Quick Definition
a little flock
Strong's Definition
a flock, i.e. (figuratively) group (of believers)
Derivation: neuter of a presumed derivative of G4167 (ποίμνη);
KJV Usage: flock
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ποίμνιον, ποιμνίου, τό (contracted from ποιμενιον, equivalent to ποίμνη, see ποιμήν; (on the accent cf. Winers Grammar, 52; Chandler § 313 b.)), a flock (especially) of sheep: so of a group of Christ's disciples, Luk_12:32; of bodies of Christians (churches) presided over by elders (cf. references under the word ποιμήν, b.), Act_20:28-29; 1Pe_5:3; with a possessive genitive added, τοῦ Θεοῦ, 1Pe_5:2, as in Jer_13:17; τοῦ Χριστοῦ, Clement of Rome, 1Co_16:1-24; 1Co_1:1-31 [ET]; 44, 3 [ET]; 54, 2 [ET]; 57, 2 [ET]. (Herodotus, Sophicles, Euripides, Plato, Lucian, others; the Sept. chiefly for ςΕγΖψ and φΙΰο.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ποίμνιον poimnion 5x
a flock; met. a flock of Christian disciples, Luk_12:32 ; Act_20:28-29 ; 1Pe_5:2-3
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ποίμνιον , -ου , τό , = ποίμνη , q.v. ,
[in LXX chiefly for H6629 , also for H5739 , etc.;]
a flock , prop ., of sheep. Metaph ., of Christians: Luk_12:32 , Act_20:23 ; Act_20:28 , 1Pe_5:3 ; τ . θεοῦ , ib . 1Pe_5:2 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ποίμνιον [page 524]
a flock the diminutive meaning, as in late Greek generally, cannot be pressed, cf. P Ryl II. 114 .20 ( c. A.D. 280), where a widow complains to the praefect that her husband s former master had seized certain flocks belonging to the deceased, καὶ μέχρι τῆς σήμε [ρον οἰκειῶν τ ]υγχάνι τὰ ἡμέτερα ποίμνια , and until this day he remains in possession of our flocks (Edd.). Cf. Aristeas 170 βουκολίων καὶ ποιμνίων , herds and flocks.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ποίμνιον ποίμνιον, ου, τό, syncop. for ποιμένιον, ῀ ποίμνη, "a flock", Hdt. , Soph. , etc. metaph. of disciples, NTest.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ποίμνιον, -ου, τό, = ποίμνη, which see
[in LXX chiefly for צֹאן, also for עֵדֶר, etc. ;]
a flock, prop., of sheep. Metaphorical, of Christians: Luk.12:32, Act.20:23, 28, 1Pe.5:3; τ. θεοῦ, ib. 1Pe.5:2.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Flock (4168) poimnion
Flock (4168) (poimnion from poimen = shepherd) was literally a flock of sheep but in the NT is applied only figuratively to spiritual sheep that make the community of Jesus' disciples, citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The TDNT explains that
The term poÃmnÃ" or poÃmnion is used for flocks or herds of sheep or cattle numbering from 20 to over 500. A mixed herd is in view in Mt. 25:32; such herds are common in ancient Palestine. The sheep and goats pasture together but are separated at night because goats are more susceptible to cold. On summer nights several shepherds come together with their flocks and watch over them in open fields. For better protection the flock might be kept in a walled court with the door closed and the shepherds on guard. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans)
Poimnion is used only 5 times in the NT (twice by Peter, 1Peter 5:2-3), the other 3 uses shown below...
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32) (What kingdom? See related discussions on [1] Kingdom of heaven [2] Kingdom of Heaven; [3] Click here to study over 100 uses of the "Kingdom" most of which refer to the Kingdom of Heaven/God)
(Paul's farewell address to the Ephesian elders) “Be on guard (see discussion of same verb in similar context in Matthew 7:15 note) for yourselves and for all the flock (poimnion), among which the Holy Spirit (Who?) has made you overseers (see episkopos), to shepherd (poimaino - see discussion above) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing (see pheidomai) the flock (poimnion) (Acts 20:28, 29)
The comparison of God's people to a flock of sheep and the Lord to a Shepherd is prominent in Scripture and it is very instructive (eg, see Ps 23:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 100:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Is 40:11; Lk 15:4-6; Jn 10:1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; Acts 20:28; Heb 13:20, 21; 1Pe 2:25; Rev 7:17). We were once stray sheep, wandering toward ruin; but the Good Shepherd found us and restored us to the fold.
Warren Wiersbe has an excellent amplification of the picture of God's children pictured as sheep...
Sheep are clean animals, unlike dogs and pigs (2Pe 2:20, 21-note,2Pe 2:22-note).
Sheep tend to flock together, and God’s people need to be together. (Heb 10:24-25-note)
Sheep are notoriously ignorant and prone to wander away if they do not follow the shepherd.
Sheep are defenseless, for the most part, and need their shepherd to protect them (Ps 23:4-note).
Sheep are very useful animals. Jewish shepherds tended their sheep, not for the meat (which would have been costly) but for the wool, milk, and lambs. God’s people should be useful to Him and certainly ought to “reproduce” themselves by bringing others to Christ. (Mt 28:18-20)
Sheep were used for the sacrifices, and we ought to be “living sacrifices,” doing the will of God (Ro 12:1-note, Ro 12:2-note). (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary - New Testament. 1989. Victor or Logos or Wordsearch)