from πρόβατον; relating to sheep, i.e. (a gate) through which they were led into Jerusalem:--sheep (market).
Transliteration:probatikós
Pronunciation:prob-at-ik-os'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective G4262 (προβατικός, *probatikós*) is derived directly from the noun `{{G4263}}` (πρόβατον, *probaton*), meaning "sheep." Therefore, its core meaning is "relating to sheep," "of sheep," or "for sheep." In its sole New Testament occurrence, it functions as an attributive adjective describing a specific gate in Jerusalem, rendering it the "Sheep Gate." This indicates a narrow and precise semantic range in biblical usage, referring to something pertaining to or designated for sheep, specifically their passage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word G4262 appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of John:
* [[John 5:2]]: "Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes."
In this context, προβατικός modifies πύλη (pylē, "gate"), hence "Sheep Gate" (πύλη προβατική). This gate was a well-known landmark in Jerusalem, situated near the Temple Mount. Historically, it was the gate through which sheep, intended for sacrifice at the Temple, were brought into the city. The narrative in John places Jesus at this location, by the Pool of Bethesda, where He performs a miraculous healing of a paralytic. The detail of the "Sheep Gate" serves to ground the narrative geographically and historically, while also subtly invoking the sacrificial system central to Jewish worship.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation is to its root, `{{G4263}}` (πρόβατον), the common Greek word for "sheep." This connection immediately brings to mind several significant biblical themes:
* **Shepherd Imagery:** The relationship between sheep and their shepherd is a pervasive metaphor throughout Scripture, depicting God as the Shepherd of His people (e.g., [[Psalm 23:1]], [[Ezekiel 34:11-16]]) and Jesus as the Good Shepherd (`{{G4166}}` ποιμήν) who lays down His life for the sheep ([[John 10:11]]).
* **Sacrifice and Atonement:** The "Sheep Gate" was the conduit for sacrificial animals entering Jerusalem. This naturally links G4262 to the Old Testament sacrificial system (`{{H2077}}` זֶבַח, *zevach*; `{{G2378}}` θυσία, *thysia*) and the concept of atonement. The Paschal Lamb (`{{H6453}}` פֶּסַח, *pesach*) and the daily Temple sacrifices are particularly relevant.
* **Christ as the Lamb of God:** The symbolism of sheep in the context of sacrifice ultimately culminates in the New Testament depiction of Jesus Christ as the "Lamb of God" (`{{G286}}` ἀμνός) who takes away the sin of the world ([[John 1:29]], [[Revelation 5:6]]).
* **Old Testament Precedent:** The "Sheep Gate" is also mentioned in the Old Testament, notably in the book of Nehemiah, as one of the gates rebuilt after the Babylonian exile ([[Nehemiah 3:1]], [[Nehemiah 12:39]]), establishing its ancient and enduring significance.
### Theological Significance
While G4262 itself is a descriptive adjective, its singular occurrence within the context of [[John 5:2]] carries profound theological resonance. The "Sheep Gate," a place of entry for sacrificial animals, serves as a backdrop for Jesus' ministry.
1. **Symbolic of Christ's Sacrificial Role:** The very name of the gate subtly points to the ultimate purpose of Jesus' coming: to be the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for humanity's sins. Just as sheep passed through this gate to their sacrificial destiny, Christ, the Lamb of God, entered Jerusalem to fulfill His redemptive mission on the cross.
2. **Transition from Old to New Covenant:** The healing at the Pool of Bethesda, near the "Sheep Gate," can be seen as a symbolic bridge. The Pool, with its traditional, albeit unconfirmed, healing properties, represents the limitations of the Old Covenant's means of seeking divine favor. Jesus' direct, authoritative healing, however, signifies the advent of the New Covenant, where true healing and salvation come directly through His power and grace, superseding the need for animal sacrifices.
3. **Divine Providence in Location:** The Evangelist's specific mention of this gate is not merely geographical detail but highlights divine intentionality. It underscores that Jesus, the true "door" (`{{G2374}}` θύρα) to the sheepfold ([[John 10:7]]), performs a work of restoration at a place historically associated with the very creatures that prefigured His atoning work.
### Summary
The Greek word G4262 (προβατικός, *probatikós*) means "relating to sheep" and is exclusively used in the New Testament to describe the "Sheep Gate" in Jerusalem ([[John 5:2]]). This seemingly simple descriptive term takes on significant theological depth due to its historical function as the entry point for sacrificial sheep into the city. Its context in John's Gospel, where Jesus performs a healing miracle near this gate, subtly yet powerfully points to Christ Himself as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb of God. The "Sheep Gate" thus becomes a silent witness to the transition from the Old Covenant's system of animal sacrifice to the New Covenant's fulfillment in Christ's atoning work, marking a place where the prefiguring shadows met the divine reality of redemption.
TRV