UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to feed, to cause to eat

Semantic entry: 23.10

Semantic domains: Physiological Processes and States

Subdomains: Eat, Drink

Definition: to cause animals to eat, particularly pasturing animals

Notes: It is possible to interpret βόσκω in RV JHN 21:15 · LV JHN 21:15 · Read together JHN 21:15 as meaning ‘to tend’ or ‘to take care of,’ especially since βόσκω occurs in a figurative context referring to people. Such an interpretation may be classified in Domain 35 Help, Care For Subdomain D Care For, Take Care Of, as a figurative meaning. However, it seems more likely that βόσκω in RV JHN 21:15 · LV JHN 21:15 · Read together JHN 21:15 should be understood as an instance of figurative usage, and as such it may also be interpreted as βόσκω[b] ‘to take care of,’ 44.1: βόσκω.

Forms: βόσκομαι[a]

Sense 2: to take care of, to herd, to look after

Semantic entry: 44.1

Semantic domains: Animal Husbandry, Fishing

Definition: to herd animals so as to provide them with adequate pasture and to take care of what other needs may be involved

Notes: For another interpretation of βόσκω in RV JHN 21:15 · LV JHN 21:15 · Read together JHN 21:15, see βόσκω[a] 23.10: βόσκω.

Forms: βόσκομαι[b]

Sense 3: to graze, to feed

Semantic entry: 23.9

Semantic domains: Physiological Processes and States

Subdomains: Eat, Drink

Definition: eating by animals

Notes: In some languages a distinction is made in terms relating to eating by animals on the basis of the type of food involved, for example, animals which graze on grass in contrast with those who eat refuse, roots, acorns, etc. An additional distinction is sometimes made in the case of animals which are largely meat-eating in contrast with those that are predominantly plant-eating.

Forms: βόσκομαι[c]