Greek word · G4168

ποίμνιον

poimnion

flock

A flock, usually of sheep. In form it is a smaller version of ποίμνη ("flock"), but in everyday Greek of the time it simply meant "flock," so the "little" in this verse comes from μικρόν, not from the noun. Used figuratively for a community under a leader's care.

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 24, 2026

What it means

ποίμνιον, -ου, τό, = ποίμνη, which see

[in LXX chiefly for צֹאן, also for עֵדֶר, etc. ;]

a flock, prop., of sheep. Metaphorical, of Christians: Luke 12:32, Acts 20:23, 28, 1 Peter 5:3; τ. θεοῦ, ib. 1 Peter 5:2.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Luke 12:32

Range of meaning: A flock, usually of sheep. In form it is a smaller version of ποίμνη ("flock"), but in everyday Greek of the time it simply meant "flock," so the "little" in this verse comes from μικρόν, not from the noun. Used figuratively for a community under a leader's care.
Against the English: All the major versions say "flock." Little is lost, but modern city readers may miss that sheep are defenceless and wholly dependent on a shepherd.
Used elsewhere in the period: Israel's scriptures regularly picture God as shepherd and Israel as his flock (Ps 23; 80:1; Isa 40:11; Ezek 34; Jer 13:17 LXX, "the Lord's flock"). In Ezekiel 34, God himself gathers the scattered sheep. Psalms of Solomon 17:40 pictures the Messiah "shepherding the Lord's flock faithfully." The "Animal Apocalypse" in 1 Enoch 85–90 tells Israel's history as the story of sheep and their Lord. Elsewhere in the New Testament the word is used for the community of believers (Acts 20:28–29; 1 Pet 5:2–3).

From the study of 1 Peter 5:2

Range of meaning: Poimnion is a flock, usually of sheep and goats; in the New Testament it is used figuratively for Jesus' followers (Luke 12:32; Acts 20:28–29). The genitive "of God" marks ownership.
Against the English: English versions agree on "flock of God". The NIV's "under your care" and the NLT's "entrusted to you" paraphrase the simple "among you". They catch the idea of entrustment but lose the point that the elders stand among the flock, not above it.
Used elsewhere in the period: Israel is "the flock of his pasture" (Psalm 95:7; 100:3) and God's flock in Ezekiel 34:31 and Jeremiah 23:1–4. Acts 20:28 says the church is God's, obtained "with his own blood". In the Old Testament, shepherds who forget that the flock is not theirs are judged by its owner.

From the study of 1 Peter 5:3

Range of meaning: A flock, usually of sheep. Used figuratively for a community under a leader's care (Luke 12:32 'little flock'; Acts 20:28–29).
Against the English: 'Flock' in all versions. It is accurate. NLT drops the word and paraphrases.
Used elsewhere in the period: The Old Testament often calls Israel God's flock (Ps 100:3; Jer 23:1–4). Ezekiel 34 condemns shepherds who fed themselves and ruled the sheep 'with force and harshness' (34:4), and promises that God himself will shepherd them. Paul tells the Ephesian elders to 'shepherd the church of God' and watch out for wolves (Acts 20:28–29).

Where it appears

Luke · 1

Luke 12:32 ποίμνιον, flock,

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

Here: A flock of sheep. In Israel's scriptures this is the standard picture of God's people under a shepherd. It implies they are vulnerable and dependent, and that someone is caring for them.

Acts · 2

Acts 20:28 ποιμνίῳ, flock

Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

Here: A small-flock word (diminutive in form, though by this time it simply meant "flock"). It sets up the shepherd and wolf picture that runs through vv. 28–29.
Acts 20:29 ποιμνίου, flock,

I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

Here: The same word as v. 28, 'all the flock' over which the Spirit made them overseers. It is God's flock, bought 'with his own blood', so the wolves are attacking something infinitely costly.

1 Peter · 2

1 Peter 5:2 ποίμνιον flock

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;

Here: A flock of sheep and goats. Here it pictures the believing community, which echoes Israel's picture of itself as God's flock.
1 Peter 5:3 ποιμνίου· flock;

not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Here: Carries on the shepherd picture from verses 2 and 4. The flock is God's, and above the elders stands 'the Chief Shepherd' (v. 4) who will appear and judge their work.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.