Greek · G2819 · unreviewed

κλῆρος

Lot

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κλῆρος G2819

Pronunciation klēros

What does κλῆρος (klēros) mean in the Bible?

κλῆρος (klēros) is a Greek word meaning "lot". κλῆρος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for נַחֲלָה גּוֹרָל ;] a lot; __(a) that which is cast or drawn: Mat.

Full entry for κλῆρος (G2819) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

lot

Extended definition

Divinely determined portion or inheritance, often obtained through casting lots to discern God's will.

a lot;

athat which is cast or drawn: Mat.27:35, Mrk.15:24, Luk.23:34, Jhn.19:24" (LXX), Act.1:26;

bthat which is obtained by casting: Act.1:17 8:21; of a part in the Kingdom of God (cf. Wis 55), Act.26:18, Col.1:12; pl. of the "cure" of a presbyter, 1Pe.5:3 (see ICC, in l).

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

The use of lots here is linked to God’s sovereign choice in a unique foundational moment. Later, ‘lot’ language will also describe believers’ inheritance, reminding the church that all we receive is ultimately assigned by God’s gracious hand. Acts 1:12-26

Indicates inclusion among the sanctified people of God. Acts 26:9-18

Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Masculine Acts 1:26 · Acts 8:21 2×

Genitive · Singular · Masculine Col 1:12 1×

Genitive · Plural · Masculine 1 Pet 5:3 1×

Accusative · Singular · Masculine Matt 27:35 · Mark 15:24 · John 19:24 · Acts 1:17 · Acts 26:18 5×

Accusative · Plural · Masculine Luke 23:34 · Acts 1:26 2×

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

Acts 1:12-26 Lot klēros Nominative · Singular · Masculine

A lot, portion, or share, sometimes referring to the casting of lots and sometimes to an allotted inheritance.

Acts 26:9-18 Inheritance klēros Accusative · Singular · Masculine

Portion or share.

Additional Occurrences

Luke 23:32–38 κλήρους klēros

Lots

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.

Acts 26 — Paul Before Agrippa: The Risen Christ Sends Light to Jews and Gentiles Luke 23 — The Innocent King Condemned, Crucified with Transgressors, and Buried in Hope Mark 15 — The Crucified King: Condemnation, Mockery, Death, Confession, and Burial Matthew 27 — Jesus Condemned, Crucified, Dead, Buried, and Guarded

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

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