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κλῆσις

klēsis

G2821 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An act of calling or summoning, particularly a formal invitation; in extended (especially Pauline) usage, refers to a summons or appointment, often by a higher authority. In certain contexts, especially in the writings of Paul, designates a divinely initiated summons or vocation, frequently with the emphasis on being chosen or invited to a specific role, status, or way of life.

Semantic Range

act of calling, summons, invitation, official or formal announcement, vocation, divinely initiated invitation or summons, appointment to a role or status

Root / Etymology

From the verbal noun formation of the root καλ- in the verb καλέω ('to call, summon, invite'). The suffix -σις produces an abstract noun indicating the act or result of the verb ('calling, summons').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, κλῆσις most often means a calling or summoning, as might be issued by an assembly, magistrate, or authority, referring to the official act of summoning people together or issuing an invitation. In the Hellenistic period, it retains this sense but also begins to acquire more abstract or metaphorical nuances, especially in Judeo-Greek and Christian contexts. In the Septuagint (LXX), κλῆσις is rare and appears where Hebrew has terms for 'calling' or 'summoning'; its use is not common. In the New Testament, especially Pauline letters, the term acquires a more specialized meaning, indicating the divine call by which individuals are summoned to belong to God or to a particular way of life (sometimes translated as 'calling' or 'vocation'). This sense is broader than mere invitation, often implying an efficacious or purposeful divine initiative. However, 'calling' in modern English may restrict the semantic range and can risk overlaying later theological ideas not present in the Greek. English translations sometimes render κλῆσις as 'calling,' 'call,' or even 'invitation,' but all such renderings should be understood as conveying a sense of summons to a new identity, mission, or status, dependent on context.

Translation Consistency

primary "call" 10 occurrences

"Call" best captures the primary sense of κλῆσις as an act of summoning/invitation and the Pauline notion of a divinely initiated vocation. It is the most natural, flexible English root for both concrete summons and ongoing vocational status (e.g., call, calling, called), matches the attested renderings ("calling"/"summons") and will produce natural English across forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"formal summons" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a shorter form of καλέω; an invitation (figuratively):--calling.

Root Family

κλῆσις (klēsis) — calling, summons, invitation, appointment

Root καλ- to call, to summon, to invite

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2821-02 κλήσεως kleseos N GEN F SG calling of a summons of calling 6
G2821-03 κλῆσιν klesin N ACC F SG calling a summons a calling 2
G2821-01 κλήσει klesei N DAT F SG calling to a summons calling 2
G2821-04 κλῆσις klesis N NOM F SG calling formal summons formal summons 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2821-04 Romans 11:29 κλῆσις klesis N NOM F SG calling formal summons formal summons
G2821-03 1 Corinthians 1:26 κλῆσιν klesin N ACC F SG calling a summons calling
G2821-01 1 Corinthians 7:20 κλήσει klesei N DAT F SG calling to a summons calling
G2821-02 Ephesians 1:18 κλήσεως kleseos N GEN F SG His calling of a summons of calling
G2821-02 Ephesians 4:1 κλήσεως kleseos N GEN F SG calling of a summons of calling
G2821-02 Ephesians 4:4 κλήσεως kleseos N GEN F SG calling of a summons of calling
G2821-02 Philippians 3:14 κλήσεως kleseos N GEN F SG calling of a summons of calling
G2821-02 2 Thessalonians 1:11 κλήσεως kleseos N GEN F SG calling of a summons of calling
G2821-01 2 Timothy 1:9 κλήσει klesei N DAT F SG with a calling to a summons to a call
G2821-02 Hebrews 3:1 κλήσεως kleseos N GEN F SG calling of a summons of calling
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