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βόσκω

bóskō

G1006 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To feed or to cause animals (primarily livestock or herds) to eat; to tend, lead out to pasture, or graze. In extended or metaphorical usage, to provide nourishment or care, especially with regard to a group entrusted to the subject. The primary sense always concerns the active provision or enabling of food, typically for animals, but can refer, by extension, to the care or supervision of a group.

Semantic Range

to feed livestock, to lead to pasture, to supply with food (animals), to tend a herd or flock, to care for (metaphorically), to nourish (figuratively)

Root / Etymology

From the root βόσκ-, with probable relation to βουσκός (“herdsman”), ultimately connected to βοῦς (“ox, cattle”). The root appears in Homer and classical Greek, with cognates in related Indo-European languages. Compare βιβρώσκω (“to eat”) and the Latin pascere (to pasture).

Historical & Contextual Notes

βόσκω is well-attested in classical Greek literature (Homeric, poetic, prose authors) where it nearly always refers to the feeding or pasturing of herds, especially sheep, goats, or cattle, by herdsmen. In Koine Greek, it retains this agricultural sense but acquires extended, metaphorical uses, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, where it can characterize the caretaking role of leaders over people (e.g., John 21:15—Jesus' instruction to Peter to 'feed my lambs'). This usage developed against a background where shepherding was a common metaphor for leadership and guidance. Standard English translations often render βόσκω as 'feed,' but in context it can mean 'tend,' 'pasture,' or 'care for' depending on the subject and object. It is distinct from ποιμαίνω, which also means 'to shepherd' or 'act as a shepherd,' though ποιμαίνω focuses more on the role and function of a shepherd, while βόσκω stresses the concrete act of feeding. In both literal and metaphorical uses, βόσκω conveys the provision of what is necessary for life and sustenance.

Translation Consistency

primary "feed" 6 occurrences

The primary SILEX sense is supplying food to animals (leading to pasture, nourishing livestock). "Feed" is the most natural, common English verb that captures both the literal act of giving food and the extended idea of providing care/nourishment to a group. It matches the majority of attested renderings and will produce natural, consistent inflections across contexts.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"fed" (3x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a prolonged form of a primary verb (compare βιβρώσκω, βοῦς); to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze:--feed, keep.

Root Family

βόσκ- (bóskō) — to feed, to graze, to pasture

Root βόσκ- to feed, to graze, to pasture

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1006-03 βοσκομένη boskomene V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG feeding being pastured being fed 3
G1006-04 βόσκοντες boskontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL feeding those pasturing those feeding 3
G1006-01 βόσκε boske V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG feed be feeding be feeding 2
G1006-02 βόσκειν boskein V PRS ACT INF to feed to be feeding livestock to feed livestock 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1006-03 Matthew 8:30 βοσκομένη boskomene V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG feeding being pastured being fed
G1006-04 Matthew 8:33 βόσκοντες boskontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL feeding those pasturing those feeding
G1006-03 Mark 5:11 βοσκομένη boskomene V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG feeding being pastured being fed
G1006-04 Mark 5:14 βόσκοντες boskontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL feeding those pasturing those feeding
G1006-03 Luke 8:32 βοσκομένη boskomene V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG feeding being pastured being fed
G1006-04 Luke 8:34 βόσκοντες boskontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL herding those pasturing those feeding
G1006-02 Luke 15:15 βόσκειν boskein V PRS ACT INF to feed to be feeding livestock to feed livestock
G1006-01 John 21:15 βόσκε boske V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG feed be feeding be feeding
G1006-01 John 21:17 βόσκε boske V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG Feed be feeding be feeding
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