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ποίμνη

poímnē

G4167 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A group or collective of domesticated animals, primarily sheep, forming a flock; by extension, can refer to an assembly or group of people understood metaphorically as sheep but primarily retains the literal sense. In Koine contexts, ποίμνη most often denotes a flock of sheep under the care of a shepherd.

Semantic Range

flock (of sheep), fold, metaphorical group (of people understood as sheep), a body under the care of a shepherd or leader

Root / Etymology

From the root ποιμν- (poi-mn-), related to ποιμήν (shepherd), with possible connection to the verb ποιμαίνω (to tend, to shepherd). The formation as a feminine noun may reflect collective or abstract sense.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, ποίμνη almost always denotes a literal flock of sheep, distinguished from βοσκή (herd, usually cattle) and αγέλη (herd, often of less domesticated animals). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it is frequently used in pastoral imagery and metaphors, echoing Israelite tradition of the people as a flock. Though occasionally used figuratively for human assemblies (e.g., a group under guidance), its figurative sense is secondary. The related term ποίμνιον (G4168) is a diminutive but often interchangeable, sometimes with less emphasis on size and more on endearment or intimate care. Standard English translations such as 'flock' or 'fold' generally communicate the principal sense, but may obscure the nuanced distinction between types of domesticated animal groups in Greek. In the New Testament and LXX, ποίμνη never refers to goats or other herd animals.

Translation Consistency

primary "flock" 5 occurrences

ποίμνη most commonly denotes a flock of sheep in Koine usage; 'flock' is the natural, widely used English equivalent that covers both the literal herd-of-sheep sense and the extended metaphorical sense of a group under a shepherd/leader. It is more natural than alternatives like 'fold' or 'assembly' and matches the SILEX primary usage.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

contraction from ποιμαίνω; a flock (literally or figuratively):--flock, fold.

Root Family

ποιμν- (poímnē) — flock (of sheep), group of animals under care

Root ποιμν- flock (of sheep), group of animals under care
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4168 ποίμνιον to the flock

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4167-02 ποίμνην poimnen N ACC F SG a flock a flock a flock 2
G4167-03 ποίμνης poimnes N GEN F SG flock of a flock flock 2
G4167-01 ποίμνη poimne N NOM F SG flock a flock of sheep flock 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4167-03 Matthew 26:31 ποίμνης poimnes N GEN F SG flock of a flock flock
G4167-02 Luke 2:8 ποίμνην poimnen N ACC F SG flock a flock flock
G4167-01 John 10:16 ποίμνη poimne N NOM F SG flock a flock of sheep flock
G4167-02 1 Corinthians 9:7 ποίμνην poimnen N ACC F SG a flock a flock a flock
G4167-03 1 Corinthians 9:7 ποίμνης poimnes N GEN F SG flock of a flock flock
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