ποιμήν
A shepherd (literally or figuratively)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does ποιμήν (poimḗn) mean in the Bible?
ποιμήν (poimḗn) is a Greek word meaning "a shepherd (literally or figuratively)". ποιμήν, -ίνος, ὁ [in LXX for רָעָה ;] a shepherd: Mat. Messianic fulfillment of divine shepherd imagery. This term runs through the canonical themes of Messiah.
Meaning
Shepherd metaphor emphasizes protective, personal care for a flock; applied to Christ and church leaders.
a shepherd: Mat.9:36 25:32 26:31" (LXX), Mrk.6:34 14:27, Luk.2:8, 15 2:18, 20 Jhn.10:2, 12 Metaphorical, of Christ; Jhn.10:11, 14 10:16 Heb.13:20, 1Pe.2:25; of Christian pastors, Eph.4:11 (cf. Hom., Il, i, 263, ποιμένα λαῶν).
Why This Word Matters
Messianic fulfillment of divine shepherd imagery. 1 Peter 2:18-25
Connects Jesus to divine shepherd promises. John 10:1–21
Reassures suffering believers that Christ actively guards and oversees their souls.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain