1006. boskó

Lexicon

boskó: To feed, to tend

Original Word: βοσκῶ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: boskó
Pronunciation: bos-KO
Phonetic Spelling: (bos'-ko)
Definition: To feed, to tend
Meaning: I feed, pasture.

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); ὁ 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

Word Origin: A primary verb

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H7462 רָעָה (ra'ah): To pasture, tend, graze, feed
• H7463 רֹעֶה (ro'eh): Shepherd, herdsman

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the act of feeding and tending, often used in the context of shepherding and caring for flocks, and they provide a rich background for understanding the New Testament use of βοσκῶ.

Usage: The verb βοσκῶ is used in the context of feeding or tending, often referring to the care of animals such as sheep. It can also metaphorically extend to the spiritual feeding or nurturing of people.

Context: The Greek verb βοσκῶ appears in the New Testament primarily in contexts related to shepherding and pastoral care. It is a term that conveys the act of providing nourishment and care, typically for livestock. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically.

In John 21:15-17, Jesus uses the term in His post-resurrection dialogue with Peter. After asking Peter if he loves Him, Jesus instructs Peter to "Feed My lambs" and "Tend My sheep," using βοσκῶ to emphasize the pastoral responsibility of nurturing and guiding the flock of believers. This passage highlights the role of spiritual leaders as shepherds who are entrusted with the care and guidance of the community of faith.

The use of βοσκῶ in the New Testament reflects the agrarian society of the time, where shepherding was a common occupation. The imagery of shepherding is deeply rooted in biblical tradition, symbolizing leadership, provision, and protection. The metaphorical use of βοσκῶ underscores the importance of spiritual nourishment and the responsibility of leaders to provide for the spiritual well-being of their communities.

The concept of feeding and tending is also found in the Old Testament, where shepherds are often depicted as caretakers of God's people. This imagery is carried into the New Testament, where Jesus is portrayed as the Good Shepherd, and His followers are called to emulate His example in caring for others.

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

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.