עֵ֫דֶר (e.der)
e.der
flock
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 29 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun eder refers to a flock or herd, describing a group of animals gathered together. Its root sense implies an arrangement or muster, suggesting that the animals are not merely wandering individually but are organized as a collective unit. This word appears frequently in Genesis when Jacob encounters shepherds and their flocks at the well (Genesis 29:2-8), highlighting the practical reality of livestock management in the ancient Near East.
While it generally denotes sheep or goats, the term carries significant theological weight when applied to people. In Jeremiah 13:17, God laments over the "flock of Jehovah," using eder to describe Israel as His gathered people. This usage underscores a relationship of care and ownership, where the leader is responsible for the safety and direction of the entire group rather than just individual members.
The word also appears in poetic literature, such as Song of Solomon 6:5, where beloved eyes are compared to doves beside "flocks" (or herds) of goats. This vivid imagery connects human beauty with the pastoral life familiar to its original audience. By focusing on the collective nature of the group, eder emphasizes community and order over isolation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word eder describes a flock not as a random collection of individuals, but as an organized group gathered under care. In the ancient Near East, this meant sheep stayed together near a shared water source, protected by a shepherd who knew each one. This image offers comfort for our own lives, reminding us that we are part of a community rather than isolated wanderers.
Scripture frequently uses this term to describe God’s relationship with His people. When Jeremiah speaks of the "flock of Jehovah," it highlights a bond of ownership and protection. It suggests that even in times of distress or captivity, there is a divine shepherd who gathers and guides. This perspective shifts our focus from personal anxiety to communal trust.
Whether you are reflecting on the pastoral scenes in Genesis or the poetic imagery in Song of Solomon, this word points to order and safety. It invites us to find rest in the knowledge that we are held within a larger, purposeful design. May you feel the peace of being part of this gathered people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 29 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ flocks3×
- flock/ his3×
- flocks2×
- [the] flocks of2×
- [is] like/ [the] flock of2×
- [are] like/ [the] flock of2×
- with <the>/ flock1×
- to/ [the] herds1×
- like/ a flock1×
- like <the>/ flock1×
- herds1×
- from/ the/ flock1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּ/עֵ֣דֶר4×
- עֶדְרֵ֥י2×
- עֵ֥דֶר2×
- עֲדָרִים֙2×
- עֶדְרֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- עֶדְרֵי\־1×
- עֶדְרֵ֣י1×
- עֶדְר֣/וֹ1×
- עֶדְר/וֹ֙1×
- עֲדָרִֽים\׃1×
- עֲדָרִ֑ים1×
- מֵ/הָ/עֵֽדֶר\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 29:3
There all the flocks were gathered. They rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone back on the well’s mouth in its place.
This verse illustrates the practical necessity of gathering, showing how the community relied on collective action to access water.
-
Jeremiah 13:17
But if you will not hear it, my soul will weep in secret for your pride. My eye will weep bitterly, and run down with tears, because Yahweh’s flock has been taken captive.
Here the term shifts from animals to people, expressing God's deep sorrow over the dispersion and captivity of His chosen community.
-
Psalms 78:52
But he led out his own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
The psalmist uses this word to describe God’s guidance of Israel through the wilderness, emphasizing divine leadership during a journey.
-
Isaiah 40:11
He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.
This passage connects the shepherd’s care for literal lambs with His gentle leading of those who are weak or vulnerable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does eder mean in the Bible?
How is eder different from other words for sheep?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Every Occurrence (29 verses across 15 books)
Genesis 4 verses
He looked, and saw a well in the field, and saw three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they…
Genesis 29:3There all the flocks were gathered. They rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the…
Genesis 29:8They said, “We can’t, until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth. Then…
Genesis 30:40Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the streaked and all the black in Laban’s flock. He…