Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks. "State;" פנִים (panim); vultum, Vulgate; the face, look, appearance. The LXX. has ψυχάς, which may perhaps mean "the number"—a necessary precaution when the sheep wandered on the downs and mountains, and had to be collected in the evening and folded.
These precepts are naturally applied to all rulers, and especially to Christian pastors who have the oversight of the flock of Christ (1 Peter 5:2-4). Ecclesiastes 7:22, "Hast thou cattle? have an eye to them; and if they he for thy profit, keep them with thee."