A noun meaning flock, properly of sheep, extending metaphorically to the community of believers under pastoral care. In Matt 26:31, Jesus quotes Zech 13:7: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered' — applying the prophecy to his own arrest and the disciples' flight. Luke 2:8 places it in the nativity: shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. John 10:16 contains Jesus' vision of unity: 'there will be one flock and one shepherd.' Paul uses it in 1 Cor 9:7 to argue for apostolic support: 'Who tends a flock and does not drink its milk?' The German 'Herde' and French 'troupeau' both carry the same pastoral warmth.