1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: archipóimēn

Root Words:

• ἀρχή (archē): Beginning, chief, or ruler.
• ποιμήν (poimēn): Shepherd.

Primary Meanings:

• Chief Shepherd: The term refers to the leader or principal shepherd who oversees other shepherds and the flock.
• Principal Pastor: In a broader sense, it denotes a leading pastor or overseer in a religious context, especially within Christian ecclesiastical structure.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG describes ἀρχιποίμην as:

• Chief Shepherd: The term is used to denote a high-ranking shepherd or leader within a pastoral or ecclesiastical setting, emphasizing a supervisory role over other shepherds or pastors.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines ἀρχιποίμην as:

• Chief Shepherd: The leader of a group of shepherds or pastors, highlighting their principal role in guiding and protecting the flock.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary notes:

• Chief Shepherd: Refers to a leader or principal figure in the context of pastoral care or religious leadership.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon provides:

• Chief Shepherd: The term emphasizes the supervisory and leading role of a shepherd in a pastoral or religious context.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀρχιποίμην as “chief shepherd,” focusing on its use to denote the leading figure among shepherds.

Bible Verses:

• 1 Peter 5:4 (KJV): “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
• Here, ἀρχιποίμην is used to refer to Christ as the ultimate leader or chief shepherd.
• John 10:11 (KJV): “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
• Although not using ἀρχιποίμην directly, this verse illustrates the concept of a shepherd’s leadership and sacrificial role.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

In classic Greek literature, ἀρχιποίμην is less frequently encountered, but related terms appear in pastoral and leadership contexts:

• Homer’s Odyssey: The term ποιμήν (shepherd) is used to describe leaders and protectors of flocks, which provides a context for understanding ἀρχιποίμην as a chief shepherd.
• Xenophon’s Anabasis: Xenophon uses shepherding imagery to describe leadership and guiding roles, which is conceptually related to the idea of a chief shepherd.
• Plato’s Laws: While not directly using ἀρχιποίμην, Plato discusses the role of leaders and their responsibilities, akin to the supervisory role implied by the term.

4. Summary:

ἀρχιποίμην (G750: archipóimēn) signifies “chief shepherd,” denoting a principal or leading shepherd who oversees other shepherds or pastors. It emphasizes a leadership role within pastoral and ecclesiastical contexts. BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, and LSJ all align in describing it as a leader in shepherding or pastoral care. While the term is specific to its use in Christian ecclesiastical contexts, related shepherding and leadership imagery in classic Greek literature provides additional insight into its meaning and use.