בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים (bet-e.qed ha.ro.im)
bet-e.qed ha.ro.im
House of Shepherds; to pasture; to accompany; to befriend
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 123 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The phrase bet-eqed ha-roim translates literally as "house of the shepherds" or, in some scholarly reconstructions, "binding-house of the shepherds." It appears as a proper noun in only one verse, 2 Kings 10:12, where it names a location. The term combines bet ("house") with eqed, which can mean binding or association, and roim, the plural for shepherds.
This place name likely reflects a settlement known for its pastoral community or perhaps a specific function related to tending flocks. While the exact nature of this "binding" remains unclear, the imagery connects leadership, care, and community in ancient Israelite society.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The phrase 'House of Shepherds' appears in 2 Kings 10:12 as a specific location, yet its components invite us to think about care and community. In ancient Israel, shepherds were not merely workers but leaders responsible for the safety and sustenance of their flocks. This imagery suggests a place where people looked after one another, bound together by shared duty and mutual support.
For your faith life, this word reminds us that we are part of a larger flock under God’s watchful eye. Just as earthly shepherds tended to their animals, God tends to His people with patience and provision. You can find comfort in knowing that your daily needs are met by One who knows you intimately, much like a shepherd knows each sheep.
When you feel overwhelmed or alone, remember that you belong to a community cared for by the Divine Shepherd. This connection offers stability in uncertain times, grounding your heart in the assurance that you are never truly abandoned.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 123 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ shepherds12×
- shepherds8×
- they will graze5×
- the/ shepherd5×
- a shepherd5×
- to/ shepherd4×
- [the] herdsmen of4×
- shepherding3×
- shepherd/ my3×
- shepherd3×
- pasturing3×
- and/ [one who] associates with3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רֹעֵ֣י4×
- רֹעִ֖ים4×
- רֹעֶ֣ה3×
- רֹעִ֔ים3×
- לִ/רְע֛וֹת3×
- יִרְעֶ֥ה3×
- יִרְע֔וּ3×
- תִרְעֶ֤ה2×
- רֹעֶ֛ה2×
- רֹעֶ֖ה2×
- רֹעֶ֔ה2×
- רֹעֶ֑ה2×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 23:1
A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.
David uses the shepherd metaphor to express total trust in God’s provision, showing how the concept of shepherding translates to spiritual reliance.
-
Genesis 48:15
He blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day,
Jacob recalls God as the one who has fed him all his life, connecting the physical act of feeding flocks to God’s lifelong sustenance of His people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'House of Shepherds' mean?
Why is this place name significant?
How does this relate to God's care?
Every Occurrence (123 verses across 23 books)
Genesis 20 verses
Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Genesis 13:7There was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the…
Genesis 13:8Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for…
Genesis 26:20The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well…
Genesis 29:7He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go…
Genesis 29:9While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she kept them.
Genesis 30:31Laban said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I…
Genesis 30:36He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
Genesis 36:24These are the children of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he fed…
Genesis 37:2This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his…
Genesis 37:12His brothers went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.
Genesis 37:13Israel said to Joseph, “Aren’t your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” He said…
Genesis 37:16He said, “I am looking for my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are feeding the flock.”
Genesis 41:2Behold, seven cattle came up out of the river. They were sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass.
Genesis 41:18and behold, seven fat and sleek cattle came up out of the river. They fed in the marsh grass;
Genesis 46:32These men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks, and their herds,…
Genesis 46:34that you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we, and our…
Genesis 47:3Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” They said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we,…
Genesis 48:15He blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my…
Genesis 49:24But his bow remained strong. The arms of his hands were made strong, by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, (from…