The Sheep of Kedar in Psalm 120 and 148
The "sheep of Kedar" are mentioned in biblical texts, primarily in the context of the Kedarites, an Arabian nomadic tribe known for their flocks. While Psalm 120:5 refers to dwelling "among the tents of Kedar" as a lament, Psalm 148:10 includes "Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl" in a call for all creation to praise the Lord, with "sheep" being a prominent type of cattle [1, 2].
Kedar was an Ishmaelite territory in Arabia, and its inhabitants were known for their nomadic lifestyle and their flocks and herds [8, 6]. Isaiah 42:11 describes the "villages that Kedar inhabits" raising their voices in praise, indicating their presence in the wilderness [3]. The Kedarites were also recognized as a belligerent people [6]. Their flocks were significant enough to be mentioned in trade with Tyre [6].
In Psalm 120:5, the psalmist expresses distress, saying, "Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!" [1]. This verse is interpreted as the psalmist feeling anguish due to alienation and conflict, with Meshech and Kedar representing apostate and violent lands [8]. Augustine of Hippo, in his Exposition on Psalms, interprets "Kedar" as signifying "darkness," suggesting a spiritual dwelling among those who are in darkness [7].
In contrast, the mention of sheep in Psalm 148:10 is part of a universal call to praise. This psalm lists various elements of creation, from celestial bodies to earthly creatures, to glorify God [2]. Sheep were an important part of the ancient Hebrews' possessions, used for sacrificial offerings, food, and clothing [5]. The care of a shepherd for his flock is frequently used in Scripture to illustrate God's care for His people [4].
The "flocks of Kedar" are also referenced in other prophetic books. Isaiah 60:7 speaks of the "flocks of Kedar" and "rams of Nebaioth" coming to minister to the Lord, suggesting a future conversion and offering from these peoples [11]. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalm 65:13, connects the "flocks of Kedar" to a multitude of converts gathering around the church [9].
Rabbinic tradition, as seen in Midrash Rabbah, offers a metaphorical interpretation of the "tents of Kedar." It suggests that just as the tents of Kedar might appear outwardly "ugly, black, and in tatters" but contain "gems and pearls" internally, so too Torah scholars may appear outwardly humble but possess profound internal wisdom [10]. This highlights a symbolic understanding of Kedar beyond its literal geographical and tribal identity.
Sources
- Psalms “Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! -- Psalms 120:5”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 148:10 — Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:”
- Isaiah “Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices, with the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing. Let them shout from the top of the mountains! -- Isaiah 42:11”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sheep — Are of different varieties. Probably the flocks of Abraham and Isaac were of the wild species found still in the mountain regions of Persia and Kurdistan. After the Exodus, and as a result of intercourse with surrounding nations, other species were no doubt introduced into the herds of the people of Israel. They are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The care of a shepherd over his flock is referred to as illustrating God's care over his people (Ps. 23:1, 2; 74:1; 77:20; Isa. 40:11; 53:6; John 10:1-5, 7-16). "The sheep of Palestine are longer in the head than”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Sheep — Sheep were an important part of the possessions of the ancient Hebrews and of eastern nations generally. The first mention of sheep occurs in (Genesis 4:2) They were used in the sacrificial offering, as, both the adult animal, (Exodus 20:24) and the lamb. See (Exodus 29:28; Leviticus 9:3; 12:6) Sheep and lambs formed an important article of food. (1 Samuel 25:18) The wool was used as clothing. (Leviticus 13:47) "Rams skins dyed red" were used as a covering for the tabernacle. (Exodus 25:5) Sheep and lambs were sometimes paid as tribute. (2 Kings 3:4) It is ver”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 49:28: 49:28-33 The nomads of Kedar roamed freely in the upper Arabian Desert east of Palestine. They were a belligerent people (Ps 120:5-7; Isa 21:13-16) who raised flocks and herds for lucrative trade with Tyre (Ezek 27:21). • Hazor was a region east of Damascus inhabited by nomads. • The poem urges King Nebuchadnezzar to attack, and it describes the impact of the battles. 49:28-29 The Babylonians wanted to defeat the warriors of Kedar so they could capture their rich household goods and camels.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM CXX.(2) (part 4): Church herself, who toileth on this earth. It is her voice, which crieth out from the ends of the earth in another Psalm, saying, "From the ends of the earth have I cried unto Thee.(2) ... Where then doth he groan, and among whom doth he dwell? "I have had my habitation among the tents of Kedar." Since this is a Hebrew word, beyond doubt ye have not understood it. What meaneth, "I have had my habitation among the tents of Kedar"? "Kedar," as far as we remember of the interpretation of Hebrew words, signifieth darkness. "Ke”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 120:5: 120:5-7 The psalmist feels the anguish of alienation, isolation, and perpetual conflict. 120:5 Meshech was a Japhethite territory far to the north of Canaan. Kedar was an Ishmaelite territory in Arabia. Violent people lived in both locations. Meshech was the home of a famous slave trade (Ezek 27:13; cp. Exod 21:16) and Kedar of renowned warriors (Isa 21:16-17). These places can be understood as representative of the apostate, violent land where the psalmist suffered.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 65:13: The pastures are clothed with flocks,.... Of sheep, which are so thick, that there is scarce anything to be seen upon the pastures but them; which look as if they were clothed with them: these may intend the multitude of converts, signified by the flocks of Kedar, and rams of Nebaioth; which gathering about the church, and joining to her, she clothes herself with them as with an ornament, Isa 60:7 it may be rendered the "rams clothe", or "cover, the flocks" (s); or the flocks are clothed, or covered, with the rams, as expressive of their copulation with them; and so ”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:5:4: “Like the tents of Kedar,” just as the tents of Kedar appear externally to be ugly, black, and in tatters, but internally they are gems and pearls, so too Torah scholars, even though they appear ugly and black in this world, internally there is Torah in them, Bible, Mishna, Midrash, halakhot , Talmud, Tosefta , and aggada . If so, just as tents of Kedar do not require laundering, perhaps the same is true of Israel; the verse states: “Like the curtains of Solomon”—just as these curtains of Solomon are soiled and laundered, and are again soiled and lau”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 60:7: Kedar-- (Isa 21:16; Sol 1:5), in the south of Arabia-Deserta, or north of Arabia-PetrÃ&brvbra; they traded in flocks (Eze 27:21). Nebaioth--son of Ishmael, as was Kedar. Father of the Nabatheans in Arabia-PetrÃ&brvbra. minister--by coming up as an acceptable sacrifice. come up with acceptance--that is, acceptably. The rams offering themselves voluntarily (Psa 68:30; Rom 12:1; Pe1 2:5), without waiting for any other priest, answer to believers strong in faith and lamb-like meekness; and in the white fleece-like robe of sanctity [VITRINGA]. house”