called to mirror the attentive care envisioned in Proverbs and exemplified by Christ.
2. Community cohesion: Micah’s picture of a gathered flock stresses unity and mutual protection within the body.
3. Eschatological assurance: Promises tied to ʿēder anchor hope in God’s unbroken commitment to gather and keep His people.

Conclusion

From the wells of Haran to the visions of Zechariah, עֵדֶר gathers together themes of provision, guidance, and redemption. The humble flock becomes a living parable of God’s covenant faithfulness, culminating in the Shepherd-King who lays down His life that “there will be one flock and one shepherd.”

בְּעֶדְרֵי־ בְּעֶדְרוֹ֙ בַּעֵֽדֶר׃ בעדר׃ בעדרו בעדרי־ הָ֣עֲדָרִ֔ים הָעֲדָרִ֑ים הָעֲדָרִ֖ים הָעֲדָרִ֗ים הָעֵ֙דֶר֙ העדר העדרים וְעֶדְר֔וֹ וְעֶדְרֵיהֶ֑ם וַעֲדָרִ֖ים ועדרו ועדריהם ועדרים כְּעֵ֙דֶר֙ כְּעֵ֣דֶר כַּ֝עֵ֗דֶר כעדר לַעֲדָרִ֣ים לַעֲדָרִֽים׃ לעדרים לעדרים׃ מֵהָעֵֽדֶר׃ מהעדר׃ עֲדָרִ֑ים עֲדָרִֽים׃ עֲדָרִים֙ עֵ֖דֶר עֵ֗דֶר עֵ֥דֶר עֵֽדֶר׃ עֶדְר֜וֹ עֶדְר֣וֹ עֶדְרֵ֣י עֶדְרֵ֥י עֶדְרֵי־ עֶדְרֽוֹ׃ עֶדְרוֹ֙ עדר עדר׃ עדרו עדרו׃ עדרי עדרי־ עדרים עדרים׃ ‘ă·ḏā·rîm ‘ăḏārîm ‘ê·ḏer ‘eḏ·rê ‘eḏ·rê- ‘eḏ·rōw ‘êḏer ‘eḏrê ‘eḏrê- ‘eḏrōw adaRim ba‘êḏer ba·‘ê·ḏer baEder bə‘eḏrê- bə‘eḏrōw bə·‘eḏ·rê- bə·‘eḏ·rōw beedrei beedRo Eder edrei edRo hā‘ăḏārîm hā‘êḏer hā·‘ă·ḏā·rîm hā·‘ê·ḏer haadaRim haEder ka‘êḏer ka·‘ê·ḏer kaEder kə‘êḏer kə·‘ê·ḏer keEder la‘ăḏārîm la·‘ă·ḏā·rîm laadaRim mê·hā·‘ê·ḏer mêhā‘êḏer mehaEder vaadaRim veedreiHem veedRo wa‘ăḏārîm wa·‘ă·ḏā·rîm wə‘eḏrêhem wə‘eḏrōw wə·‘eḏ·rê·hem wə·‘eḏ·rōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts