first signifies "an open courtyard" before a house; then, "an enclosure" in the open, "a sheepfold," John 10:1,16 . In the papyri "the word is extremely common, denoting the court attached to a house" (Moulton and Milligan, Vocab.). The "sheepfold" was usually surrounded by a stone wall, Numbers 32:16 , preferably near a well, Exodus 2:16; Psalm 23:2 , and often protected by a tower, 2 Chronicles 26:10; Micah 4:8 . See COURT , HALL , PALACE.
Note: For the erroneous AV rendering, "fold," of poimne, "a flock," in John 10:16 , see FLOCK.