ἐκλέγω
eklegō
to select
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐκλέγω (eklegō) means "to select." This verb is used 22 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in various contexts. The act of selection often implies a choice between options, and in the biblical usage, it can imply a sense of preference, favor, or even separation. The range of usage for ἐκλέγω is quite broad, encompassing various aspects of life, including spiritual, social, and individual choices. In some instances, it is used to describe God's selection of individuals or groups for a specific purpose, such as choosing prophets or leaders. In other cases, it is used to describe human choices, like selecting a spouse or a path in life. The significance of ἐκλέγω lies in its emphasis on the importance of choice and selection in shaping one's life and relationships. By examining its usage in the Bible, we can gain insights into the value placed on making informed and intentional decisions, whether in spiritual or practical matters.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
22 total occurrences across the text
Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days.
Luke 6:13When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:
Luke 9:35A voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!”
Luke 10:42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 14:7He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them,
John 6:70Jesus answered them, “Didn’t I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”
John 13:18I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’
John 15:16You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
John 15:16You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
John 15:19If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Acts 1:2until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
Acts 1:24They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen
Acts 6:5These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;
Acts 13:17The God of this people chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they stayed as aliens in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm, he led them out of it.
Acts 15:7When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe.
Acts 15:22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
Acts 15:25it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
1 Corinthians 1:27but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong.
1 Corinthians 1:27but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong.
1 Corinthians 1:28God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don’t exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist,
Ephesians 1:4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love,
James 2:5Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?