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# keeper

noun (a keeper, keepers)

«keeper» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A keeper is a person who looks after something or someone, like a zookeeper or a shopkeeper. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#m1)
2. In football and hockey, the keeper (goalkeeper) stops the ball going into the goal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#m2)
3. In cricket, the wicketkeeper stands behind the stumps. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#m3)
4. Informally, a keeper is someone or something worth keeping. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#m4)

### In the lessons

In stories keepers guard places (a lighthouse keeper, the keeper of the keys); in PE the keeper protects the goal. Phrases: «goalkeeper», «zookeeper», «shopkeeper», «beekeeper», «finders keepers».

### Examples

- The keeper caught the ball. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#x1)
- The zookeeper fed the penguins. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#x2)
- The lighthouse keeper lived alone on the island. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#x3)
- My uncle is a beekeeper. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#x4)
- The shopkeeper gave me my change. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#x5)
- This drawing is a keeper! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#x6)
- «Finders keepers!» shouted my brother. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#x7)
- "I'm Elfin, the pig keeper," said the ragged youth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/#x8)

### Note

Countable. Often in compounds (goalkeeper, timekeeper, housekeeper). «Finders keepers» is a playground saying, but in real life lost things should be handed in or returned to their owner.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah a keeper is one who guards or looks after, such as a shepherd or a prison warden. Later it also names a gatekeeper or door-keeper, as in the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem. In Psalms God Himself is called the keeper of His people.

**Interpretation.** Cain's question "Am I my brother's keeper?" is taken in tradition to mean that each person is responsible for the well-being of others. "The LORD is thy keeper" is read as God's constant protection of each person.

### Examples

- And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. (Torah GEN.4.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keeper/#x1)
- And the LORD said unto Cain: 'Where is Abel thy brother?' And he said: 'I know not; am I my brother's keeper?' (Torah GEN.4.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keeper/#x2)
- But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (Torah GEN.39.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keeper/#x3)
- And Berechiah and Elkanah were door-keepers for the ark. (Writings 1CH.15.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keeper/#x4)
- The LORD is thy keeper; the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. (Writings PSA.121.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keeper/#x5)
- And after him repaired Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate. (Writings NEH.3.29, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keeper/#x6)

### Note

Countable. Often in compounds (goalkeeper, timekeeper, housekeeper). «Finders keepers» is a playground saying, but in real life lost things should be handed in or returned to their owner.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «keeper» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keeper/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«keeper» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/keeper.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «keeper» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keeper/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«keeper» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/keeper.html) on Mova free.