4167. poimné
Lexical Summary
poimné: flock

Original Word: ποίμνη
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: poimné
Pronunciation: poym-nay'
Phonetic Spelling: (poym'-nay)
KJV: flock, fold
NASB: flock
Word Origin: [contraction from G4165 (ποιμαίνω - shepherd)]

1. a flock
{literally or figuratively}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
flock, fold.

Contraction from poimaino; a flock (literally or figuratively) -- flock, fold.

see GREEK poimaino

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
probably from poimén
Definition
a flock
NASB Translation
flock (5).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4167: ποίμνη

ποίμνη, ποίμνης, (contracted from ποιμενη; see ποιμήν) (from Homer (Odyssey 9, 122) on), a flock (especially) of sheep: Matthew 26:31; Luke 2:8; 1 Corinthians 9:7; tropically (of Christ's flock i. e.) the body of those who follow Jesus as their guide and keeper, John 10:16.

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Imagery

The term ποίμνη (poimnē) evokes the pastoral picture of a flock of sheep under the watchful care of a shepherd. In Palestinian culture, sheep were utterly dependent on their shepherd for guidance, protection, water, and pasture. Scripture appropriates this scene to convey God’s covenant relationship with His people, underscoring dependence, intimacy, and accountability.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Luke 2:8 pictures ordinary shepherds “keeping watch over their flock by night,” setting the stage for the angelic proclamation of Messiah’s birth.
Matthew 26:31 cites Zechariah, “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” Christ applies the prophetic word to His own arrest, showing that the flock’s security rests solely upon the Shepherd.
John 10:16 extends the metaphor beyond Israel: “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one Shepherd.” The unity of Jew and Gentile believers is foretold, grounded in the authoritative summons of Christ’s voice.
1 Corinthians 9:7 employs the term twice in Paul’s rhetorical questions to establish that those who labor spiritually may rightly expect material support, just as shepherds tend and benefit from their own flock.

Christological Significance

The image converges upon Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). The scattering in Matthew and the gathering in John frame the redemptive arc: the Shepherd is smitten for the flock’s salvation, then rises to assemble a unified people under His care. Every use of ποίμνη in the New Testament either anticipates or reflects this shepherding work of Christ.

Pastoral Ministry Implications

Paul’s analogy in 1 Corinthians 9:7 sanctions the principle that shepherding entails both responsibility and provision. Elders are charged to “shepherd the church of God” (Acts 20:28) with sacrificial vigilance, yet the flock is equally responsible to honor and sustain faithful leaders (1 Timothy 5:17-18). The reciprocity mirrors the agricultural reality embedded in ποίμνη.

Ecclesiological Applications

John 10:16 supplies the theological basis for the church’s unity across ethnic and cultural lines. The one flock under one Shepherd transcends human barriers, calling believers to embrace gospel-driven reconciliation and mutual submission. Congregational life therefore displays the Shepherd’s character when it safeguards doctrinal purity, practices loving discipline, and nurtures vulnerable members.

Historical Jewish Context

Shepherd-flock language permeates the Old Testament (e.g., Psalm 23; Ezekiel 34). Prophets rebuked Israel’s false shepherds and promised a Davidic Shepherd-King. Jesus’ self-identification as that Shepherd in John 10 fulfills these hopes, confirming the continuity of redemptive history.

Missionary Mandate

John 10:16 also propels global evangelism: Christ “must bring” the other sheep, and they “will” listen. The necessity and certainty fuel missionary confidence, while the Shepherd’s voice—His word preached—remains the ordained means by which the elect are gathered.

Ethical and Spiritual Lessons

1. Dependence: Sheep thrive only by heeding the Shepherd’s voice; believers flourish through obedient listening to Scripture.
2. Vulnerability: Scattering follows the neglect or rejection of the Shepherd; disciples are warned against autonomy.
3. Provision: The Shepherd’s sacrificial love guarantees every need, freeing the flock from anxiety and covetousness.

Worship and Hymnody

Christian hymnody frequently reflects the ποίμνη motif (“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”). Such songs reinforce doctrinal truths of guidance, protection, and belonging, fostering congregational assurance in the Shepherd’s unfailing care.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4167 encapsulates a theology of covenant nurture, atonement, and mission. Whether illuminating the humble fields of Bethlehem, the anguish of Gethsemane, or the apostolic defense of ministry, ποίμνη calls the church to rest under the chief Shepherd’s rod while laboring to gather every last sheep appointed to eternal life.

Forms and Transliterations
ποιμνη ποίμνη ποιμνην ποίμνην ποιμνης ποίμνης poimne poimnē poímne poímnē poimnen poimnēn poímnen poímnēn poimnes poimnēs poímnes poímnēs
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 26:31 N-GFS
GRK: πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης
NAS: AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.'
KJV: the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
INT: sheep of the flock

Luke 2:8 N-AFS
GRK: ἐπὶ τὴν ποίμνην αὐτῶν
NAS: watch over their flock by night.
KJV: over their flock by night.
INT: over the flock of them

John 10:16 N-NFS
GRK: γενήσονται μία ποίμνη εἷς ποιμήν
NAS: one flock [with] one
KJV: one fold, [and] one
INT: there will be one flock one shepherd

1 Corinthians 9:7 N-AFS
GRK: τίς ποιμαίνει ποίμνην καὶ ἐκ
NAS: tends a flock and does not use
KJV: who feedeth a flock, and eateth
INT: who shepherds a flock and of

1 Corinthians 9:7 N-GFS
GRK: γάλακτος τῆς ποίμνης οὐκ ἐσθίει
NAS: the milk of the flock?
KJV: of the milk of the flock?
INT: milk of the flock not does drink

Strong's Greek 4167
5 Occurrences


ποίμνη — 1 Occ.
ποίμνην — 2 Occ.
ποίμνης — 2 Occ.

4166
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