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ἐκλεκτός

eklektós

G1588 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Selected out from among others; chosen for a particular purpose, service, or privilege. Denotes being picked out as distinct from a larger group, often for a specific function, status, or role. In Koine usage, it may refer collectively to persons or things identified as specially appointed, valued, or set apart.

Semantic Range

chosen, selected, specially appointed, distinguished, set apart for a purpose, of superior or choice quality, the chosen (as a group), select persons or things

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἐκλέγομαι (eklegomai, 'to choose out'), which is composed of ἐκ ('out of') and λέγω ('to pick, to say'). The adjective ἐκλεκτός is a verbal adjective formed from this compound verb, conveying the sense of one actively chosen or selected.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐκλεκτός appears in reference to what is selected or picked out, often in contexts such as choice goods, selected troops, or anything considered of superior quality. By Hellenistic and Koine periods, the adjective commonly designates individuals or groups set apart for distinctive status or purpose, both in secular and religious context. In the Septuagint, ἐκλεκτός frequently translates Hebrew concepts such as 'chosen (by God)', applied to Israel, key individuals, or select elements, with an emphasis on divine choice and favor. In the New Testament, it often refers to people whom God has 'chosen'—sometimes individuals, in other contexts a collective community—particularly in contrast to those not 'chosen.' English translations often render it 'chosen' or 'elect,' but 'elect' can import later theological associations, whereas the Koine sense primarily conveys being selected for a purpose or as recipients of some status or benefit. The nuance of valued or superior, as in 'choice' (goods, items), is also attested in secular literature.

Translation Consistency

primary "chosen" 22 occurrences

ἐκλεκτός most commonly and naturally renders as “chosen” (19 of 22 P2 occurrences). It captures both the adjectival sense (“selected, set apart”) and the substantive use (“the chosen” as a group) in plain, contemporary English, avoiding the more archaic ‘elect.’

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκλέγομαι; select; by implication, favorite:--chosen, elect.

Root Family

λεκ- (eklégomai) — to choose, to select, to pick out

Root λεκ- to pick, to choose, to select
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1586 ἐκλέγομαι having been chosen

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1588-05 ἐκλεκτῶν eklekton ADJ.S GEN M PL elect of the chosen ones chosen 8
G1588-07 ἐκλεκτοὺς eklektous ADJ.S ACC M PL elect the chosen ones the chosen ones 7
G1588-03 ἐκλεκτοί eklektoi ADJ.P NOM M PL chosen chosen ones chosen ones 3
G1588-01 ἐκλεκτῇ eklekte ADJ.A DAT F SG elect to a chosen one to the chosen woman 1
G1588-02 ἐκλεκτῆς eklektes ADJ.R GEN F SG elect of a chosen (feminine singular) chosen 1
G1588-04 ἐκλεκτοῖς eklektois ADJ.A DAT M PL to the elect to chosen ones to chosen ones 1
G1588-06 ἐκλεκτός eklektos ADJ.S NOM M SG chosen chosen one chosen one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

22 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1588-03 Matthew 22:14 ἐκλεκτοί eklektoi ADJ.P NOM M PL chosen chosen ones chosen ones
G1588-07 Matthew 24:22 ἐκλεκτοὺς eklektous ADJ.S ACC M PL elect the chosen ones the chosen ones
G1588-07 Matthew 24:24 ἐκλεκτούς eklektous ADJ.S ACC M PL elect the chosen ones the chosen ones
G1588-07 Matthew 24:31 ἐκλεκτοὺς eklektous ADJ.S ACC M PL elect the chosen ones the chosen ones
G1588-07 Mark 13:20 ἐκλεκτοὺς eklektous ADJ.S ACC M PL elect the chosen ones the chosen ones
G1588-07 Mark 13:22 ἐκλεκτούς eklektous ADJ.S ACC M PL elect the chosen ones the chosen ones
G1588-07 Mark 13:27 ἐκλεκτοὺς eklektous ADJ.S ACC M PL elect the chosen ones the chosen ones
G1588-05 Luke 18:7 ἐκλεκτῶν eklekton ADJ.S GEN M PL elect of the chosen ones of the chosen ones
G1588-06 Luke 23:35 ἐκλεκτός eklektos ADJ.S NOM M SG chosen chosen one chosen one
G1588-05 Romans 8:33 ἐκλεκτῶν eklekton ADJ.S GEN M PL elect of the chosen ones of the chosen ones
G1588-05 Romans 16:13 ἐκλεκτὸν eklekton ADJ.R ACC M SG chosen of the chosen ones chosen
G1588-03 Colossians 3:12 ἐκλεκτοὶ eklektoi ADJ.S NOM M PL elect chosen ones chosen ones
G1588-05 1 Timothy 5:21 ἐκλεκτῶν eklekton ADJ.A GEN M PL elect of the chosen ones of the chosen ones
G1588-07 2 Timothy 2:10 ἐκλεκτούς eklektous ADJ.S ACC M PL chosen the chosen ones the chosen ones
G1588-05 Titus 1:1 ἐκλεκτῶν eklekton ADJ.S GEN M PL elect of the chosen ones of the chosen ones
G1588-04 1 Peter 1:1 ἐκλεκτοῖς eklektois ADJ.A DAT M PL to the elect to chosen ones to chosen ones
G1588-05 1 Peter 2:4 ἐκλεκτὸν eklekton ADJ.S ACC M SG chosen of the chosen ones chosen
G1588-05 1 Peter 2:6 ἐκλεκτὸν eklekton ADJ.A ACC M SG elect of the chosen ones chosen
G1588-05 1 Peter 2:9 ἐκλεκτόν eklekton ADJ.A NOM N SG chosen of the chosen ones chosen
G1588-01 2 John 1:1 ἐκλεκτῇ eklekte ADJ.A DAT F SG elect to a chosen one to the chosen woman
G1588-02 2 John 1:13 ἐκλεκτῆς eklektes ADJ.R GEN F SG elect of a chosen (feminine singular) chosen
G1588-03 Revelation 17:14 ἐκλεκτοὶ eklektoi ADJ.S NOM M PL chosen chosen ones chosen ones
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