The Hebrew collective noun tson (צֹאן) refers to flocks of small livestock — sheep and goats together. It appears over 270 times. The image of God as shepherd and Israel as His tson is among the most pervasive and tender metaphors in the Old Testament.
The Good Shepherd theology begins with tson. Psalm 95:7 declares: "We are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand." Isaiah 53:6 uses the image of wandering sheep — and the Servant bears the iniquity of the whole flock. Jesus takes up this entire tradition: "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).