ποιμήν
poimēn
shepherd
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word "ποιμήν" (poimēn) is defined as a shepherd. This term is used 18 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in the text. As a shepherd, this word refers to a person responsible for guiding and caring for a flock of sheep. The usage of "ποιμήν" is centered aroundigidbody roles in a pastoral setting, but its significance extends beyond this context. The word's frequency and emphasis suggest that the concept of shepherding is a metaphor for leadership, guidance, and care in various aspects of life. The significance of "ποιμήν" lies in its ability to convey a sense of responsibility, protection, and guidance. It is a term that evokes images of a caretaker who provides for the needs of others, ensuring their well-being and safety.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
18 total occurrences across the text
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 25:32Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Matthew 26:31Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Mark 6:34Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.
Mark 14:27Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
Luke 2:8There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
Luke 2:15When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Luke 2:18All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
John 10:2But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:12He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them.
John 10:14I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own;
John 10:16I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd.
Ephesians 4:11He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
Hebrews 13:20Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,
1 Peter 2:25For you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.