4165. poimainó

Lexicon

poimainó: To shepherd, to tend, to feed, to guide

Original Word: ποιμαίνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: poimainó
Pronunciation: poy-MY-no
Phonetic Spelling: (poy-mah'-ee-no)
Definition: To shepherd, to tend, to feed, to guide
Meaning: I shepherd, tend, herd; hence: I rule, govern.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

to shepherd, rule

From poimen; to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser) -- feed (cattle), rule.

see GREEK poimen

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 4165 poimaínō – properly, to shepherd, caring for (protecting) the flock.

4165 /poimaínō ("shepherding, pastoring") is distinct from "feeding" (1006 /bóskō). 4165 (poimaínō) focuses on "tending" ("shepherding") (WS, 274), which includes guarding, guiding, and folding the flock and is only provided (ultimately) by Jesus Christ – the Shepherd, who calls under-shepherds (such as elder-overseers) to guard and guide His people by His direction (1 Pet 5:1-5). See 4166 (poimēn).

[4165 /poimaínō ("to shepherd, tend") occurs 11 times in the NT, usually with a figurative sense of "shepherding (tending) God's flock." This provides Spirit-directed guidance (care) conjunction with feeding His people (teaching them Scripture).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from poimén
Definition
to act as a shepherd
NASB Translation
caring (1), rule (3), shepherd (5), tending sheep (1), tends (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4165: ποιμαίνω

ποιμαίνω; future ποιμανῶ; 1 aorist imperative 2 person plural ποιμάνατε (1 Peter 5:2); (ποιμήν, which see); from Homer down; the Sept. for רָעָה; to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep;

a. properly: Luke 17:7; ποίμνην, 1 Corinthians 9:7.

b. tropically, α. to rule, govern: of rulers, τινα, Matthew 2:6; Revelation 2:27; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15 (2 Samuel 5:2; Micah 5:6 (); , etc.; (cf. Winers Grammar, 17)) (see ποιμήν, b. at the end); of the overseers (pastors) of the church, John 21:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2. β. to furnish pasturage or food; to nourish: ἑαυτόν, to cherish one's body, to serve the body, Jude 1:12; to supply the requisites for the soul's needs (R. V. shall be their shepherd), Revelation 7:17. (Synonym: see βόσκω, at the end.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ποιμήν (poimēn), meaning "shepherd."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H7462 • רָעָה (ra'ah): To pasture, tend, graze, feed.
• H7469 • רֹעֶה (ro'eh): Shepherd, herdsman.

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the responsibilities of a shepherd, emphasizing care, guidance, and leadership, and are often used in the Old Testament to describe both literal shepherds and leaders of Israel.

Usage: The verb ποιμαίνω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of shepherding, which includes guiding, nurturing, and overseeing a group, often metaphorically applied to spiritual leadership within the church.

Context: The term ποιμαίνω is deeply rooted in the pastoral imagery prevalent throughout the Bible, symbolizing leadership and care. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically. The role of a shepherd was crucial in ancient agrarian societies, responsible for the welfare and guidance of the sheep. This imagery is applied to spiritual leaders who are tasked with the care and guidance of their congregations.

In John 21:16, Jesus instructs Peter, "Shepherd My sheep," emphasizing the pastoral responsibility of nurturing and guiding believers. This command underscores the importance of spiritual oversight and care within the Christian community.

In 1 Peter 5:2, elders are exhorted to "shepherd the flock of God that is among you," highlighting the role of church leaders as shepherds who must exercise oversight willingly and eagerly, not for personal gain but out of a genuine desire to serve.

The use of ποιμαίνω in Revelation 2:27 and 12:5 extends the metaphor to Christ Himself, who will "rule them with an iron scepter," indicating His ultimate authority and protective care over His people.

The shepherding role is characterized by guidance, protection, provision, and correction, reflecting the relationship between Christ, the Good Shepherd, and His followers. This concept is foundational to understanding the responsibilities of church leaders and the nature of Christ's leadership.

Forms and Transliterations

εποίμαινε εποίμαινόν εποίμανεν Ποιμαινε Ποίμαινε ποιμαινει ποιμαινεί ποιμαίνει ποιμαινειν ποιμαινείν ποιμαίνειν ποιμαίνεις ποιμαινοντα ποιμαίνοντα ποιμαίνοντας ποιμαινοντες ποιμαίνοντες ποιμαινόντων ποιμαίνουσαι ποιμαίνουσιν ποιμαίνων ποιμανατε ποιμάνατε ποιμανει ποιμανεί ποιμανεῖ ποιμανείς ποιμανθήση ποίμανον ποιμανούσι ποιμανούσιν ποιμανώ ποιμενικά ποιμένικω Poimaine Poímaine poimainei poimaínei poimainein poimaínein poimainonta poimaínonta poimainontes poimaínontes poimanate poimánate poimanei poimaneî

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 2:6 V-FIA-3S
GRK: ἡγούμενος ὅστις ποιμανεῖ τὸν λαόν
NAS: WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE
KJV: a Governor, that shall rule my people
INT: a leader who will shepherd the people

Luke 17:7 V-PPA-AMS
GRK: ἀροτριῶντα ἢ ποιμαίνοντα ὃς εἰσελθόντι
NAS: or tending sheep, will say
KJV: or feeding cattle, will say
INT: plowing or shepherding the [one] having come in

John 21:16 V-PMA-2S
GRK: λέγει αὐτῷ Ποίμαινε τὰ πρόβατά
NAS: You. He said to him, Shepherd My sheep.
KJV: He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
INT: He says to him Shepherd the sheep

Acts 20:28 V-PNA
GRK: ἔθετο ἐπισκόπους ποιμαίνειν τὴν ἐκκλησίαν
NAS: you overseers, to shepherd the church
KJV: overseers, to feed the church
INT: did set overseers to shepherd the church

1 Corinthians 9:7 V-PIA-3S
GRK: ἢ τίς ποιμαίνει ποίμνην καὶ
NAS: who tends a flock
KJV: or who feedeth a flock, and
INT: or who shepherds a flock and

1 Peter 5:2 V-AMA-2P
GRK: ποιμάνατε τὸ ἐν
NAS: shepherd the flock of God
KJV: Feed the flock of God
INT: shepherd the among

Jude 1:12 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: ἀφόβως ἑαυτοὺς ποιμαίνοντες νεφέλαι ἄνυδροι
NAS: with you without fear, caring for themselves;
KJV: with you, feeding themselves
INT: fearlessly themselves shepherding clouds without water

Revelation 2:27 V-FIA-3S
GRK: καὶ ποιμανεῖ αὐτοὺς ἐν
NAS: AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD
KJV: And he shall rule them with
INT: and he will shepherd them with

Revelation 7:17 V-FIA-3S
GRK: τοῦ θρόνου ποιμανεῖ αὐτούς καὶ
NAS: of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide
KJV: of the throne shall feed them,
INT: of the throne will shepherd them and

Revelation 12:5 V-PNA
GRK: ὃς μέλλει ποιμαίνειν πάντα τὰ
NAS: [child], who is to rule all
KJV: who was to rule all nations
INT: who is about to shepherd all the

Revelation 19:15 V-FIA-3S
GRK: καὶ αὐτὸς ποιμανεῖ αὐτοὺς ἐν
NAS: the nations, and He will rule them with a rod
KJV: and he shall rule them with
INT: and he will shepherd them with

Strong's Greek 4165
11 Occurrences

Ποίμαινε — 1 Occ.
ποιμαίνει — 1 Occ.
ποιμαίνειν — 2 Occ.
ποιμαίνοντα — 1 Occ.
ποιμαίνοντες — 1 Occ.
ποιμάνατε — 1 Occ.
ποιμανεῖ — 4 Occ.