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Greek · G4166, G4263, G3173 · unreviewed

ποιμένα τῶν προβάτων τὸν μέγαν

A shepherd (literally or figuratively) · sheep · big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

ποιμήν G4166 a shepherd (literally or figuratively)
Pronunciation poimḗn
Shepherd metaphor emphasizes protective, personal care for a flock; applied to Christ and church leaders.
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πρόβατον G4263 sheep
Pronunciation próbaton
In NT metaphor, denotes Christ's vulnerable followers dependent on their shepherd's protective care and guidance.
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μέγας G3173 big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
Pronunciation mégas
Describes size, intensity, rank, or importance—applies broadly across physical, moral, and spiritual dimensions
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What does ποιμένα τῶν προβάτων τὸν μέγαν (poimena tōn probatōn ton megan) mean in the Bible?

ποιμήν · πρόβατον · μέγας is a Greek word meaning "great Shepherd of the sheep".

Full entry for ποιμένα τῶν προβάτων τὸν μέγαν (G4166, G4263, G3173) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

great Shepherd of the sheep
Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Masculine Matt 25:32 · John 10:2 · John 10:11 · John 10:12 · John 10:14 · John 10:16 7×
Nominative · Plural · Masculine Luke 2:8 · Luke 2:15 · Luke 2:20 3×
Genitive · Plural · Masculine Luke 2:18 1×
Accusative · Singular · Masculine Matt 9:36 · Matt 26:31 · Mark 6:34 · Mark 14:27 · Heb 13:20 · 1 Pet 2:25 6×
Accusative · Plural · Masculine Eph 4:11 1×
18 total occurrences across all forms in the biblical text Morphology: MorphGNT SBLGNT — CC BY-SA 3.0
Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Acts 19 — The Word of the Lord Grows Mightily in Ephesus John 10 — The Good Shepherd, the Door, and the Son One with the Father John 21 — The Risen Lord Restores, Commissions, Shepherds, and Testifies through His Witness Luke 2 — The Savior Born, Revealed, Presented, and Growing in Wisdom Luke 24 — The Risen Christ Opens the Scriptures, Commissions Witnesses, and Ascends in Blessing Luke 7 — The Compassionate Lord Who Heals, Raises, Confirms, and Forgives Mark 14 — The Son of Man Handed Over: Anointing, Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, Trial, and Denial Mark 15 — The Crucified King: Condemnation, Mockery, Death, Confession, and Burial Mark 16 — He Has Risen: The Empty Tomb, the Angelic Announcement, Galilee Promise, and Trembling Witness Mark 4 — The Mystery of the Kingdom: Hearing, Fruitfulness, and the Lord over the Storm Mark 5 — The Authority of Jesus over Demons, Disease, and Death Mark 6 — Rejected Prophet, Sending Lord, Wilderness Shepherd, and Divine Son on the Sea Matthew 10 — The Mission of the Twelve, Costly Witness, and Allegiance to Christ Matthew 12 — The Lord of the Sabbath, the Servant of the Lord, and the Crisis of Unbelief Matthew 15 — Tradition, the Heart, Gentile Faith, and the Compassionate Bread of the Messiah Matthew 18 — Kingdom Humility, Care for the Little Ones, Discipline, and Forgiveness in Christ’s Community Matthew 2 — The Messiah Worshiped, Threatened, Preserved, and Called Out of Egypt Matthew 20 — The First-Last Kingdom, the Ransom-Giving Son of Man, and Mercy for the Blind Matthew 22 — The Wedding Banquet, the King’s Invitation, and the Messiah Who Is David’s Lord Matthew 23 — Woes upon Hypocritical Leadership and the Lament over Jerusalem Matthew 24 — The Olivet Discourse: Temple Desolation, Coming Judgment, the Son of Man, and Watchful Readiness Matthew 25 — Readiness, Stewardship, and the Final Judgment of the Son of Man Matthew 7 — Kingdom Discernment, the Narrow Way, and the Wise Builder Matthew 8 — The Authority of Jesus over Uncleanness, Sickness, Discipleship, Storms, and Demons Matthew 9 — Authority to Forgive, Mercy for Sinners, and Compassion for the Harvest

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

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