i :8 ; Jer. xxxv :7), the removal of which was easily effected (Is. xxxviii :i2). In certain locali ties, moreover, towers were erected for the double purpose of spying an enemy at a distance and pro tecting the flock; such towers were erected by Uzziah and Jotham (2 Chron, xxvi xxvii :4), while their existence in earlier times is testified by the name Migdal-Eder (Gen. xxxv :2I, A. V. "tower of Edar ;" Mic. iv :8, A. V. "tower of the flock"). (See SHEEP; PASTURAGE.) Figuratit.'e. (I) Political rulers in the state, and captains in the army, are called shepherds or postors; their office requires them to gather, lead, protect, and provide for the welfare of their subjects and armies, which are their flocks (Is. xliv :28, and lxiii :14 ; Jer. xii :to, and xxv :34; Neh. :18; Jer. xxiii ; Ezek. xxxiv). (2) Per haps the shepherd and stone of Israel, signifies not God, the source of all blessings, but Joshua, Gideon, and other rulers of Israel, descended from the tribes of Ephraim, or Manasseh, who as shepherds, ruled, and as a stone established the Hebrew nation (Gen. xlix :24). (3) The Chal &can princes and their armies were the shepherds and docks that ruined Judah (Jer. vi :3, and xii : to). (4) Christ is God's Shepherd; because his father has given him his flock of chosen men, and appointed him to die for, call, and feed them (Zech. xiii :7). (5) He is called the one Shep
herd; because lie alone owns the sheep, and can in every respect answer and supply all their wants (Ezek. xxxiv :23 ; John x :16). (6) He is called the great and chief Shepherd; he is infinitely great in himself ; lie is highly exalted as our Mediator ; he has the supreme management of the church in his hand; and ministers and magistrates but in struments subject to him (hIel). xiii :20; I Pet. v : 4). (7) He is the good Shepherd; in infinite kind ness he redeemed his sheep from ruin, by the price of his blood ; kindly he sympathizes with them, and gives them his own flesh and blood for their pro vision; and nothing good will he withhold from them (John x 24). (8) He is the Shepherd and Bishop of souls; it is men's souls he leads, restores and satisfies; and their spiritual and eternal inter ests are the great 'object of his care (I Pet. ii :25; Ps. xxiii :2, 3; Jer. xxxi :27). (9) Ministers are shepherds; it is their work to gather, lead, watch over, feed with sound doctrine, and every way endeavor to promote the spiritual life, safety, growth, health, and comfort of their people (John xxi :15, 16; Eph. iv :II ; I Pet. v :1-4)•