Jehovah Rohi

Jehovah Rohi

David was the first to formalize this name for God. 

The Lord [Yahweh] is my shepherd [Rohi]; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

Although the word shepherd is used in many places in the Old Testament, this name for God, Jehovah Rohi, is not actually used anywhere else except in Psalm 23. It was not until the New Testament that Jesus was known as the Good Shepherd and the positive attributes of the shepherd were really emphasized. 

The Lord is my Shepherd

David wrote this poem long after his shepherding days had passed, probably during the time that he was king. Many think he wrote it at a time of great distress in his life. What can we glean from this very earnest poem? Let’s try to get into David’s mind as he poured out his heart and soul to God. David began his song like this:

The Lord is my Shepherd …

He may have thought: ‘well, I was a shepherd and I know what I did for my flocks. I wonder, does God shepherd me in the way that I shepherded my flocks?’

He might have thought about his sheep, about how he cared for them and how much he loved them. He remembered that he was careful to keep them close so that they would not wander into harm or get lost. ‘Would God do any less for me now?’ he might have pondered.

… I shall not want.

‘Yes,’ he thought, ‘my sheep never lacked for any good thing. I always made sure they had plenty of grass, and we moved on when the supply got short. We always had water at hand also. At shearing time, I was careful with them so that they did not get nicked or harmed with my shears. My sheep didn’t want for anything. With God as my Shepherd, I, also, do not want for anything.’ 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures …

‘My sheep always felt safe. They were never afraid to rest and lie down in the places that I prepared for them. I should not carry my worry with me because God frames my rest. He keeps me safe.’

… he leadeth me beside the still waters.

‘I never took my sheep where there were steep cliffs by the water. I never took them to where the current could carry any of them away. I always made sure the water was safe for them and it was a peaceful place for them to rest. Would God do any less for me than I did for my sheep?’

He restoreth my soul …

‘My sheep knew me. Whenever they came near to me to nuzzle my cheek, I was gentle with them. I caressed them and spoke to them. They knew my voice and the sound of my music. Just so, I know the voice of my God. His gentle voice refreshes me daily.’

… he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

‘My sheep always followed me. They felt secure as long as they could see me and hear me. I never had to go to the back of the flock to drive them forward. This encourages me that even though I am in a difficult place, God will lead me through it.’ 

He Shepherds me

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me …

As David developed his theme, he thought about the times that he was personally in danger, not just his sheep. One of the most terrifying places for him to take his flock was the place that he called the Valley of the Shadow of Death. It was not only the sheep that could be harmed there, but he was also in danger from wild animals and robbers. But he thought of all of the times that he had safely traversed this local hazard and was unworried comforted in his current situation.

… thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Just as he used his own rod and staff to drive away wild animals and to protect and guide his flock, he thought of all of the times that God must have done much the same for him. What a comfort to realize that Someone cared enough to guide him when he was feeling lost. Now that he had the weight of a nation on his shoulders, he leaned into that guidance and comfort of God’s staff.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies …

As David looked back on his time with his sheep, he thought of all of the many times that he sat down to a meal, not knowing what was lurking behind the boulders and trees. It was as if he was flaunting his presence in the front of unknown foes. There was no way he could even know of all the times that God delivered him before he even sensed any danger. He believed that he could count on this same degree of stability as he led God’s people.

… thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

David acknowledged that those were the good days of his life, the days that he had no cares about any other person, but just over his own flock. He looked back and was full of thanksgiving for how God had allowed him to mature and develop his character in the wilderness, with just himself, his sheep, and his God. These experiences stood him in good stead as he encountered situation after situation that looked like he would lose everything he had gained. Even in these times, David acknowledged that God was good.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

As David looked back at how God had cared for him, protected him, and led him through the good and bad places, he was able to look forward. Because of all of his one-on-one time with the God of his youth in the lonely wilderness where there was no one else to share his deepest thoughts, he was surely able to look toward his future as the King of Israel with confidence. Even though he was carrying the weight of a nation on his shoulders, simply by putting his thoughts and his concerns into his poetry, he could now realize that the God who had cared for him and led him in the wilderness was the same God who cared for him and led him in the here-and-now.

How did David come by this revelation?

David had a heart of worship. When he wrote Psalm 23, he must have unlocked a real understanding of what God could be in his life. 

He realized that the only way to understand Him, to really have His mind and to be like Him was to meet Him on His home ground. Some of his revelations about this were mind-boggling when you are reminded of his culture and background.

Consider that during that era, all anyone really understood of worship was that it needed sacrificial animals brought to the gate of the tabernacle and sacrificed on the altar in the outer court. That, along with single-minded devotion and clean-living was all that anyone could do. People were not thinking about other ways to approach God. They were not entertaining thoughts of really capturing God’s heart. It was only this physical aspect of worship that they understood.

David was able to look beyond the physical devotion into spiritual devotion. He discovered that the way to approach a spiritual God was in a spiritual way. This was the real way to know God and learn of His heart and mind. 

The failings of the spiritual shepherds

God spoke again and again throughout the Old Testament, railing against the failings of the spiritual shepherds of the Israelites. These failed shepherds were the kings and prophets, and even the priests – the ones who were in leadership.

God prophetically accused King Ahab of not being a shepherd over his people. The prophet Micaiah spoke to him prophetically, saying,

And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. 1 Kings 22:17

God lamented to Jeremiah the prophet about the state of His people. This prophecy was then sent to Babylon to encourage the Judahites who were in captivity there. 

My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place. Jeremiah 50:6

Ezekiel the prophet, himself in captivity, prophesied to the others in captivity. Again, it was a lament of God about the failings of the shepherds of the Israelites.

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ezekiel 34:2

As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock … Ezekiel 34:8

Even Jesus spoke of those who were not true shepherds.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. John 10:12-13

The Good Shepherd is promised

During the same period of time that God lamented over His lost flocks, He also pointed towards a time in the future when a Shepherd would bring them back together. 

Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. Jeremiah 31:10

Jeremiah and Ezekiel both lived during the time of the exile of Jerusalem to Babylon. Jeremiah stayed in Jerusalem, while Ezekiel was carried away during the second wave. Regardless, they were both prophesying in tandem about the coming of God’s Good Shepherd.

And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. Ezekiel 34:23

There were several more prophecies over the centuries that spoke of the coming Shepherd. Because the Pharisees of Jesus’ time were well-versed in these scriptures, they surely recognized the signposts of His arrival.

Prophecies concerning the Good Shepherd

 • Isaiah described a wounded servant acting as a sacrificial shepherd. 

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Jesus fulfilled this as he described himself as laying down his life.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11

 • Zechariah said the shepherd would be struck. 

 … smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered … Zechariah 13:7

Jesus cited this prophecy at his arrest.

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. Matthew 26:31

• Zechariah said that the shepherd would be valued at 30 shekels of silver. 

And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. Zechariah 11:12

This was fulfilled when Judas betrayed Jesus for this price.

And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:15

• Micah prophesied that a shepherd-ruler would come from Bethlehem.

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel … Micah 5:2

This was fulfilled at the birth of Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem … Matthew 2:1

Just to read of Jesus’ ministry reveals the attributes of the shepherd in him. Didn’t people flock to Him? He took care of them, fed them, healed them and much more.

It is heartbreaking to hear the yearning of Jesus to gather and protect His people, as a true shepherd.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Luke 13:34

We are shepherded today

The attribute of the Shepherd is apparent in anyone who has the care over another person or group of people: parents, pastors, caregivers, teachers and political representatives, just to name the most obvious ones.

The attribute of the shepherd is one that is very tender and near to God’s heart. Think of the passages that we have examined today that give voice to God’s desire for His people to allow themselves to be shepherded by their good Elohim and by good shepherds.

Because God has such a great desire for His people to be shepherded well, it seems like the penalties for shepherding badly are greater. If you recall, in the study that we did on Jehovah Mekadesh and the sacrifices that were required, those persons with more of a leadership role had to pay a greater offering for sin than those who had no responsibilities. This lines up with what Jesus said in Luke 12:48, … For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required ….

We lament false shepherds

Bad shepherds are the leaders who exploit their followers. Their desire for personal wealth overshadows the needs of their flock. These are the leaders who are abusive of their authority. They dominate rather than serve. They cover-up rather than own-up. They are people-pleasers who twist Biblical truths in order to manipulate their flocks.

How often have we seen God lament about false shepherds or poor shepherding? It seems that the shepherding attribute is both very strong and very easily corrupted.

Today, we also lament and rail over shepherds gone bad, although we usually don’t think of them in those terms. Poor shepherding has given a bad name to television evangelism. Wicked shepherding has caused untold grief to the families of those involved in cults. Dishonest shepherding has turned many away from Jesus on the mistaken premise that this is what all of Christianity is like. There a lot of room for false shepherding in our lives today.

Being discerning

I once knew a woman who had belonged to a certain denomination all of her life. After she married, they moved quite often due to the demands of her husband’s job. She told me that wherever she went, she always attended the nearest church of her denomination.

This may have worked for her, but I was always uncomfortable with this idea. For one thing, the mission of each church is different and is based on the vision of the leadership of that church. I have always wanted to make sure that my vision lined up with that of my home church so that I could be an asset to it, and so that I would not be frustrated in not being able to move forward with my own vision.

Then there is the integrity of the leadership – not just the pastors, but everyone in leadership. Recognizing that no one is perfect, I think that as long as we are mature in our faith and have our own standards in place, we can put up with less than perfect shepherding in the leadership.

Wherever we go and whoever we meet, we have scripture and our own knowledge and intuition to help discern things like underlying motives and attitudes, but foremost, the the Holy Spirit is always our sure guide in discerning where we belong.

References
The Holy Bible: King James Version
Strongs Exhaustive Concordance and Hebrew Dictionary

©2026 Chandra Hronchek