<OL TYPE="1"><LI>a herdsman, esp. a shepherd<OL TYPE="a"><LI>in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow</OL><LI>metaph.<OL TYPE="a"><LI>the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church<OL TYPE="1"><LI>of the overseers of the Christian assemblies<LI>of kings and princes</OL></OL></OL>The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were: - to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep - to defend the sheep from attackers - to heal the wounded and sick sheep - to find and save lost or trapped sheep - to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.