νομή

pasturage, growth

Definition

The Greek word νομή (nomē) primarily means 'pasture' or 'pasturage,' referring to a place where flocks graze. In John 10:9, Jesus uses this literal sense, describing Himself as the gate through which sheep enter to find 'pasture' (νομή), symbolizing spiritual provision and safety. Metaphorically, the word extends to mean 'growth' or 'spreading increase,' as seen in 2 Timothy 2:17, where false teaching is said to spread like gangrene—a destructive, invasive growth. Thus, νομή encompasses both positive provision and negative, unchecked expansion depending on context.

Biblical Usage

Νομή appears only twice in the New Testament, in two distinct contexts. In John 10:9, it is used positively within Jesus' 'Good Shepherd' discourse, illustrating the abundant life and security He provides. In 2 Timothy 2:17, it is used negatively in a pastoral epistle, describing the corrosive spread of false doctrine. This shows the word's flexibility: it can depict either beneficial sustenance or harmful proliferation.

Etymology

Νομή derives from the verb νέμω (nemō), meaning 'to distribute,' 'to manage,' or 'to pasture.' It is related to νομός (nomos), meaning 'a district' or 'pastureland,' and shares a root with the more common word νόμος (nomos, G3551), 'law,' which originally conveyed the idea of 'that which is assigned or customary.' Thus, νομή carries the core idea of a designated place or provision for grazing, from which the metaphorical sense of 'growth' naturally develops.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects the imagery of God as shepherd (Psalm 23) with Christ's claim in John 10. Understanding νομή enriches the reading of John 10:9 by highlighting that Jesus doesn't merely offer entry but ongoing, nourishing sustenance in His care. The contrasting use in 2 Timothy 2:17 warns that spiritual nourishment can be corrupted, making discernment between true pasture (sound teaching) and invasive growth (error) vital for the church's health.

In an agrarian society, 'pasture' (νομή) was essential for survival, representing security, provision, and the flourishing of livestock. A shepherd's primary duty was to lead sheep to good pasture. This cultural reality makes Jesus' metaphor in John 10 powerfully relatable: He is the one who provides ultimate security and sustenance. The negative metaphor in 2 Timothy also draws on a common understanding of unchecked growth (like gangrene or a weed) as a threat to the health of a body or field.

βοσκός (boskos, G1006) — a herdsman or feeder, focusing on the person tending the pasture. ποίμνη (poimnē, G4167) — a flock, the group that inhabits the pasture. τρέφω (trephō, G5142) — to nourish or feed, the action provided by the pasture.

Word Details

Scripture References