pasture

Everyday

1. A pasture is a field of grass where cows, sheep, horses or other animals graze. tree →
2. To pasture animals is to put them in a field to eat the grass. tree →
3. (figurative) «Pastures new» or «greener pastures» means a new place or job that might be better. tree →
4. (Bible) In Psalm 23, «He maketh me to lie down in green pastures» is a picture of God caring for people like a shepherd. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and farming lessons pastures are grazing land. In the Bible and church, «green pastures» in the 23rd Psalm stands for peace and care. In everyday talk «moving on to pastures new» means starting something new. Phrases: «green pastures», «put out to pasture» (retired), «pastures new».

Examples

• The cows are grazing in the pasture. tree →
• The farmer moved the sheep to a fresh pasture. tree →
• «He makes me lie down in green pastures,» says Psalm 23. tree →
• After ten years at the school, our teacher left for pastures new. tree →
• The old horse was put out to pasture. tree →
• Pasture land covers much of New Zealand. tree →
• Soon he found life in the pasture very dull. tree →

Note

Countable for fields, uncountable for grassland in general. «Pastures new» (UK, from Milton's poem) and «greener pastures» (US) mean the same. Do not confuse with «pastor» (a minister of a church) or «posture» (how you stand).

In Jewish tradition

Jacob's family came to Egypt because famine in Canaan left no grass for their flocks. In the Prophets and Psalms, "the flock of His pasture" is a picture of Israel as God's sheep, and the pastures of the wilderness rejoice with God's blessing.

Interpretation. Joseph's brothers were shepherds, and Pharaoh settled them in Goshen. The Jewish people began as a family of herdsmen. The psalms' flock and pasture are read as God caring for Israel as a shepherd does.

Examples

• And they said unto Pharaoh: 'To sojourn in the land are we come; for there is no pasture for thy servants' flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan. (Torah GEN.47.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• For the LORD despoileth their pasture. (Prophets JER.25.36, JPS 1917) tree →
• Why doth Thine anger smoke against the flock of Thy pasture? (Writings PSA.74.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• The pastures of the wilderness do drop; and the hills are girded with joy. (Writings PSA.65.13, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable for fields, uncountable for grassland in general. «Pastures new» (UK, from Milton's poem) and «greener pastures» (US) mean the same. Do not confuse with «pastor» (a minister of a church) or «posture» (how you stand).