1006. boskó
Lexical Summary
boskó: To feed, to tend

Original Word: βοσκῶ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: boskó
Pronunciation: bos-KO
Phonetic Spelling: (bos'-ko)
KJV: feed, keep
NASB: feeding, herdsmen, tend, feed
Word Origin: [a prolonged form of a primary verb]

1. to pasture
2. (by extension) to feed with fodder
3. (reflexively) to graze

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
feed, keep.

A prolonged form of a primary verb (compare bibrosko, bous); to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze -- feed, keep.

see GREEK bibrosko

see GREEK bous

HELPS Word-studies

1006 bóskō – properly, feed (graze); (figuratively) spiritually nourish by feeding people the Word of God (Jn 21:15,17). While 4166 (poimḗn) focuses on "shepherding" the flock of God (caring for them), 1006 (bóskō) stresses feeding them His Word.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the root bot-
Definition
to feed
NASB Translation
feed (1), feeding (3), herdsmen (3), tend (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1006: βόσκω

βόσκω; as in Greek writings from Homer down, to feed: Mark 5:14; Luke 15:15; ἀρνία, πρόβατα, John 21:15, 17 (in a figurative discourse portraying the duty of a Christian teacher to promote in every way the spiritual welfare of the members of the church); βόσκων a herdsman: Matthew 8:33; Luke 8:34. In the passive and middle (present participle βοσκόμενος, cf. Winers Grammar, § 38, 2 note) of flocks or herds, to feed, graze: Matthew 8:30; Mark 5:11; Luke 8:32. (In the Sept. for רָעָה.) [SYNONYMS: βόσκειν, ποιμαίνειν: ποιμαίνειν is the wider, βόσκειν the narrower term; the former includes oversight, the latter denotes nourishment; ποιμαίνειν may be rendered tend, βόσκειν specifically feed. See Trench, § xxv.; Meyer on John as above; Schmidt, chapter 200.]

Topical Lexicon
Scope of the Verb

The verb βόσκω (Strong’s Greek 1006) describes the ordinary act of feeding or pasturing animals, yet in the New Testament it also carries strong pastoral overtones when applied to Christ’s flock. Of its nine occurrences, two relate directly to Jesus’ commission to Peter, one colors the misery of the prodigal son, and the remaining six appear in the accounts of the Gadarene demoniacs where swine are being pastured. Together these settings link humble, daily labor with profound spiritual realities: love-driven shepherding, the uncleanness of sin, and the liberating power of Jesus over darkness.

Commissioning Peter: Love Expressed Through Feeding

John closes his Gospel with the risen Lord’s threefold restoration of Peter (John 21:15–17). Twice Jesus uses βόσκω:

• “Feed My lambs.” (John 21:15)
• “Feed My sheep.” (John 21:17)

The verb frames Peter’s entire apostolic vocation. Love demonstrated toward Christ must show itself in continual, self-sacrificing care for Christ’s people. The act of “feeding” is not merely dispensing information but providing what is necessary for life and growth—doctrinally, morally, and affectionately. Peter later echoes this charge when he exhorts elders to “shepherd the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2), intertwining βόσκω’s practical nurture with ποιμαίνω’s oversight. The shepherd must keep giving the flock nourishing pasture (sound teaching), safe guidance (holy example), and vigilant protection (discernment against error).

The Lost Son: Feeding Swine as the Picture of Degradation

In Jesus’ parable, the wayward son “was sent…to feed pigs” (Luke 15:15). βόσκω here exposes the depth of his rebellion. A Jew caring for unclean animals underscores estrangement from covenant blessings. The nastiness of the task accentuates the lavish welcome he later receives; grace reaches to the filthiest trough. The contrast between feeding swine and the father’s banquet heightens the call to repentance and the assurance of full restoration.

Demoniacs of the Decapolis: Swine, Uncleanness, and Liberation

Matthew 8:30; Mark 5:11; Luke 8:32 depict a “large herd of pigs…feeding” (βόσκω as participle). The herders, βόσκοντες, appear in Matthew 8:33; Mark 5:14; Luke 8:34. Several themes emerge:

1. Gentile Territory

Pigs signal a non-Jewish setting (likely the Decapolis). Jesus’ authority extends beyond Israel, previewing worldwide mission.

2. Clash of Kingdoms

Demons seek entry into the feeding herd, highlighting the spiritual contamination of uncleanness. Yet once Jesus grants permission, the swine rush to destruction, dramatizing evil’s self-ruin and Christ’s mastery.

3. Economic Shock and Testimony

The swineherds’ flight and report broadcast the miracle, creating a ripple of witness even when local reaction is fearful. The episode warns against valuing livelihood above spiritual deliverance.

Old Testament Resonance

βόσκω’s imagery recalls prophetic critiques and promises:

• False leaders who “feed only themselves” (Ezekiel 34:2–3).
• Yahweh’s pledge: “I Myself will pasture My sheep” (Ezekiel 34:15).
• The Davidic shepherd-king who will “feed” the flock securely (Micah 5:4).

John’s Gospel deliberately places Jesus in this shepherd role; His charge to Peter is the delegated outworking of Ezekiel’s promise.

Early Church Reflection

Church fathers quickly connected βόσκω with pastoral office. Ignatius urged Polycarp to care for the flock “as the Lord provides you the ability to feed them.” Chrysostom saw in John 21 the pattern of restoration before ministry: only the forgiven can truly feed others.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Love precedes labor. No amount of competence compensates for a heart that lacks affection for Jesus.
2. Feeding is continual. Sheep cannot store nourishment indefinitely; teaching and example must be steady.
3. The flock belongs to Christ. Peter is told, “My lambs…My sheep.” Authority is derived and accountable.
4. Unclean pastures remind of mission fields. The church may find herself among modern “swineherds,” yet there Christ’s power is displayed.
5. Repentant prodigals need table fellowship, not left-over pods. Gospel ministers must welcome, clothe, and celebrate returned sinners.

Summary

βόσκω ranges from the mundane chore of animal husbandry to the sublime calling of under-shepherds. Whether portraying Peter’s lifelong commission, the prodigal’s lowest point, or the swineherd’s hillside, the verb consistently presses two truths: God’s people must be fed, and sin’s uncleanness demands the cleansing authority of Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
Βοσκε Βόσκε βοσκειν βόσκειν βόσκεσθαι βόσκετε βοσκηθήσονται βοσκηθήσονταί βοσκήσουσιν βοσκήσω βοσκομενη βοσκομένη βοσκομένων βοσκοντες βόσκοντες βόσκουσιν βόσκων έβοσκε εβόσκησαν εβόσκοντο Boske Bóske boskein bóskein boskomene boskomenē boskoméne boskoménē boskontes bóskontes
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 8:30 V-PPM/P-NFS
GRK: χοίρων πολλῶν βοσκομένη
NAS: swine feeding at a distance
KJV: of many swine feeding.
INT: of pigs many feeding

Matthew 8:33 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: Οἱ δὲ βόσκοντες ἔφυγον καὶ
NAS: The herdsmen ran away, and went
KJV: And they that kept them fled, and
INT: Those moreover [who] fed [them] fled and

Mark 5:11 V-PPM/P-NFS
GRK: χοίρων μεγάλη βοσκομένη
NAS: of swine feeding nearby
KJV: herd of swine feeding.
INT: of pigs great feeding

Mark 5:14 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: Καὶ οἱ βόσκοντες αὐτοὺς ἔφυγον
NAS: Their herdsmen ran away and reported
KJV: And they that fed the swine fled,
INT: And those who fed them fled

Luke 8:32 V-PPM/P-NFS
GRK: χοίρων ἱκανῶν βοσκομένη ἐν τῷ
NAS: swine feeding there
KJV: of many swine feeding on the mountain:
INT: of pigs many feeding in the

Luke 8:34 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: δὲ οἱ βόσκοντες τὸ γεγονὸς
NAS: When the herdsmen saw
KJV: When they that fed [them] saw
INT: moreover those who fed [them] what had taken place

Luke 15:15 V-PNA
GRK: ἀγροὺς αὐτοῦ βόσκειν χοίρους
NAS: him into his fields to feed swine.
KJV: his fields to feed swine.
INT: fields of him to feed pigs

John 21:15 V-PMA-2S
GRK: λέγει αὐτῷ Βόσκε τὰ ἀρνία
NAS: You. He said to him, Tend My lambs.
KJV: He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
INT: He says to him Feed the lambs

John 21:17 V-PMA-2S
GRK: ὁ Ἰησοῦς Βόσκε τὰ πρόβατά
NAS: said to him, Tend My sheep.
KJV: saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
INT: Jesus Feed the sheep

Strong's Greek 1006
9 Occurrences


Βόσκε — 2 Occ.
βόσκειν — 1 Occ.
βοσκομένη — 3 Occ.
βόσκοντες — 3 Occ.

1005
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