SHEEPCOTE, SHEEPFOLD (גְּדֵרָה֒, H1556, מִכְלָא, H4813, נָוֶה֒, H5659; αὐλή, G885, enclosure, court, stall, fold).

An enclosure which served for the protection of sheep from the hazards of weather, robbers, and wild beasts. Located near the home of one of the owners or on the hills where the sheep grazed, it was roofless, walled by stone, and had only one door. It usually housed several flocks, each of which retained its own identity since each shepherd knew his sheep by name and was on intimate terms with them (John 10:3-5).