ἐκλεκτός (G1588) — Greek Lexicon

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

ἐκλεκτός (eklektos) — picked out, chosen, selected, specially appointed

Root λεκ- to pick, to choose, to select

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
`G1588-02`	ἐκλεκτῆς	eklektes	`ADJ.R GEN F SG`	elect	of a chosen (feminine singular)	chosen	1
`G1588-01`	ἐκλεκτῇ	eklekte	`ADJ.A DAT F SG`	elect	to a chosen one	to the chosen woman	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

Filter by SIDANCE:

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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