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•HERDSMAN In Egypt herdsmen were probably of the lowest caste. Some of Joseph’s brethren were made rulers over Pharaoh’s cattle (Genesis 47:6, 17). The Israelites were known in Egypt as “keepers of cattle;” and when they left it they took their flocks and herds with them (Exodus 12:38). Both David and Saul came from “following the herd” to occupy the throne (1 Samuel 9; 11:5; Psalm 78:70). David’s herd-masters were among his chief officers of state. The daughters also of wealthy chiefs were wont to tend the flocks of the family (Genesis 29:9; Exodus 2:16). The “chief of the herdsmen” was in the time of the monarchy an officer of high rank (1 Samuel 21:7; comp. 1 Chronicles 27:29). The herdsmen lived in tents (Isaiah 38:12; Jeremiah 6:3); and there were folds for the cattle (Numbers 32:16), and watch-towers for the herdsmen, that he might therefrom observe any coming danger (Micah 4:8; Nah. 3:8).
•HERES sun. (1.) “Mount Heres” (Judges 1:35), Hebrews Har-heres, i.e., “sun-mountain;” probably identical with Irshemesh in Joshua 19:41.
(2.) Isaiah 19:18, marg. (See ON.)
•HERESY from a Greek word signifying (1) a choice, (2) the opinion chosen, and (3) the sect holding the opinion. In the Acts of the Apostles (5:17; 15:5; 24:5, 14; 26:5) it denotes a sect, without reference to its character. Elsewhere, however, in the New Testament it has a different meaning attached to it. Paul ranks “heresies” with crimes and seditions (Galatians 5:20). This word also denotes divisions or schisms in the church (1 Corinthians 11:19). In Titus 3:10 a “heretical person” is one who follows his own self-willed “questions,” and who is to be avoided. Heresies thus came to signify self-chosen doctrines not emanating from God (2 Peter 2:1).
•HERMAS Mercury, a Roman Christian to whom Paul sends greetings (Romans 16: 14). Some suppose him to have been the author of the celebrated religious romance called The Shepherd, but it is very probable that that work is the production of a later generation.
•HERMES Mercury, a Roman Christian (Romans 16:14).
•HERMOGENES Mercury-born, at one time Paul’s fellow-labourer in Asia Minor, who, however, afterwards abandoned him, along with one