Greek · G1588 · unreviewed

ἐκλεκτός

Select; by implication, favorite

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

ἐκλεκτός G1588

Pronunciation eklektós

What does ἐκλεκτός (eklektós) mean in the Bible?

ἐκλεκτός (eklektós) is a Greek word meaning "select; by implication, favorite". ἐκ-λεκτός, -ή, -όν (ἐκλέγω), [in LXX for בָּחַר (so prob. Affirms that those chosen and justified by God cannot be successfully accused. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant.

Full entry for ἐκλεκτός (G1588) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

select; by implication, favorite

Extended definition

Chosen by God for covenant relationship and privilege, not merely selected for excellence or merit

(ἐκλέγω), [in LXX for בָּחַר (so prob. in Isa.28:16, Pro.17:3, for MT בָּחַן), בָּרִיא, etc. ;]

1choice, select (cl., rarely; Thuc., Plat., al.), hence, eminent: Rom.16:13 (cf. Eze.27:24).

2As in Inscr. (MM, Exp., xii), chosen; esp. as in LXX, of Israel, elect, chosen of God (Isa.65:9, Psa.105:43, al.); so in NT;

aof Christ: Luk.23:35 (cf. Isa.42:1); figuratively, λίθος, 1Pe.2:4-6 (LXX);

bof holy angels: 1Ti.5:21; __(with) of Christians: Mat.24:22, 24, Mrk.13:20, 22 13:27, 2Ti.2:10, 1Pe.1:1; τ. θεοῦ, Luk.18:7, Rom.8:33, Col.3:12, Tit.1:1; τ. Χριστοῦ, Mat.24:31; ἐ. κυρία, II Jn 1; ἀδελφή, II Jn 13; γένος, 1Pe.2:9 (LXX); κλητοὶ καὶ ἐ. κ. πιστοί, Rev.17:14; opposite to κλητός (not so in Epp.; see Lft. on Col.3:12), Mat.20:16 (T, WH, txt., R, omit) Mat.22:14 (Cremer, 405, 775).

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Affirms that those chosen and justified by God cannot be successfully accused. 1 Peter 1:1-12

Affirms sovereign preservation. Luke 18:1–8

Highlights covenant relationship with God. Mark 13:14–23

Anchors believer identity in God’s initiative rather than circumstance. Romans 8:31-39

Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Plural · Masculine Matt 22:14 · Col 3:12 · Rev 17:14 3×

Nominative · Singular · Masculine Luke 23:35 · John 1:34 2×

Nominative · Singular · Neuter 1 Pet 2:9 1×

Genitive · Plural · Masculine Luke 18:7 · Rom 8:33 · 1 Tim 5:21 · Titus 1:1 4×

Genitive · Singular · Feminine 2 John 1:13 1×

Dative · Plural · Masculine 1 Pet 1:1 1×

Dative · Singular · Feminine 2 John 1:1 1×

Accusative · Plural · Masculine Matt 24:22 · Matt 24:24 · Matt 24:31 · Mark 13:20 · Mark 13:22 · Mark 13:27 · 2 Tim 2:10 7×

Accusative · Singular · Masculine Rom 16:13 · 1 Pet 2:4 · 1 Pet 2:6 3×

Canonical Themes

Covenant

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses

1 Peter 1:1-12 elect eklektós Dative · Plural · Masculine

chosen ones

Luke 18:1–8 ἐκλεκτῶν eklektós Genitive · Plural · Masculine

chosen, elect

Mark 13:14–23 ἐκλεκτούς eklektós Accusative · Plural · Masculine

chosen ones

Romans 8:31-39 ἐκλεκτός eklektós Genitive · Plural · Masculine

Chosen, elect.

Additional Occurrences

Luke 18:1–8 ἐκλεκτῶν eklektós

Elect, chosen ones

Mark 13:14–23 ἐκλεκτός eklektós

chosen, selected

Mark 13:24–27 ἐκλεκτός eklektós

chosen ones

Appears In

Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Colossians 3 — Raised with Christ: Putting Off the Old Life and Putting On the New Luke 18 — Persistent Faith, Humble Mercy, and the King on the Road to Jerusalem Luke 23 — The Innocent King Condemned, Crucified with Transgressors, and Buried in Hope Mark 13 — Watch and Endure: Temple Judgment, Gospel Witness, Tribulation, the Son of Man, and Readiness Matthew 22 — The Wedding Banquet, the King’s Invitation, and the Messiah Who Is David’s Lord Matthew 24 — The Olivet Discourse: Temple Desolation, Coming Judgment, the Son of Man, and Watchful Readiness Romans 16 — Gospel Partnership, Holy Greeting, False-Teacher Warning, and Doxology to the God Who Establishes Romans 8 — No Condemnation, Life in the Spirit, and the Unbreakable Love of God in Christ

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details