Quick Definition
a shepherd
Strong's Definition
a shepherd (literally or figuratively)
Derivation: of uncertain affinity;
KJV Usage: shepherd, pastor
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ποιμήν, ποιμένος, ὁ (akin to the noun ποίᾳ, which see: (or from the root meaning 'to protect'; cf. Curtius, § 372; Fick 1:132)), from Homer down; the Sept. for ψΙςΖδ, a herdsman, especially a shepherd;
a. properly: Mat_9:36; Mat_25:32; Mat_26:31; Mar_6:34; Mar_14:27; Luk_2:8; Luk_2:15; Luk_2:18; Luk_2:20; Joh_10:2; Joh_10:12; in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow, Joh_10:11; Joh_10:14.
b. metaphorically, the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church, Joh_10:16; 1Pe_2:25; Heb_13:20 (of the Jewish Messiah, Eze_34:23); of the overseers of the Christian assemblies (A. V. pastors), Eph_4:11; cf. Ritschl, Entstehung der altkathol. Kirche, edition 2, p. 350f; (Hatch, Barnpron Lects. for 1880, p. 123f). (Of kings and princes we find ποιμένες λαῶν in Homer and Hesiod.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ποιμήν poimēn 18x
one who tends flocks or herds, a shepherd, herdsman, Mat_9:36 ; Mat_25:32 ;
met. a pastor, superintendent, guardian, Joh_10:11 ; Joh_10:14 ; Joh_10:16 pastor; shepherd.
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ποιμήν , -ίνος , ὁ ,
[in LXX for H7462 ;]
a shepherd: Mat_9:36 ; Mat_25:32 ; Mat_26:31 ( LXX ), Mar_6:34 ; Mar_14:27 , Luk_2:8 ; Luk_2:15 ; Luk_2:18 ; Luk_2:20 Joh_10:2 ; Joh_10:12 Metaph ., of Christ; Joh_10:11 ; Joh_10:14 ; Joh_10:16 Heb_13:20 , 1Pe_2:25 ; of Christian pastors, Eph_4:11 ( cf. Hom ., Il , i, 263, ποιμένα λαῶν ).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ποιμήν [page 524]
shepherd, is naturally common, and does not always occur in a very favourable light : cf. P Magd 6 .11 (B.C. 221) προστάξαι Διοφάνει . . μὴ περιιδεῖμ με ἀνόμως ὑβριζόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν ποιμένων , P Ryl II. 152 .5 (A.D. 42) ἐπαφέντε (ς ) οἱ ποιμένες . . . ἃ ἔχουσι πρόβατα εἰς ἃς ἔχωι νομὰς ἐν ἐλαιῶ (νι ) Θερμουθαρίου , the shepherds let their flocks into the pasturage which I have in the olive-yard of Thermoutharion ,
The word is also used of a lessee of sheep (μισθωτὴς προβάτων ), cf. P Lond 851 (A.D. 216 219) (= III. p. 48), and the introd. to P Strass I. 24 (A.D. 118), also Archiv iv. P. 533.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ποιμήν, -ίνος, ὁ
[in LXX for רָעָה ;]
a shepherd: Mat.9:36 25:32 26:31" (LXX), Mrk.6:34 14:27, Luk.2:8, 15 2:18, 20 Jhn.10:2, 12 Metaphorical, of Christ; Jhn.10:11, 14 10:16 Heb.13:20, 1Pe.2:25; of Christian pastors, Eph.4:11 (cf. Hom., Il, i, 263, ποιμένα λαῶν).†
(AS)