摘要：The metaphor of shepherd is often used to provide a biblical understanding of the functions
and role of the pastor. The image of the shepherd is a powerful metaphor for God¡¯s care for
His people, and can be quite useful in pastoral care as an example of the character and nature
of the compassionate and just God who intimately cares for His people. Psalm 23 and
Ezekiel 34 contribute significantly to this motif. However, caution must be taken as to not
simply correlate the work of God described in these passages to the role and function of the
pastor in the twenty-first century. The primary concern of the shepherd metaphor is not a
prescription of pastoral functions, but description of God Himself as revealed in the
incarnation of Christ as the ¡®Good Shepherd¡¯ (Jn. 10:11); the ¡®one Shepherd¡¯ (Jn. 10:16;
Ezek. 34:23; 37:24); the ¡®great Shepherd¡¯ (Heb. 13:20). The metaphor of shepherd in the Old
Testament is generally an anthropomorphic representation of Yahweh.
