4263. probaton
Lexicon
probaton: Sheep

Original Word: πρόβατον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: probaton
Pronunciation: PRO-bah-ton
Phonetic Spelling: (prob'-at-on)
Definition: Sheep
Meaning: a sheep.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
a sheep

Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e. (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively) -- sheep(-fold).

see GREEK probaino

HELPS Word-studies

4263 próbatonsheep; (figuratively) someone easily led, one way or the other (like a sheep).

[4263 (próbaton) properly refers to any animal that grazes (goes out to pasture), but especially to sheep.]

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4263: πρόβατον

πρόβατον, προβάτου, τό (from προβαίνω, properly, 'that which walks forward'), from Homer down, the Sept. chiefly for צֹאן, then for שֶׂה, sometimes for כֶּבֶשׂ and כֶּשֶׂב (a lamb), properly, any four-footed, tame animal accustomed to graze, small cattle (opposed to large cattle, horses, etc.), most common a sheep or a goat; but especially a sheep, and so always in the N. T.: Matthew 7:15; Matthew 10:16; Matthew 12:11; Mark 6:34; Luke 15:4, 6; John 2:14; John 10:1-4, 11f.; Acts 8:32 (from Isaiah 53:7); 1 Peter 2:25; Revelation 18:13; πρόβατα σφαγῆς, sheep destined for the slaughter, Romans 8:36. metaphorically, πρόβατα, sheep, is used of the followers of any master: Matthew 26:31 and Mark 14:27 (from Zechariah 13:7); of mankind, who as needing salvation obey the injunctions of him who provides it and leads them to it; so of the followers of Christ: John 10:7f, 15f, 26; John 21:16 (R G L Tr text WH marginal reading), (R G L WH marginal reading); Hebrews 13:20; τά πρόβατα ἀπολωλότα (see ἀπόλλυμι, at the end), Matthew 10:6; Matthew 15:24; τά πρόβατα in distinction from τά ἐρίφια, are good men as distinguished from bad people, Matthew 25:33.

Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: Derived from the base of the Greek verb προβαίνω (probaino), meaning "to go forward" or "to advance."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek πρόβατον corresponds to several Hebrew terms used in the Old Testament to denote sheep, including:
Strong's Hebrew 6629: צֹאן (tso'n) • Refers to small cattle or sheep.
Strong's Hebrew 3775: כֶּבֶשׂ (keves) • Specifically denotes a lamb or young sheep.
Strong's Hebrew 7716: שֶׂה (seh) • A general term for a member of a flock, often used for sheep or goats.

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the pastoral and sacrificial themes found throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating the continuity of the sheep metaphor from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

Usage: The word πρόβατον appears frequently in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels and the book of Revelation. It is used both literally, to refer to actual sheep, and metaphorically, to describe the people of God.

Context: Literal Usage: In the agrarian society of the biblical world, sheep were a common and valuable part of daily life. They provided wool, milk, and meat, and were often used in sacrificial offerings. The care of sheep required a shepherd, who would lead, protect, and provide for the flock. This imagery is prevalent in the Bible, illustrating the relationship between God and His people.

Metaphorical Usage: In the New Testament, πρόβατον is frequently used to symbolize believers. Jesus Christ is depicted as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). In Matthew 25:32-33, Jesus uses the imagery of sheep and goats to describe the final judgment, where the sheep represent the righteous who inherit the kingdom of God: "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left."

Spiritual Significance: The metaphor of sheep underscores the dependence of believers on Christ for guidance, sustenance, and protection. It also highlights the communal aspect of the Christian faith, as sheep are part of a flock, emphasizing unity and fellowship among believers. In John 10:27, Jesus states, "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me," illustrating the intimate relationship between Christ and His followers.

Revelation and Eschatology: In the book of Revelation, the imagery of sheep is used to depict the redeemed who follow the Lamb, Jesus Christ, wherever He goes (Revelation 14:4). This further emphasizes the theme of faithful discipleship and the ultimate victory of Christ and His followers.

Forms and Transliterations
προβατα πρόβατα πρόβατά προβατια προβάτιά προβάτοις προβατον πρόβατον πρόβατόν προβατου προβάτου προβάτω προβατων προβάτων probata próbata próbatá probaton probatōn probáton probátōn próbaton próbatón probatou probátou
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 7:15 N-GNP
GRK: ἐν ἐνδύμασιν προβάτων ἔσωθεν δέ
NAS: come to you in sheep's clothing,
KJV: you in sheep's clothing, but
INT: in clothing of sheep inwardly moreover

Matthew 9:36 N-ANP
GRK: ἐρριμμένοι ὡσεὶ πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα
NAS: like sheep without
KJV: as sheep having
INT: cast away as sheep not having

Matthew 10:6 N-ANP
GRK: πρὸς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα
NAS: to the lost sheep of the house
KJV: the lost sheep of the house
INT: to the sheep lost

Matthew 10:16 N-NNP
GRK: ὑμᾶς ὡς πρόβατα ἐν μέσῳ
NAS: I send you out as sheep in the midst
KJV: forth as sheep in the midst
INT: you as sheep in [the] midst

Matthew 12:11 N-ANS
GRK: ὃς ἕξει πρόβατον ἕν καὶ
NAS: you who has a sheep, and if it falls
KJV: shall have one sheep, and if
INT: who will have sheep one and

Matthew 12:12 N-GNS
GRK: διαφέρει ἄνθρωπος προβάτου ὥστε ἔξεστιν
NAS: is a man than a sheep! So then,
KJV: better than a sheep? Wherefore
INT: is more valuable a man than a sheep So that it is lawful

Matthew 15:24 N-ANP
GRK: εἰς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα
NAS: to the lost sheep of the house
KJV: the lost sheep of the house
INT: to the sheep lost

Matthew 18:12 N-NNP
GRK: ἀνθρώπῳ ἑκατὸν πρόβατα καὶ πλανηθῇ
NAS: a hundred sheep, and one
KJV: have an hundred sheep, and one
INT: man a hundred sheep and be gone astray

Matthew 25:32 N-ANP
GRK: ἀφορίζει τὰ πρόβατα ἀπὸ τῶν
NAS: separates the sheep from the goats;
KJV: divideth [his] sheep from
INT: separates the sheep from the

Matthew 25:33 N-ANP
GRK: τὰ μὲν πρόβατα ἐκ δεξιῶν
NAS: and He will put the sheep on His right,
KJV: And he shall set the sheep on his
INT: indeed [the] sheep on [the] right hand

Matthew 26:31 N-NNP
GRK: διασκορπισθήσονται τὰ πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης
NAS: THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK
KJV: and the sheep of the flock
INT: will be scattered the sheep of the flock

Mark 6:34 N-NNP
GRK: ἦσαν ὡς πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα
NAS: they were like sheep without
KJV: they were as sheep not having
INT: they were as sheep not having

Mark 14:27 N-NNP
GRK: καὶ τὰ πρόβατα διασκορπισθήσονται
NAS: THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP SHALL BE SCATTERED.'
KJV: and the sheep shall be scattered.
INT: and the sheep will be scattered

Luke 15:4 N-ANP
GRK: ἔχων ἑκατὸν πρόβατα καὶ ἀπολέσας
NAS: a hundred sheep and has lost
KJV: having an hundred sheep, if he lose
INT: having a hundred sheep and having lost

Luke 15:6 N-ANS
GRK: εὗρον τὸ πρόβατόν μου τὸ
NAS: with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
KJV: I have found my sheep which was lost.
INT: I have found the sheep of me that

John 2:14 N-ANP
GRK: βόας καὶ πρόβατα καὶ περιστερὰς
NAS: oxen and sheep and doves,
KJV: oxen and sheep and doves,
INT: oxen and sheep and doves

John 2:15 N-ANP
GRK: τά τε πρόβατα καὶ τοὺς
NAS: out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen;
KJV: and the sheep, and
INT: both sheep and

John 10:1 N-GNP
GRK: αὐλὴν τῶν προβάτων ἀλλὰ ἀναβαίνων
NAS: into the fold of the sheep, but climbs
KJV: into the sheepfold, but
INT: fold of the sheep but climbs up

John 10:2 N-GNP
GRK: ἐστιν τῶν προβάτων
NAS: is a shepherd of the sheep.
KJV: is the shepherd of the sheep.
INT: is of the sheep

John 10:3 N-NNP
GRK: καὶ τὰ πρόβατα τῆς φωνῆς
NAS: opens, and the sheep hear
KJV: openeth; and the sheep hear his
INT: and the sheep the voice

John 10:3 N-ANP
GRK: τὰ ἴδια πρόβατα φωνεῖ κατ'
NAS: his own sheep by name
KJV: he calleth his own sheep by name,
INT: the own sheep he calls by

John 10:4 N-ANP
GRK: καὶ τὰ πρόβατα αὐτῷ ἀκολουθεῖ
NAS: ahead of them, and the sheep follow
KJV: his own sheep, he goeth
INT: And the sheep him follow

John 10:7 N-GNP
GRK: θύρα τῶν προβάτων
NAS: to you, I am the door of the sheep.
KJV: am the door of the sheep.
INT: door of the sheep

John 10:8 N-NNP
GRK: αὐτῶν τὰ πρόβατα
NAS: and robbers, but the sheep did not hear
KJV: robbers: but the sheep did not
INT: them the sheep

John 10:11 N-GNP
GRK: ὑπὲρ τῶν προβάτων
NAS: lays down His life for the sheep.
KJV: life for the sheep.
INT: for the sheep

Strong's Greek 4263
39 Occurrences


πρόβατα — 26 Occ.
προβάτων — 9 Occ.
πρόβατον — 3 Occ.
προβάτου — 1 Occ.















4262
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