Lexical Definition
πρόβατον próbaton (prob'-at-on) sheep G:N-N
probably neuter of a presumed derivative of προβαίνω
sheep(-fold).
- something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e. (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)
Abbott-Smith
πρόβατον, -ου, τό (< προβαίνω), [in LXX chiefly for צֹאן, also for שֶׂה, more rarely for כֶּבֶשׂ (כֶּשֶׂב), רָחֵל;]
1. in Hom., Hdt., cattle, esp. of small cattle, sheep and goats.
2. In NT, as in Attic writers generally (cf. MM, xxi), a sheep: Mt 7:15, Mk 6:34, al.; πρόβατα σφαγῆς, Ro 8:36(LXX). Metaph. (in cl. of timidity, stupidity or idleness), of the followers of a leader or master, esp. of those who are subject to the care of the Good Shepherd: Mt 10:6 15:24 26:31(LXX), Mk 14:27(LXX), Jo 10:7, 8, 15, 16, 26, 27 21:16, 17 (WH txt., προβάτια), He 13:20; opp. to ἐρίφια, Mt 25:33.
Abbott-Smith References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Matthew | 7:15 · 10:6 · 15:24 · 25:33 · 26:31 |
| Mark | 6:34 · 14:27 |
| John | 10:7 · 10:8 · 10:15 · 10:16 · 10:26 · 10:27 · 21:16 · 21:17 |
| Romans | 8:36 |
| Hebrews | 13:20 |
Liddell-Scott-Jones
πρόβατον, τό,
frequently in plural πρόβατα (but also in singular, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; irregular dative πρόβασι[Refs 5th c.AD+] — used (among the Ionians and Dorians) of all four-footed cattle, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of Europa's bull, [Refs 8th c.BC+] generally of cattle, flocks and herds, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; τὰ π. καὶ καρταίποδα [Refs]; opposed to ἄνθρωποι, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; τὰ λεπτὰ τῶν π. small cattle, i.e. sheep and goats, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; so later, π. ἀπὸ τῶν ἀρνῶν καὶ τῶν ἐρίφων λήψεσθε [LXX] almost invariably of sheep, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; so in later Boeotian dialect, [Refs]: generally, animals for slaughter, whether for sacrifices, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; or for food, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__2 proverbial of stupid, lazy people, ἀριθμός, πρόβατ᾽ ἄλλως [Refs 5th c.BC+] more sheepish than a sheep, uncertain conjecture in [Refs 5th c.BC+]; χρυσοῦν π., = Latin pecus aurea, as nickname, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]: in other proverbs, τοὺς γευομένους κύνας τῶν π. κατακόπτειν φασὶ δεῖν [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__II name of a sea-fish, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]. (Orig. of small cattle, sheep and goats, which in primitive mixed herds walk in front (προβαίνει) of the larger animals.)
LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.Exod.12.5