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κλῆρος

klēros

G2819 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An object used to cast or draw lots; by extension, the lot itself as an assigned share, portion, inheritance, or privilege received, often by drawing lots but also by assignment, including metaphorical senses of destiny or status. In estate and legal contexts, denotes an assigned inheritance or property apportioned by lot. In religious and communal contexts, may refer to an allotted role, privilege, or membership in a group, particularly in relation to divine selection or portion.

Semantic Range

object used for casting lots, lot (used in decision-making), portion assigned by lot, inheritance or patrimonial share, destiny or fate, allocated role or privilege, group or membership allotted

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root κλα- (cf. κλάω, 'to break'), likely referencing fragments or pieces used as lots, such as shards of pottery or sticks. The connection is to the act of breaking objects into pieces for use in casting lots. Earliest uses in Homeric Greek point to 'lot' as an object drawn for decision-making or share division. The transition to mean 'portion' or 'inheritance' is metaphorical, deriving from the practice of distributing land or privilege by lottery.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, κλῆρος primarily denotes an object used to cast lots (such as a stone, stick, or pottery fragment). By Hellenistic times, the word's meaning expanded to include the share, portion, or inheritance obtained by drawing a lot, and more generally any assigned portion. In the Septuagint, κλῆρος frequently renders the Hebrew נַחֲלָה (nakhalah, 'inheritance') and גּוֹרָל (goral, 'lot'), especially with reference to the division of land among the tribes of Israel. In the New Testament, κλῆρος can denote (1) an object used for decision by chance (see Acts 1:26, casting lots for Matthias), (2) one's allotted portion or inheritance (Col 1:12), or (3) metaphorically, a sphere of responsibility or privilege (1 Pet 5:3: 'those allotted to you'). English translations often vary between 'lot,' 'inheritance,' 'share,' or 'portion,' depending on context. The concept of κλῆρος reflects the broader Greco-Roman and Near Eastern practice of allocating goods, property, or roles by lots, both by randomization and formalized assignment, and the term shifted naturally from the physical object to the abstract idea of assigned heritage or fate.

Translation Consistency

primary "lot" 8 occurrences

“Lot” is the most natural, flexible, and commonly attested English rendering for κλῆρος, covering both the object/act of casting lots and the resulting assigned portion, inheritance, or destiny. It matches the typical usage across contexts and the majority of attested P2 renderings.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"allotted share" (2x) "inheritance" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from κλάω (through the idea of using bits of wood, etc., for the purpose; a die (for drawing chances); by implication, a portion (as if so secured); by extension, an acquisition (especially a patrimony, figuratively):--heritage, inheritance, lot, part.

Root Family

κλῆρος (klēros) — lot, allotted portion, inheritance, assigned share

Root κληρ- to allot, to receive by lot, to assign a portion

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2819-01 κλῆρον kleron N ACC M SG lots an allotted share an allotted lot 7
G2819-02 κλῆρος kleros N NOM M SG lot allotted portion lot 2
G2819-04 κλήρους klerous N ACC M PL lots allotted portions lots 1
G2819-03 κλήρου klerou N GEN M SG inheritance of an allotted portion inheritance 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2819-01 Matthew 27:35 κλῆρον kleron N ACC M SG lots an allotted share an allotted lot
G2819-01 Mark 15:24 κλῆρον kleron N ACC M SG lots an allotted share an allotted lot
G2819-01 Luke 23:34 κλῆρον kleron N ACC M SG lots an allotted share an allotted lot
G2819-01 John 19:24 κλῆρον kleron N ACC M SG lots an allotted share an allotted lot
G2819-01 Acts 1:17 κλῆρον kleron N ACC M SG share an allotted share an allotted share
G2819-04 Acts 1:26 κλήρους klerous N ACC M PL lots allotted portions lots
G2819-02 Acts 1:26 κλῆρος kleros N NOM M SG lot allotted portion lot
G2819-02 Acts 8:21 κλῆρος kleros N NOM M SG lot allotted portion lot
G2819-01 Acts 26:18 κλῆρον kleron N ACC M SG inheritance an allotted share an allotted share
G2819-03 Colossians 1:12 κλήρου klerou N GEN M SG inheritance of an allotted portion inheritance
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