"one who tends flocks or herds, a shepherd, herdsman, Mt. 9:36; 25:32; met. a pastor, superintendent, guardian, Jn. 10:11, 14, 16"
Definition and meaning
one who tends flocks or herds, a shepherd, herdsman, Mt. 9:36; 25:32; met. a pastor, superintendent, guardian, Jn. 10:11, 14, 16
In the original Greek the word is written: ποιμήν
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 poimen (G4166) across the King James Bible.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
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Common questions
Strong's G4166 (poimen) is a Greek word that means: one who tends flocks or herds, a shepherd, herdsman, Mt. 9:36; 25:32; met. a pastor, superintendent, guardian, Jn. 10:11, 14, 16 It appears 16 times in the King James Bible.
The word poimen (G4166) appears 16 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4166 is poimen, a Greek word defined as: one who tends flocks or herds, a shepherd, herdsman, Mt. 9:36; 25:32; met. a pastor, superintendent, guardian, Jn. 10:11, 14, 16. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
poimen is a Greek word found in the New Testament.