"to feed, pasture, tend a flock, Lk. 17:7; 1 Cor. 9:7; trop. to feed with selfish indulgence, to pamper, Jude 12; met. to tend, direct, superintend, Mt. 2:6; Jn. 21:16; to rule, Rev. 2:27"
Definition and meaning
to feed, pasture, tend a flock, Lk. 17:7; 1 Cor. 9:7; trop. to feed with selfish indulgence, to pamper, Jude 12; met. to tend, direct, superintend, Mt. 2:6; Jn. 21:16; to rule, Rev. 2:27
In the original Greek the word is written: ποιμαίνω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of poimaino (G4165) across the King James Bible.
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
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Common questions
Strong's G4165 (poimaino) is a Greek word that means: to feed, pasture, tend a flock, Lk. 17:7; 1 Cor. 9:7; trop. to feed with selfish indulgence, to pamper, Jude 12; met. to tend, direct, superintend, Mt. 2:6; Jn. 21:16; to rule, Rev. 2:27 It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word poimaino (G4165) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4165 is poimaino, a Greek word defined as: to feed, pasture, tend a flock, Lk. 17:7; 1 Cor. 9:7; trop. to feed with selfish indulgence, to pamper, Jude 12; met. to tend, direct, superintend, Mt. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
poimaino is a Greek word found in the New Testament.