Word Study for G4165 (ποιμαίνω)

poimaínō /poy-mah'-ee-no/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ποιμήν

Meaningto tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser)

KJV usagefeed (cattle), rule.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of poimaínō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word poimaínō, represented by G4165, means to tend as a shepherd. It appears 11 times in 11 unique verses. Derived from the word for shepherd, ποιμήν, its meaning extends from the literal act of feeding cattle to the figurative role of a supervisor who rules.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G4165 is used to convey concepts of both care and authority. It is used to describe the responsibility of church leaders, whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers to feed the church of God Acts 20:28. This same charge is given to elders to feed the flock of God, not by constraint, but willingly 1 Peter 5:2. The term is also used prophetically to describe a Governor who will rule the people of Israel Matthew 2:6. This authoritative sense is prominent in Revelation, where Christ is depicted as one who will rule the nations with a rod of iron Revelation 19:15. In a negative sense, it describes false teachers who are focused only on feeding themselves Jude 1:12.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the dual nature of shepherding and ruling associated with G4165:

G4168 poímnion (a flock): This term refers to the group of believers under a shepherd's care. It is used directly with G4165 in the command to feed the flock of God 1 Peter 5:2.
G2233 hēgéomai (to lead, i.e. command): This word for a governor or leader appears alongside G4165 in the prophecy that a Governor would come forth to rule God's people Matthew 2:6, linking shepherding with official authority.
G1985 epískopos (a superintendent): This term for an overseer or bishop designates the office whose function is to feed the church. The Holy Ghost makes them overseers to feed the flock Acts 20:28.
G4464 rhábdos (a stick or wand): This word, meaning a rod or sceptre, is used to symbolize the authority with which a shepherd rules, as seen in the declaration that Christ will rule the nations with a rod of iron Revelation 19:15.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4165 is significant, defining key aspects of leadership and Christ's identity.

Pastoral Responsibility: The term establishes the core duty of spiritual leaders. They are not merely to administrate but to actively feed and care for the flock, as commanded by Peter 1 Peter 5:2. Jesus frames this as a direct commission to Peter, linking love for Christ to the act of feeding His sheep John 21:16.
Christ as Shepherd-King: G4165 is applied to Christ in his capacity as both a gentle caregiver and a powerful ruler. As the Lamb, he will feed his people and lead them to living fountains of water Revelation 7:17. As the victorious king, he will rule all nations with a rod of iron Revelation 12:5.
Authoritative Guidance: The act of shepherding implies more than just providing food; it includes authoritative guidance and protection. This is emphasized by its connection to ruling, establishing a model of leadership that is both nurturing and sovereign.

Summary

In summary, G4165 poimaínō is a dynamic term that encapsulates the dual responsibilities of a shepherd: to feed and to rule. It is used for literal animal husbandry, the duties of church elders, and the divine authority of Christ himself. The word illustrates the biblical model of leadership, which involves compassionate care, spiritual nourishment, and sovereign control, whether over a flock of sheep, the church of God, or all the nations.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 4×
Present Active Infinitive 2×
Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Present Active Imperative 2nd Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 11 verses across 8 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Revelation (4 verses); never once in the other 19.

Matthew

Luke

John

Acts

1 Corinthians

1 Peter

Jude

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.