{"id":4445,"date":"2025-03-18T22:46:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T22:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/de\/?p=4445"},"modified":"2026-04-29T23:21:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T22:21:00","slug":"sheep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/sheep","title":{"rendered":"Sheep"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The sheep is by far the most frequently mentioned animal in the Bible and appears in some way in more than 500 verses. No other animal has a more important symbolic significance. Whether as a sacrificial animal \u2013 emphasizing purity, innocence, and defenselessness \u2013 or as an image of fallen humanity in its dependence, disorientation, and lostness, it plays an important role in many sections of the Old and New Testaments. Connected with this are further images, such as the \u00abflock\u00bb as a symbol of God\u2019s people and the \u00abgood shepherd\u00bb as a metaphor for human leaders who guide on God\u2019s behalf, and for God Himself \u2013 the \u00abgood shepherd\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the tribe of the goat-antelopes (<em>Caprini<\/em>), all species of sheep, goats, and ibex are grouped together, so that nothing certain can be said about the exact relationships and origins of sheep in the Near East. If the forms living there today had been domesticated from wild or feral animals, the mouflon (<em>Ovis gmelini musimon<\/em>) would be their closest living relative and ancestor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quadro-copter.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1262\" height=\"836\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quadro-copter.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4774\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quadro-copter.jpg 1262w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quadro-copter-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quadro-copter-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quadro-copter-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quadro-copter-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1262px) 100vw, 1262px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In Jacob sheep, both males and females bear four horns, which can grow to an impressive size and then almost completely enclose the head. This is a very old breed that was already kept in antiquity in the Near East. Since their fleece is usually spotted, they were named after Jacob, in allusion to Laban\u2019s agreement with the patriarch Jacob (Gen 30:32).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The modern domestic sheep (<em>Ovis gmelini aries<\/em>) occurs in a great variety of breeding forms. The DAD-IS (Domestic Animal Diversity Information System) currently lists 93 main breeds. It is hardly possible to reconstruct which breeds were widespread in biblical times. With considerable certainty, Jacob sheep (or four-horned sheep) were among them. There is a direct biblical indication that fat-tailed sheep were kept. Their conspicuously thickened rump appendage stores up to ten kilograms of fat and thus fulfils a function similar to the humps of camels. It is mentioned in the Bible and is called <em>alja<\/em> (Ex 29:22; Lev 3:9; 7:3; 8:25; 9:19).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As with the goats in the previous chapter, there is also a multitude of different terms for sheep. In German, \u00abSchaf\u00bb refers both to the species in general and to the female (mother) animal older than one year (archaic also: Au, Aue, Zibbe). The male animal is called a ram. \u00abHammel\u00bb are castrated rams. They do not occur in the Bible, because the castration of animals was not practiced in Jewish culture. The young of both sexes up to one year old are called \u00ablamb\u00bb. Precisely one-year-old sacrificial animals could therefore be called either \u00ablamb\u00bb or \u00absheep\u00bb, as can be seen from the \u00abfree quotation\u00bb of Isaiah 53:7\u20138 according to the Greek LXX in Acts 8:32. Before weaning, up to an age of half a year, the young are called \u00abmilk lamb\u00bb. The Hebrew words <em>se<\/em> (36x) and <em>keseb<\/em> (13x) are general terms for a sheep. However, the term <em>zon<\/em>, which generally means small livestock \u2013 sheep and goats \u2013 is also translated \u00absheep\u00bb when the context suggests it. In some of these verses the goats are mentioned separately, which makes the assignment clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schwanz-lastig.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1788\" height=\"423\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schwanz-lastig.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4775\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schwanz-lastig.jpg 1788w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schwanz-lastig-300x71.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schwanz-lastig-1024x242.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schwanz-lastig-768x182.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schwanz-lastig-1536x363.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schwanz-lastig-600x142.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1788px) 100vw, 1788px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The enormous knob at the rear end of fat-rumped sheep is not particularly aesthetic, but it helps them survive times of food scarcity and is considered a valuable delicacy. In fat-<em>tailed<\/em> sheep, by contrast, the fat reserve dangles down and sometimes \u2013 even in especially well-fed animals \u2013 drags on the ground. A small \u00abtail cart\u00bb is used in an attempt to give the animals some relief. About a quarter of sheep living today belong to one of these two types.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A special word for ewes is <em>rachel<\/em> (Gen 31:38; 32:15; Song 6:6; Isa 53:7), corresponding to the woman\u2019s name Rachel (45x). The ram is referred to as <em>ajil<\/em> (135x). Even if rams are not as aggressive and combative as male goats, their designation is also transferred to human \u00ableaders\u00bb: \u00aband he took the mighty ones of the land\u00bb (Ezek 17:13) and \u00abthe mighty men of Moab \u2013 trembling seized them\u00bb (Ex 15:15). The word derives from a root expressing steadfastness. It is therefore not surprising that in 17 verses it denotes a \u00abpillar\u00bb. The Aramaic word for ram is <em>dekar<\/em> (Ez 6:9, 17; 7:17). The lambs, which played a special role as sacrificial animals, are designated by the Hebrew <em>kebes<\/em> (99x) and the Aramaic <em>immar<\/em> (Ez 6:9, 17; 7:17). Even the term \u00abmilk lamb\u00bb has an exact Hebrew equivalent: <em>tale chalab<\/em> (1Sam 7:9). For fattened sheep kept primarily for meat production there was the term <em>kar<\/em> (9x), which is also found in the place name Beth-car (house of slaughter sheep, 1Sam 7:11) and in combinations such as <em>zon tibcha<\/em> (sheep for slaughter, Ps 44:23) and <em>zon ma\u2019akal<\/em> (sheep for food, Ps 44:12).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The expression from Psalm 44:23 is quoted in the NT to describe the sufferings of believers: \u00abFor your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered\u00bb (Rom 8:36). Here the Greek expression <em>probata sphages<\/em> refers to sheep for slaughter. In Greek, <em>probaton<\/em> (37x) is the general term for sheep, while <em>amnos<\/em> (John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1Pet 1:19) and <em>aren<\/em> (Luke 10:3) denote lambs. John sets a special emphasis when, in Revelation, he always chooses the diminutive form <em>arnion<\/em> (28x), which refers to very young lambs. In this way he underscores the innocence, purity, and defenselessness of the Lord Jesus as the Lamb \u00abas though it had been slain\u00bb (Rev 5:6) and creates a strong contrast to the image of the lion, which expresses violence and dominion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No animal is described in the Bible as more vulnerable and helpless than sheep. Without the shepherd\u2019s care they soon lie \u00abharassed and helpless\u00bb (Mt 9:36). They go astray, get lost, and cannot find their way home on their own (Isa 53:6; Ezek 34:4\u20136; Mt 10:6; 15:24; 18:12\u201313; Lk 15:4, 6; 1Pet 2:25). They fall into a pit (Mt 12:11) or into a well (Lk 14:5). Predators drive the flock away and scatter it (Ezek 34:4, 16; Mic 4:6; Mt 26:31; Mk 14:27). Individual animals injure themselves while fleeing and limp (Mic 4:6; Zeph 3:19), are stolen (1Sam 17:34; Amos 3:12; Joh 10:12), perish (Zech 11:16), or are trampled and torn to pieces (Mic 5:7). In most breeds the rams do have considerable horns, but when a wild animal approaches, they make sure to get away, and the whole flock runs off in panic. Because they run only slowly, have little endurance, and cannot climb, jump, or hide, sheep are easy prey; hardly any animal is more defenselessly exposed to its hunters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-dornengew-irre.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"764\" height=\"868\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-dornengew-irre.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4776\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-dornengew-irre.jpg 764w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-dornengew-irre-264x300.jpg 264w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-dornengew-irre-600x682.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 764px) 100vw, 764px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It does not know where it comes from or where it is going, is completely tangled up, and cannot help itself \u2013 the lost sheep in the thorns is an apt picture of the lost person without God. Its only hope is the good shepherd who sets out, goes after it until he finds it, and brings it home (Lk 15:3\u20137). The British painter Alfred Usher Soord (1868\u20131915) depicted this situation in his well-known painting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, sheep are susceptible to parasites and diseases (Mal 1:8, 13) and sensitive to poisonous plants, which they do not recognize as a danger. Since rams among sheep are not as dominant as among goats, the lead animal of a flock is often not a ram but an experienced ewe. Rank differences become apparent in competition for desirable places. And even if the hierarchy within the group \u2013 the \u00abpecking order\u00bb \u2013 is not very pronounced, the flock often does not settle down until the shepherd is there. Highly bred wool sheep must be shorn regularly; some sheep also need human help during birth and cannot \u00ablamb\u00bb independently. It is not only their lack of orientation, defenselessness, and helplessness, but also traits such as flock instinct, stubbornness, obstinacy, timidity, and a tendency toward irrational behavior that make sheep an image of humans without guidance. Sheep are therefore inseparably linked with the person of the shepherd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-herden-burger.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1184\" height=\"818\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-herden-burger.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4777\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-herden-burger.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-herden-burger-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-herden-burger-1024x707.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-herden-burger-768x531.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-herden-burger-600x415.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1184px) 100vw, 1184px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Free-range sheep keeping, which is still practiced in many parts of the world today, gives a good impression of what shepherding looked like in biblical times.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many situations in which a sheep depends on the shepherd\u2019s help. This culminates in the fact that a sheep that has rolled or fallen onto its back is often unable to get back onto its feet by itself. The other animals in the flock do not realize the predicament and do not come to help. In this awkward position the \u00abstranded\u00bb sheep becomes easy prey even for smaller birds of prey. In addition, the rumen bloats and presses on the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, and if the animal is pregnant, the pressure of the uterus is added. Circulation and breathing are weakened to such an extent that the animal often dies within a few hours. There is probably no other example in creation of an animal suddenly putting itself in mortal danger in an absolutely peaceful environment like the poor sheep lying on the level, green meadow, stretching all four legs up to the sky \u2013 and needing to be turned back over so it will not die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-deppen-rolle.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1849\" height=\"770\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-deppen-rolle.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4778\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-deppen-rolle.jpg 1849w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-deppen-rolle-300x125.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-deppen-rolle-1024x426.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-deppen-rolle-768x320.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-deppen-rolle-1536x640.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-deppen-rolle-600x250.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1849px) 100vw, 1849px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is unique. Even a turtle somehow manages to get back onto its feet if it ends up on its back, but sheep die from it. Whoever discovers such a stranded \u00abcast-sheep\u00bb can do a good deed and save a life by taking on the helper\u2019s role and acting as a \u00abroll helper\u00bb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Certain circumstances increase the risk that a sheep will unexpectedly end up on its back. This happens more often to pregnant sheep, since they mostly carry twins and thus are heavier and rounder. Moreover, in wool breeds, animals with a particularly dense and heavy fleece, and in \u00abmeat breeds\u00bb very well-fed and fat animals are more at risk. In other words, it is the most fertile, most productive, and visibly blessed animals that are most in danger of suddenly lying on their backs in an apparently safe environment. This recalls the biblical warning: \u00abTherefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall\u00bb (1Cor 10:12).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyone who talks about domestic sheep must also mention the work of the shepherd, without whose care they would not survive. Many biblical figures \u2013 men (e.g., Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Amos) as well as women (e.g., Rebekah, Rachel, Zipporah) \u2013 were shepherds. Evidently the self-sacrificing care of the animals was a good training ground for later leadership responsibilities over people. What this service looks like in practice can be studied in Psalm 23. This passage, together with the \u00abLord\u2019s Prayer\u00bb, is considered the best-known biblical text. It presents care, refreshment, guidance, support, comfort, fellowship, peace, joy, and confidence \u2013 things that only God can give in perfect measure; and hardly anyone could have described God better as his personal shepherd than David, who himself was a shepherd and later, as king of Israel, understood himself as a \u00abshepherd of people\u00bb (2Sam 24:17; Ps 78:70\u201372).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ausgeg-rast.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1840\" height=\"647\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ausgeg-rast.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4779\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ausgeg-rast.jpg 1840w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ausgeg-rast-300x105.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ausgeg-rast-1024x360.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ausgeg-rast-768x270.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ausgeg-rast-1536x540.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ausgeg-rast-600x211.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1840px) 100vw, 1840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shepherd boys often have a hard life. This photo shows the young Peruvian Eduardo Ramos with his dead sheep after a taxi driver speeding past killed half of his family\u2019s flock and simply drove on. The photographer William Albert Allard witnessed this tragedy, felt compassion for the crying boy, and promised to help. When the picture and the story were published in March 1982 in \u00abNational Geographic\u00bb, sympathetic readers donated more than $6,000. With it, the boy\u2019s family was able to buy five new ewes \u2013 and there was still plenty left to help other people in his village.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Schaf-S132.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1179\" height=\"839\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Schaf-S132.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4809\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Schaf-S132.jpg 1179w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Schaf-S132-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Schaf-S132-1024x729.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Schaf-S132-768x547.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Schaf-S132-600x427.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1179px) 100vw, 1179px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00abThe LORD is my shepherd\u00bb \u2013 There is a relationship between sheep and shepherd. It is not merely a relationship of ownership, but also mutual knowing and recognizing. As more recent studies have shown, sheep have extraordinary abilities in recognizing faces and voices (cf. Joh 10:3\u20134, 14, 16, 27). The shepherd also knows his sheep and feels responsible for them (Joh 10:11\u201315, 28). When the prophet Nathan tells the story of a man who has only a single small ewe lamb to which he is deeply attached, and it is stolen from him, David\u2019s shepherd heart is revealed: \u00abDavid\u2019s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, \u201cAs the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die\u201d\u00bb (2Sam 12:5).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00abI shall not want\u00bb \u2013 A good shepherd knows and meets all the needs of his sheep. He knows best what the animals need at any given time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bbHe makes me lie down in green pastures\u00bb \u2013 Especially in barren regions, the grazing area must be changed regularly according to a well-thought-out plan. In Israel, haymaking was not practiced \u2013 the grazing had to adapt to natural conditions: \u00abWhen the grass is gone and new growth appears \u2026\u00bb (Prov 27:25). If an area is used too intensively, the vegetation is destroyed by overgrazing and trampled by hooves. Parasites that are excreted with the droppings and taken up again while grazing can then easily spread throughout the flock. The shepherd also makes sure there are no poisonous plants in the pasture and pulls them out if necessary to protect the sheep.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bbHe leads me beside still waters\u00bb \u2013 Sheep are not desert animals like gazelles or camels and in dry regions have a water requirement of 3\u20136 liters per day (nursing mothers even up to 10 liters). The shepherd ensures that a watering place or a shepherd\u2019s cistern (Zeph 2:6) is visited daily, and that the sheep line up to drink in such a way that they do not dirty the water for one another. If they stir up the sediment (Ezek 34:18), the risk of infection from parasites increases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bbHe restores my soul\u00bb \u2013 The shepherd knows how much rest his animals need. If sheep do not have enough time to rest for rumination and nursing, it can be life-threatening for them (Gen 33:13).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bbHe leads me in paths of righteousness\u00bb \u2013 The sheep\u2019s inadequate sense of direction has already been mentioned. The shepherd not only prevents them from getting lost but also knows the safest and shortest paths between grazing areas, watering places, resting places, and folds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bbEven though I walked through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me\u00bb \u2013 The way to the next fertile mountain pastures often leads through intervening valleys. On the one hand, valley routes have less gradient, offer more shade, and more often pass small streams and ponds than mountain paths; on the other hand, predators find cover there to sneak up on the flock unnoticed. Without the shepherd\u2019s accompaniment and presence, the sheep would be in grave danger here. In the Judean hill country that David has in view, the valleys are often wadis that can fill with water in sudden torrents during rainfall \u2013 even if the rain falls far away. In Israel, several people still die from this every year. Normally the shepherd lives with the flock and stays in the \u00abshepherd\u2019s tent\u00bb (Isa 38:12).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bbYour rod and your staff, they comfort me\u00bb \u2013 The Hebrew word <em>shebet<\/em>, translated here as \u00abrod\u00bb, refers in this context to a strong club that served as an all-purpose tool. It could be used as a weapon (2Sam 23:21; 1Chr 11:23) and was sharpened on one side so that it could be used as a spear (2Sam 18:14) or as a weed-digger to uproot poisonous plants. With its help the sheep were counted, probably in a narrow passage, by letting them pass under it one by one (Lev 27:32; Jer 33:13; Ezek 20:37); they were disciplined with it and driven onward (Isa 9:3). The rod became a symbol of the shepherd (Mic 7:14) and, figuratively, a symbol of the ruler who leads his people. In that sense the word is usually translated \u00abscepter\u00bb (e.g., Ps 45:7; Ezek 19:14) or \u00abrod\u00bb when it refers to the ruler\u2019s judging power (e.g., Ps 89:33; Isa 11:4). The word <em>misch\u2019ena<\/em>, translated here as \u00abstaff\u00bb, by contrast denotes a long stick or walking staff on which the shepherd leans (Exod 21:19; Zech 8:4) and with which he guides the sheep. Together, both indicate that the shepherd rules his sheep in a good way by correcting, leading, and protecting them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bbYou prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies\u00bb \u2013 Sheep relax only when they feel safe from external \u00abenemies\u00bb such as predators and snakes, and when rivalry among themselves has been calmed. Then they graze until they are full, lie down peacefully, ruminate, and rest. But God leads His sheep through this world even though they are often surrounded by enemies \u2013 until the last enemy, death, is abolished (1Cor 15:25\u201326).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bbYou have anointed my head with oil\u00bb \u2013 Some translations move here directly into the figurative meaning: \u00abYou welcome me as a host welcomes his guest\u00bb (Ps 23:5). Without doubt David alludes to this deeper meaning, which is found frequently in the Bible. The heads of kings, priests, and prophets \u2013 and of honored guests (Lk 7:46) \u2013 were anointed with oil (and in New Testament symbolism the oil can even be seen as a picture of the Holy Spirit: Acts 10:38; 2Cor 1:21). It is interesting, however, that this verse also describes, on the literal level, the practical procedure of a shepherd treating the animals\u2019 heads with oil. Ectoparasites such as ticks, leeches, lice, biting lice, and louse flies that attach themselves on and in the animal\u2019s skin can be effectively combated in this way. The oil seals their breathing openings (spiracles), causing them to suffocate. Perhaps people back then also already knew about the effect of natural deterrents (repellents) such as sulfur, tar, essences of cedar and lavender, or tannins, which can be mixed in and additionally keep away bothersome insects such as botflies, horseflies, and mosquitoes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bbMy cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever\u00bb \u2013 At the end, the deeper meaning of the psalm comes fully into focus. The overflowing cup is an image of the true shepherd\u2019s boundless readiness to bless and to give. Whereas with earthly shepherds economic considerations and a weighing of effort and benefit determine action, God acts in goodness, favor, love, grace, and mercy because it corresponds to His nature. And whereas sheep are ultimately slaughtered, God\u2019s goal for humans is to be with Him forever.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schafer-Innen.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1805\" height=\"834\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schafer-Innen.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schafer-Innen.jpg 1805w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schafer-Innen-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schafer-Innen-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schafer-Innen-768x355.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schafer-Innen-1536x710.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-schafer-Innen-600x277.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1805px) 100vw, 1805px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In biblical times (and still today) the shepherd\u2019s profession was practiced by both men and women. With Rebekah, Rachel, and Zipporah we know several women who also had to contend with dangerous predators and sometimes even with ruthless male competitors (Ex 2:17).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Why are scientists so sure that sheep can recognize and distinguish not only human voices but also human faces? The experimental setup shown here (after Knolle et al.) produced very convincing results. Since many experiments are structured similarly, it is worth tracing the procedure once using this example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-01.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1397\" height=\"786\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4781\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-01.jpg 1397w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-01-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-01-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-01-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-01-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1397px) 100vw, 1397px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-02-EN-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1439\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-02-EN-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-02-EN-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-02-EN-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-02-EN-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-02-EN-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-02-EN-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-02-EN-2048x1151.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-02-EN-600x337.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-03-EN-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1439\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-03-EN-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-03-EN-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-03-EN-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-03-EN-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-03-EN-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-03-EN-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-03-EN-2048x1151.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-gesichts-erkennung-03-EN-600x337.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>First the sheep discover that the feeder sometimes dispenses treats. Then they realize that their behaviour can cause something to come out. In this way they can be trained (A). They learn a first simple rule: if you nudge the slot above which <em>something<\/em> appears on the screen with your nose, you get a reward. In the second training session they notice that it does not make no difference what appears there, but that <em>only the human face<\/em> should be selected. In the third session they understand that it is about the <em>specific face<\/em> that is already familiar to them. After this conditioning the next round begins (B), and it is no problem for the sheep to recognize again the pretty face of the actress Emma Watson even from other perspectives, with different hairstyles (and further variations: glasses, hat, half covered, etc.). To make the result \u00abwatertight\u00bb, it was also shown that the whole thing works with different sheep and with different faces, and that the learning curves always look similar (C).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the shepherd\u2019s service is inseparably connected with his sheep, this book is primarily about the animals. A detailed consideration of how many instructive aspects the Bible \u2013 Old and New Testament \u2013 connects with shepherding would go beyond the scope. A few hints must suffice. Ezekiel 34 speaks of the leaders of the people of Israel, who were mostly bad shepherds. But the look into the future already reveals Jesus Christ, the ONE shepherd, the \u00abSon of David\u00bb and the \u00abtrue David\u00bb: \u00abAnd I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd\u00bb (Ezek 34:23) and \u00abHe will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young\u00bb (Isa 40:11).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Psalm 23, discussed in the previous section, shows us \u00abour Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep\u00bb (Heb 13:20) as He works in the <em>present<\/em> with believers. The chapter before it, Psalm 22, shows the <em>past<\/em> \u2013 His death and His resurrection \u2013 as John describes them: \u00abI am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep [\u2026] I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again\u00bb (Joh 10:11, 18). The following chapter, Psalm 24, by contrast shows something that will be unveiled only in the <em>future<\/em>: \u00abAnd when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory\u00bb (1Pet 5:4). Then all people will recognize that the \u00abLamb of God\u00bb (Joh 1:29) is also the shepherd: \u00abfor the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water\u00bb (Rev 7:17). Summed up in one sentence: the three messianic psalms 22\u201324 show us the Lord Jesus as the <em>good shepherd<\/em> who died for us (22), the <em>great shepherd<\/em> who shepherds us today and is with us (23), and also the <em>chief shepherd<\/em> whose future, wise rule will never end (24).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Hirtengleichnis-EN-reduziert.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"745\" height=\"944\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Hirtengleichnis-EN-reduziert.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5343\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Hirtengleichnis-EN-reduziert.jpg 745w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Hirtengleichnis-EN-reduziert-237x300.jpg 237w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-Hirtengleichnis-EN-reduziert-600x760.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Nothing expresses wealth in the Bible more often than the size of small-livestock herds, and especially the number of sheep. While for us even the sight of a herd of one hundred animals is impressive, there must have been enormous herds in the Near East at that time. Job already owned 14,000 head of small livestock (Job 42:12). It was probably mostly sheep. In any case, he used dogs to protect them (Job 30:1) and spoke of the wool of his lambs (Job 31:20). A wealthy man like Nabal had 3,000 sheep (1Sam 25:2). And after a great victory over the Midianites, the war booty alone included 675,000 head of small livestock (Num 31:32). The Moabite king Mesha, who ruled in the area of today\u2019s Jordan, paid Israel an annual tribute of 200,000 animals (2Kgs 3:4), and Solomon sacrificed 120,000 sheep at the dedication of the temple (1Kgs 8:63; 2Chr 7:5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ownership of the sheep plays an important role when the flock is used as an image of God\u2019s people. In twenty verses God speaks of His sheep and describes His care: \u00abI will seek my sheep and will seek them out\u00bb (Ezek 34:11) and \u00abMy sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me\u00bb (Joh 10:27) \u2013 \u00abFor he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand\u00bb (Ps 95:7; cf. Ps 79:13; 100:3). The sheep recognize their shepherd and his voice. On various websites with Bible devotions one can find on the internet the story of a shepherd from Karlsruhe whose 111 sheep were stolen. Afterwards, at a loading station in Cologne, he called them out again from a herd of 5,000 animals, which was proof enough for the police officers he had brought along that he was the rightful owner. Perhaps it is only a little \u00abtall tale\u00bb, because unfortunately this description cannot be validated. In any case, it could have happened that way, as another story shows: On 23 October 2019, hobby sheep breeder Karl-Heinz Klee from Pohlheim had six valuable Dorper sheep stolen, which he rediscovered in a flock in Nidda, 40 kilometers away. He was also able to demonstrate to the police that the animals he claimed as his property could be called to him. Unfortunately, the officers did not understand enough about sheep to assess the evidential value of this demonstration correctly, because the ear tags had been exchanged and indicated a different owner. Only when another robbed sheep owner joined them were investigations initiated \u2013 revealing that half of the flock of 200 animals was stolen property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-raub-aufkleerung.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"939\" height=\"840\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-raub-aufkleerung.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4784\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-raub-aufkleerung.jpg 939w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-raub-aufkleerung-300x268.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-raub-aufkleerung-768x687.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-raub-aufkleerung-600x537.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 939px) 100vw, 939px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Karl-Heinz Klee is not only a successful sheep breeder, but also a gifted detective. He found his stolen sheep again in a foreign flock and uncovered the livestock theft. If the police officers had been a bit more familiar with the Bible, they would have known that recognizing the rightful owner\u2019s voice is a very meaningful indication.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Since in Israel several flocks often grazed together (Gen 13:7) or were led to watering places (Gen 29:2\u201310; Ex 2:17), the animals had to be clearly marked so they could be assigned to their owner. This was done either by branding the lower leg of the hind leg or \u2013 especially in breeds with a lot of wool \u2013 by notching the ear. If a shepherd was not tending his own animals, it was important for him to provide the owner with proof when sheep were torn by predators (Ex 22:12). The prophet Amos refers to this ironically when he announces judgment on the northern kingdom of Israel: \u00abAs the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel be rescued\u00bb (Amos 3:12). With these miserable scraps the shepherd could prove that the sheep was lost, but there could be no talk of a \u00abrescue\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ohren-zeugen.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"910\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ohren-zeugen.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4785\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ohren-zeugen.jpg 910w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ohren-zeugen-300x263.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ohren-zeugen-768x673.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-ohren-zeugen-600x526.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Since July 2005, ear tagging has been mandatory for all sheep in the EU. The tags must be made of flexible plastic, tamper-proof, and not reusable. The information on them must be indelible and clearly legible throughout the animal\u2019s entire lifetime. They can be exchanged, as happened in the case of Karl-Heinz Klee, but since each animal is officially registered, the fraud can be uncovered.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A law ordered an interesting parallel to the ownership indication through marking the ear for a servant (actually a slave under Jewish law) who renounces his freedom: \u00abBut if the servant plainly says, \u201cI love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,\u201d then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his servant forever\u00bb (Ex 21:5\u20136). This is a beautiful picture of what the Lord Jesus did as the servant of God (Isa 42:1; 52:13; 53:11; Acts 3:13, 26). Out of love for His Lord (God the Father), His wife (the church), and His children (the people of Israel), He allowed Himself to be pierced, as was prophetically announced: \u00abYou have dug ears for me\u00bb (Ps 40:7 Einh; cf. Heb 10:5\u20137) and He serves forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quer-schnitt.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1210\" height=\"944\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quer-schnitt.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4787\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quer-schnitt.jpg 1210w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quer-schnitt-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quer-schnitt-1024x799.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quer-schnitt-768x599.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-quer-schnitt-600x468.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1210px) 100vw, 1210px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Highly bred wool breeds produce an enormous fleece, as can be clearly seen in this sheep that has been shorn only halfway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00abKnow well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds \u2026 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears, and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field, and there will be enough goats\u2019 milk for your food\u00bb (Prov 27:23\u201327). These verses allow us to infer the ordinary use of domestic animals. While the surplus of young male animals (for slaughter) was sold, and milk production was central with goats, sheep were kept mainly for wool production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-filz-formig.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1006\" height=\"944\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-filz-formig.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-filz-formig.jpg 1006w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-filz-formig-300x282.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-filz-formig-768x721.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-filz-formig-600x563.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1006px) 100vw, 1006px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">While wild sheep are relatively short-haired and shed their winter coat in spring, domestic sheep were bred for wool production. If they are not shorn, the hair keeps growing. From time-to-time animals escape and are found again only much later. Record holders such as Shrek, Chris, Big Ben, and Baarack, shown here, sometimes carry more than 40 kilograms of wool on their bodies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are sheep breeds with very different fleece colors, but this poetic comparison from a love song suggests that in Israel the animals usually wore white wool: \u00abYour teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep that have come up from the washing\u00bb (Song 4:2; cf. 6:6). The statements about God, \u00abwho gives snow like wool\u00bb (Ps 147:16), about Jesus, \u00abthe hair of his head was white, like white wool, like snow\u00bb (Rev 1:14), and the verse \u00abThough your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool\u00bb (Isa 1:18) also point in this direction. Nevertheless, there were also reddish, brown, black, speckled, striped, spotted, and mottled animals (Gen 30:32, 39). But they were evidently considered inferior at the time \u2013 and even if the requirement \u00abwithout blemish\u00bb referred to health, the perfect sacrificial animal, at least in later times, was also \u00abwithout spot\u00bb (cf. 1Pet 1:19).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sheep\u2019s wool (Hebrew: <em>zemer<\/em>, 16x; Aramaic: <em>amar<\/em>, Dan 7:9; and Greek: <em>erion<\/em>, Heb 9:19; Rev 1:14) was a sought-after commodity in antiquity (Ezek 27:18) and had great economic importance until the modern cultivation of cotton and the development of synthetic fibers. The shearing of sheep brought sheep owners the main yield of the year and was celebrated as <em>chag ha-gez<\/em> \u2013 the \u00abfeast of shearing\u00bb (Gen 31:19; 38:12; Deut 18:4; 1Sam 25:2; 2Sam 13:23).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wolle-Aufbau_und_Eigenschaften-EN-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1017\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wolle-Aufbau_und_Eigenschaften-EN-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wolle-Aufbau_und_Eigenschaften-EN-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wolle-Aufbau_und_Eigenschaften-EN-300x119.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wolle-Aufbau_und_Eigenschaften-EN-1024x407.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wolle-Aufbau_und_Eigenschaften-EN-768x305.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wolle-Aufbau_und_Eigenschaften-EN-1536x610.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wolle-Aufbau_und_Eigenschaften-EN-2048x814.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wolle-Aufbau_und_Eigenschaften-EN-600x238.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The graphic shows the complex structure of a single hair. Because of its special advantages and functions, sheep\u2019s wool has been sought after since earliest times, and to this day it is an important commodity. Over the past 30 years, the fluctuating price for one kilogram of raw wool has been around 5\u201315 euros.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Even today, in sheep regions such as Australia, large \u00absheep shearing festivals\u00bb are held, often including a competition among the best shearers. The world champions are true athletes and powerhouses. On the site <a href=\"https:\/\/shearingrecords.co.nz\">https:\/\/shearingrecords.co.nz<\/a> you can find the current record holders. Their performances are incredible. On 28 January 2023, Aidan Copp shorn 605 lambs in a row! He might have managed four or five more, but he ran out of animals when he still had 4 minutes and 36 seconds to go before reaching the 8-hour time limit. Thick books have been written about the special properties and qualities of sheep\u2019s wool. The illustration above at least gives a small impression of the complexity of its structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-01.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1414\" height=\"811\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4789\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-01.jpg 1414w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-01-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-01-1024x587.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-01-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-01-600x344.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1414px) 100vw, 1414px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-02.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1451\" height=\"841\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4790\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-02.jpg 1451w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-02-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-02-1024x594.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-02-768x445.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-scher-krafte-02-600x348.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1451px) 100vw, 1451px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sheep shearing is hard labor, shown here by the Australian painter Tom Roberts (1856\u20131931). The class photo of a shearing school in Christchurch (New Zealand) could just as well show a squad of middleweight wrestlers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The most frequently prescribed sacrificial animals were \u00abone-year-old lambs without blemish\u00bb, mentioned in 52 Bible verses. In the framework of ordinary temple service alone, more than a thousand lambs were sacrificed per year. Daily, every morning and every evening, one was burned as a \u00abregular offering\u00bb (Ex 29:39; Num 28:4), on the Sabbath two additional (Num 28:9), and at the beginning of the month seven additional (Num 28:11). At six \u00abfeasts of the LORD\u00bb, seven each \u2013 and during the Feast of Booths a total of 106 (Num 28\u201329) more. They were driven through the Sheep Gate to the north (<em>scha\u2019ar ha-zon<\/em>: Neh 3:1, 32; 12:39; <em>probatikos<\/em>: Joh 5:2) into the nearby temple precinct, to be sold there to pilgrims (Joh 2:14) and later sacrificed on the altar. The lamb is the sacrifice par excellence and often stands representatively for all other sacrificial animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-widder-part.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1319\" height=\"942\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-widder-part.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4791\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-widder-part.jpg 1319w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-widder-part-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-widder-part-1024x731.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-widder-part-768x548.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-widder-part-600x429.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1319px) 100vw, 1319px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The ram uses its horns, the image of its strength (Dan 8:7), not to fight and defend itself, but it gets caught in the thorn thicket \u2013 an image of the curse of sin (cf. Gen 3:18) \u2013 as the Scottish painter Jemima Blackburn (1823\u20131909) depicts in this picture. Thus, Abraham can take it and offer it. This points to the Lord Jesus, who used His power to deal with the sin of humans. It kept Him from \u00abgoing out free\u00bb (cf. Ex21:5; Lk 22:42) and was judged on Him as the substitutionary sacrifice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although there were already indications in the Old Testament that animal sacrifices could not be a final solution to the problem of human guilt and sin, that was hard for the Jews to imagine. Prophetic statements about God\u2019s saving action, such as Isaiah 53:7: \u00abHe was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth\u00bb, became clear only after they had been fulfilled. John the Baptist had already referred to it when he said about the Lord Jesus: \u00abBehold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!\u00bb (Joh 1:29, 36), but what that truly meant even His disciples recognized only after their risen Lord met them. Later, in his encounter with the Ethiopian official, Philip could refer precisely to this verse from Isaiah \u00aband beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus\u00bb (Acts 8:35). The early Christians from Jews and nations now understood that God had redeemed them \u00abwith the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot\u00bb (1Pet 1:19). Perhaps we, too, will one day realize that we do not yet fully know our Lord. As a human being He displayed the lamb-like qualities \u00abgentle and lowly in heart\u00bb (Mt 11:29), and so He still meets us today. But when the time of grace is past, the \u00abwrath of the Lamb\u00bb (Rev 6:16) \u2013 an almost paradoxical expression \u2013 brings merciless judgments upon humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A special sheep story goes back to Julius Anton von Poseck (1816\u20131896), one of the founding fathers of the \u00abBrethren movement\u00bb in Germany. He knew the Bible, but studied philosophy in M\u00fcnster and Berlin and, as a successful and wealthy young man of noble descent and impeccable reputation, saw no reason to recognize himself as a sinner and ask God for forgiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On 15 August 1848, however, his attitude changed drastically. While taking part in the celebrations for the 600th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of Cologne Cathedral, a stone broke loose from the balustrade of the building and crushed a young woman who was standing where he himself had been shortly before. He realized that as long as he rejects Jesus as Savior, he will one day meet Him as Judge: \u00abEveryone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him\u00bb (Lk 20:18). That led him to repent and confess his sins to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-fall-beispiel.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"939\" src=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-fall-beispiel.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4792\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-fall-beispiel.jpg 934w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-fall-beispiel-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-fall-beispiel-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-fall-beispiel-768x772.jpg 768w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-fall-beispiel-600x603.jpg 600w, https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/HP-fall-beispiel-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">St. Ludgerus Church in Essen-Werden is considered one of the most important late Romanesque church buildings in the Rhineland. The arrow points to the sculpture of the sheep whose death saved a master roofer\u2019s life. The Essen \u00abStadtspiegel\u00bb says about it: \u00abThe people of Werden saw in this rescue a miracle of St. Liudger, the founder of the Benedictine abbey.\u00bb Good that Julius Anton von Poseck saw more in it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A few years later he visited St. Ludgerus Church in Essen-Werden. During a guided tour, the stone sculpture of a sheep set into the masonry below the roof edge was explained: \u00abWhen a roofer was repairing the damaged church roof, the hook to which his ladder was fastened tore loose. His dreadful fall into the depths, which would certainly have brought him death, was softened by the fact that he fell onto the soft back of a lamb that was grazing below on the lawn and was crushed by the falling man. Thus, the roofer escaped with his life; not a single limb was broken. Out of a grateful heart for this grace of God\u2019s protection, he had the lamb carved from stone and installed in the masonry of the roof edge.\u00bb This story moved von Poseck deeply because it illustrates how Jesus, as the Lamb of God, took our place. We are saved and kept \u2013 \u00abBut he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities\u00bb (Isa 53:5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-small-font-size is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"line-height:1\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<p><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arden, H; Allard, WA: <em>The two souls of Peru<\/em>. National Geographic 1982; 161(3):284-300<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atteneder, V: <em>Analyse der Zwillings- und Mehrlingsgeburten<\/em>. Universit\u00e4t Wien, Institut f\u00fcr Nutztierwissenschaften, Arbeitsgruppe Tierzucht, Diplomarbeit 2007; <a href=\"https:\/\/epub.boku.ac.at\/obvbokhs\/content\/titleinfo\/1035817\/full.pdf\">https:\/\/epub.boku.ac.at\/obvbokhs\/content\/titleinfo\/1035817\/full.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Baumgartner, S: <em>Innere Parasiten bei Schafen und Ziegen<\/em>. Landwirtschaftszentrum SG 2019; Fachstelle Kleinvieh \/ Herdenschutz; Merkblatt 1. Ausgabe 1. Mai 2019; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sg.ch\/umwelt-natur\/landwirtschaft\/lzsg\/Beratung\/tierhaltung\/ziegen-und-schafe\">https:\/\/www.sg.ch\/umwelt-natur\/landwirtschaft\/lzsg\/Beratung\/tierhaltung\/ziegen-und-schafe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bohan, A; Shalloo, L; Creighton, P: <em>A survey of management practices and flock performance and their association with flock size and ewe breed type on Irish sheep farms<\/em>. The Journal of Agricultural Science 2017; 155(8):1332-1341; doi: 10.1017\/S0021859617000399<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bundesministerium der Justiz: <em>Verordnung zum Schutz gegen die Verschleppung von Tierseuchen im Viehverkehr (Viehverkehrsverordnung &#8211; ViehVerkV) Anlage 9 (zu \u00a7 34 Absatz 3 und 4) Ohrmarken zur Kennzeichnung von Schafen und Ziegen<\/em>; aufgerufen am 27.11.2023; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/viehverkv_2007\/anlage_9.html\">https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/viehverkv_2007\/anlage_9.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Denge, T: <em>Freilaufendes Merino-Schaf in Australien: Schaf \u201eChris\u201c von 42 Kilogramm Wolle befreit<\/em>. Tagesspiegel vom 03.09.2015; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tagesspiegel.de\/gesellschaft\/panorama\/schaf-chris-von-42-kilogramm-wolle-befreit-3656665.html\">https:\/\/www.tagesspiegel.de\/gesellschaft\/panorama\/schaf-chris-von-42-kilogramm-wolle-befreit-3656665.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr\u00f6se, B: <em>Die wundersame Rettung des Dachdeckermeisters<\/em>. Stadt-Spiegel 21.01.2023; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lokalkompass.de\/essen-west\/c-kultur\/die-wundersame-rettung-des-dachdeckermeisters_a1825024\">https:\/\/www.lokalkompass.de\/essen-west\/c-kultur\/die-wundersame-rettung-des-dachdeckermeisters_a1825024<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Epstein, H: <em>Fettschwanz- und Fettstei\u00dfschafe<\/em> (S. 6, Abb. 1, Wagen f\u00fcr den Fettschwanz). Wittenberg (A. Ziemsen) 1970<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hermes, W: <em>Hermann Heinrich Grafe und seine Zeit<\/em>. Witten (Bundes) 1933; Ausz\u00fcge daraus (p. 14-15), 2008 unter <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bruederbewegung.de\/pdf\/hermes.pdf\">http:\/\/www.bruederbewegung.de\/pdf\/hermes.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Israelnetz: <em>Erste Jakobschafe in Israel eingetroffen<\/em>. 08.12.2016; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.israelnetz.com\/erste-jakobschafe-in-israel-eingetroffen\">https:\/\/www.israelnetz.com\/erste-jakobschafe-in-israel-eingetroffen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>JTA: <em>9 Israeli teens killed, 1 missing after getting caught in flash flood<\/em>. Jewish Telegraphic Agency 26.04.2018; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jta.org\/2018\/04\/26\/israel\/7-israeli-teens-critically-injured-least-3-others-missing-flash-floods-hit-area-hiking\">https:\/\/www.jta.org\/2018\/04\/26\/israel\/7-israeli-teens-critically-injured-least-3-others-missing-flash-floods-hit-area-hiking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keller, WP: <em>Psalm 23 \u2013 Aus der Sicht eines Schafhirten<\/em>. Asslar (Schulte &#038; Gerth) 1992<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knolle, F; Goncalves, RP; Morton, AJ: <em>Sheep recognize familiar and unfamiliar human faces from two-dimensional images<\/em>. Royal Society Open Science 2017; 4(11):171228; doi: 10.1098\/rsos.171228<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marino, L; Merskin, D: <em>Intelligence, complexity, and individuality in sheep<\/em>. Animal Sentience 2019; 25(1)1-26; doi: 10.51291\/2377-7478.1374<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Markwick, G: <em>Water Requirements for Sheep<\/em>. Profitable &#038; Sustainable Primary Industries 2007; prime facts 326; <a href=\"https:\/\/livestock-emergency.net\/userfiles\/file\/water-supply\/Marwick-2007.pdf\">https:\/\/livestock-emergency.net\/userfiles\/file\/water-supply\/Marwick-2007.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moore, NW; Halnan, CRE; McKee, JJ: <em>Studies on hybridization between a Barbary ram (Ammotragus lervia) and domestic ewes (Ovis aries) and nanny goats (Capra hircus)<\/em>. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 1981; 61:79-82<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Podbregar, N: <em>Schafe erkennen unsere Gesichter<\/em>. Bild der Wissenschaft, 8. November 2017; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wissenschaft.de\/erde-umwelt\/schafe-erkennen-unsere-gesichter\">https:\/\/www.wissenschaft.de\/erde-umwelt\/schafe-erkennen-unsere-gesichter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schafschur-Rekorde: <a href=\"https:\/\/shearingrecords.co.nz\/index.html\">https:\/\/shearingrecords.co.nz\/index.html<\/a>, abgerufen am 25.03.2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Searby, A; Jouventin, P: <em>Mother-lamb acoustic recognition in sheep: a frequency coding<\/em>. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 2003; Biological Sciences 270:1765-71; doi: 10.1098\/rspb.2003.2442<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Siwiaszczyk, M; Love, S; Chaillou, E: <em>\u201cBAA, BAA\u201d: Can sheep talk to each other?<\/em> Neuroscience and Psychology, Frontiers for Young Minds 2022; 10:703514; doi: 10.3389\/frym.2022.703514<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Skaggs, R: <em>Lion and Lamb in the Apocalypse of John<\/em>. Academia Letters 2020; 87; doi: 10.20935\/AL87<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wilson, AD: <em>Water consumption and water turnover of sheep grazing semiarid pasture<\/em>. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 1974; 25:339-347; doi: 10.1071\/AR9740339<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zahedi, A; Ryan, U; Rawlings, V: <em>Cryptosporidium and Giardia in dam water on sheep farms \u2013 An important source of transmission?<\/em> Veterinary Parasitology 2020; 288:109281; doi: 10.1016\/j.vetpar.2020.109281<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-small-font-size is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"line-height:1\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<p><strong>Image Credits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wikipedia: sheep lying on its back \/ Erin Evan \/\/ sheep \u2013 half shorn \/ Paul \/\/ sheep shearer at work \/ lQEDjT-_MXaMJQ at Google Cultural Institute \/\/ sheep shearer class \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/livingheritage.lincoln.ac.nz\/nodes\/view\/7472\">https:\/\/livingheritage.lincoln.ac.nz\/nodes\/view\/7472<\/a> \/\/ ram in the thorns \/ Jemima Blackburn \/\/ Ludgerus Church, Essen \/ Zairon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>other licenses: cover title \u2013 sheep with lamb \/ Shutterstock ID_2303507213 \/ imageBROKER.com \/\/ Jacob sheep \/ Shutterstock ID_459140173 \/ Nancy Kennedy \/\/ fat-rumped sheep \/ Shutterstock ID_1996045622 \/ Alan Sau \/\/ fat-tailed sheep \/ Shutterstock ID_576400528 \/ mikluha_maklai \/\/ shepherd in Pakistan \/ Shutterstock ID_511167769 \/ Saga Photo and Video \/\/ sheep being turned over by a shepherd \/ Shutterstock ID_1547984420 \/ Sarnia \/\/ shepherdess with flock \/ Shutterstock ID_1449066131 \/ Sakdawut Tangtongsap \/\/ hand with shepherd\u2019s staff \/ Shutterstock ID_2061886700 \/ ArtMari \/\/ sheep with ear tags \u2013 isolated \/ Shutterstock ID_1513687982 \/ Clara Bastian \/\/ sheep rescued by the shepherd \/ Alfred Usher Soord<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The sheep is by far the most frequently mentioned animal in the Bible and appears in some way in more than 500 verses.<br \/> No other[\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4447,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"remove_blocks_before_content":false,"remove_blocks_after_content":false,"disable_reading_progress_bar":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-animals-of-the-field"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4445"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4445\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5350,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4445\/revisions\/5350"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4445"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4445"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}