Psalm 23:1,274:177:20Isaiah 40:1153:6John 10:1-5,7-16

"The sheep of Palestine are longer in the head than ours, and have tails from 5 inches broad at the narrowest part to 15 inches at the widest, the weight being in proportion, and ranging generally from 10 to 14 lbs., but sometimes extending to 30 lbs. The tails are indeed huge masses of fat" (Geikie's Holy Land, etc.). The tail was no doubt the "rump" so frequently referred to in the Levitical sacrifices (Exodus 29:22; Leviticus 3:9; 7:3; 9:19 ). Sheep-shearing was generally an occasion of great festivity (Genesis 31:19; 38:12,13; 1 Samuel 25:4-8,36; 2 Samuel 13:23-28 ).