keeper

Everyday

1. A keeper is a person who looks after something or someone, like a zookeeper or a shopkeeper. tree →
2. In football and hockey, the keeper (goalkeeper) stops the ball going into the goal. tree →
3. In cricket, the wicketkeeper stands behind the stumps. tree →
4. Informally, a keeper is someone or something worth keeping. tree →

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 →
• The zookeeper fed the penguins. tree →
• The lighthouse keeper lived alone on the island. tree →
• My uncle is a beekeeper. tree →
• The shopkeeper gave me my change. tree →
• This drawing is a keeper! tree →
• «Finders keepers!» shouted my brother. tree →
• "I'm Elfin, the pig keeper," said the ragged youth. tree →

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 →
• 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 →
• 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 →
• And Berechiah and Elkanah were door-keepers for the ark. (Writings 1CH.15.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• The LORD is thy keeper; the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. (Writings PSA.121.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• And after him repaired Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate. (Writings NEH.3.29, JPS 1917) tree →

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.