STRONGS NT 4262a: προβάτιονπροβάτιον, προβατιου, τό (diminutive of the following word), a little sheep: John 21:(16 T Tr marginal reading WH text), 17 T Tr WH text (Hippocrates, Aristophanes, Plato.)

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H6629 צֹאן (tso'n): Refers to small cattle, sheep, or goats, often used in the context of flocks.
• H7716 שֶׂה (seh): Specifically denotes a member of a flock, particularly a sheep or goat, used in sacrificial contexts.

These Hebrew terms reflect the significance of sheep in the religious and economic life of ancient Israel, paralleling the Greek usage of προβατικός in the New Testament. The connection between the Greek and Hebrew terms underscores the continuity of cultural and religious practices from the Old Testament to the New Testament era.

Usage: The term προβατικός is used in the context of locations or items associated with sheep, such as a gate or pool where sheep might be found or led.

Context: The Greek term προβατικός appears in the New Testament in the context of the "Sheep Gate" or "Sheep Pool" in Jerusalem. This term is specifically used in John 5:2, which states: "Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda, and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades." (BSB)

The "Sheep Gate" was a significant location in ancient Jerusalem, traditionally understood as the gate through which sheep were brought into the city, particularly for sacrificial purposes in the temple. The pool of Bethesda, located near this gate, was known for its healing properties, where a multitude of invalids would gather, hoping for a miraculous cure.

The use of προβατικός in this context highlights the cultural and religious practices of the time, where sheep played a crucial role in sacrificial rituals. The proximity of the pool to the Sheep Gate underscores the interconnectedness of daily life, religious observance, and the infrastructure of Jerusalem.