Sheep Pen, Sheepfold

SHEEP PEN, SHEEPFOLD (Heb. gedhērâh, mikhlâh, mishpethayin, nāweh, Gr. aulē). An enclosure intended for the protection of sheep and also to keep them from wandering out and getting lost. These folds were simple walled enclosures, usually without roofs, with the walls covered with thorns to keep out robbers. Several flocks would usually pass the night in one fold under the care of a shepherd who guarded the door. Each shepherd knew his own sheep and was known by them. (See John.10.1-John.10.6.)