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ἐκλογή

eklogḗ

G1589 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The act or process of selecting or choosing; in specific contexts, denotes a chosen group, object, or person, or the quality/state of having been chosen. Most commonly in Koine Greek sources, it refers to selection or choice by a person or by a deity, including the designation of individuals, groups, or things as set apart or selected for a particular purpose.

Semantic Range

choosing, selection, act of choosing, chosen group, state of having been chosen, election (in the sense of designation or selection), chosen objects or persons

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἐκλέγομαι ('to choose, select, pick out'), with the abstract noun suffix -ή indicating the action or result of the verb. Thus, ἐκλογή is directly formed as 'act of choosing' or 'selection.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐκλογή is rare but found with reference to the act of choosing or selecting, including the choices of goods or people. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, the term expands to include selection by God or the gods, as in the designation of nations (like the Israelites) or individuals as specially chosen. In the Septuagint (LXX), ἐκλογή translates Hebrew terms for 'chosen' (e.g., בְּחִירָה), particularly in the context of divine selection (e.g., the chosen people or king). In the New Testament, ἐκλογή appears primarily in contexts pertaining to divine selection or appointment, especially relating to the designation of groups or individuals valued or set apart by God. While later English translations often render ἐκλογή as 'election' or 'chosen,' these renderings may import later theological meanings not always present in the Greek; the primary sense in Koine remains simply 'selection' or 'chosen group.' The term is structurally related to ἐκλεκτός ('chosen one, select'), further clarifying its sense as a group or person designated as distinct by an act of choosing, not merely theoretical or abstract 'election.' Expression of 'election' is contextually dependent on whether the reference is to individuals, groups, or an abstract process, and does not always imply predestination or a technical doctrine.

Translation Consistency

primary "choose" 0 occurrences

ἐκλογή centers on the act/process of selecting or designating. The verb “choose” is the most natural, broadly applicable English term that covers choosing, selection, and designation (including the sense of a chosen group). It is neutral (unlike “elect,” which can sound political/theological) and easily yields related forms (choice, choosing, chosen) to render the noun’s semantic range consistently.

Alternatives (7 occurrences):
"selection" (7x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκλέγομαι; (divine) selection (abstractly or concretely):--chosen, election.

Root Family

ἐκλογή (eklogē) — choosing, selection, act of choosing, chosen group, state of being chosen

Root ἐκλεγ- to choose, to select, to pick out

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1589-02 ἐκλογὴν eklogen N ACC F SG election selection selection 5
G1589-01 ἐκλογὴ ekloge N NOM F SG election selection selection 1
G1589-03 ἐκλογῆς ekloges N GEN F SG chosen of selection of selection 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1589-03 Acts 9:15 ἐκλογῆς ekloges N GEN F SG chosen of selection of selection
G1589-02 Romans 9:11 ἐκλογὴν eklogen N ACC F SG election selection selection
G1589-02 Romans 11:5 ἐκλογὴν eklogen N ACC F SG election selection selection
G1589-01 Romans 11:7 ἐκλογὴ ekloge N NOM F SG election selection selection
G1589-02 Romans 11:28 ἐκλογὴν eklogen N ACC F SG election selection selection
G1589-02 1 Thessalonians 1:4 ἐκλογὴν eklogen N ACC F SG election selection selection
G1589-02 2 Peter 1:10 ἐκλογὴν eklogen N ACC F SG election selection selection
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