2819. kléros
Lexical Summary
kléros: Lot, portion, inheritance, share

Original Word: κλῆρος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: kléros
Pronunciation: KLAY-ros
Phonetic Spelling: (klay'-ros)
KJV: heritage, inheritance, lot, part
NASB: lots, inheritance, allotted to your charge, lot, portion, share
Word Origin: [probably from G2806 (κλάω - broke) (through the idea of using bits of wood, etc., for the purpose]

1. a die (for drawing chances)
2. (by implication) a portion (as if so secured)
3. (by extension) an acquisition (especially a patrimony, figuratively)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
heritage, inheritance, lot, part.

Probably from klao (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.

see GREEK klao

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2819 klḗros (a masculine noun derived from klēro, "to cast a lot") – properly, a lot, cast to distribute ("apportion"). Scripture encourages casting lots (2819 /klḗros) to better discern the preferred-will of God (cf. 2307 /thélēma and their association in Col 1:9-12).

[2818 /klēronómos ("heir") is derived from 2819 /klḗros ("lot, the casting of lots"), not the other way around – i.e. the term "lots" is not derived from 2818 (klēronómos). Moreover, 2819 (klḗros) is not etymologically related to (cognate with) 2975/lagxanō ("to cast lots," see there).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
a lot
NASB Translation
allotted to your charge (1), inheritance (2), lot (1), lots (5), portion (1), share (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2819: κλῆρος

κλῆρος, κλήρου, , from Homer down; the Sept. mostly for גּורָל and נַחֲלָה; a lot; i. e.:

1. an object used in casting or drawing lots, which was either a pebble, or a potsherd, or a bit of wood (hence, κλῆρος is to be derived from κλάω (cf. Ellicott on Colossians 1:12)): Acts 1:26 (see below); βάλλοντες κλῆρον, Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:24 (Psalm 21:19 (); Jonah 1:7, etc.); the lots of the several persons concerned, inscribed with their names, were thrown together into a vase, which was then shaken, and he whose lot first fell out upon the ground was the one chosen (Homer, Iliad 3, 316, 325; 7, 175, etc.; Livy 23, 3 (but cf. B. D. American edition, under the word Lot)); hence, κλῆρος πίπτει ἐπί τινα, Acts 1:26 (Ezekiel 24:6; Jonah 1:7).

2. what is obtained by lot, allotted portion: λαγχάνειν and λαμβάνειν τόν κλῆρον τῆς διακονίας, a prrtion in the ministry common to the apostles, Acts 1:17, 25 R G; ἐστι μοι κλῆρος ἐν τίνι, dative of the thing, Acts 8:21; like κληρονομία (which see) it is used of the part which one will have in eternal salvation, λαμβάνειν ... τόν κλῆρον ἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις, among the sanctified, Acts 26:18 (Wis. 5:5); of eternal salvation itself, κλῆρος τῶν ἁγίων, i. e. the eternal salvation which God has assigned to the saints, Colossians 1:12 (where cf. Lightfoot). of persons, οἱ κλῆροι, those whose care and oversight has been assigned to one (allotted charge), used of Christian churches, the administration of which falls to the lot of the presbyters: 1 Peter 5:3, cf. Acts 17:4; (for patristic usage see Sophocles Lexicon, under the word; cf. Lightfoot on Philippians, p. 246f).

Topical Lexicon
Root Idea and Old Testament Background

The term conveys two intertwined ideas: (1) a “lot” employed in sacred decision-making and (2) the “portion” allotted to someone as an inheritance. In the Septuagint both meanings meet: Israel’s land was divided “by lot,” yet “the LORD is the portion of my inheritance” (Psalm 16:5). Thus the word already pointed beyond chance to God’s providential ordering.

Casting Lots in the Passion Narratives

Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, and John 19:24 describe Roman soldiers dividing Jesus’ garments. Mark records, “They divided His garments among them, casting lots for them to decide what each would take” (Mark 15:24). The evangelists see Psalm 22:18 fulfilled: even in apparent randomness, the Father’s plan unfolds. The mocked, crucified Messiah retains sovereign authority; the soldiers’ “lot” becomes a signpost to Scripture’s reliability.

Lots and Apostolic Succession (Acts 1)

After Judas’ betrayal, Peter leads the believers to choose a replacement. The community prays, presents two qualified men, then casts lots. “They cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26). Far from gambling, the act entrusts the decision to God, echoing Proverbs 16:33. The moment marks the last New Testament use of lots for guidance, coming just before the Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost. It affirms God’s sovereignty over leadership and the integrity of apostolic witness.

Inheritance Language in Luke–Acts and Paul

Luke employs the word of salvation’s benefits: Paul is sent “to open their eyes … that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:18). Here the “lot” is the believer’s share in the covenant community. Paul echoes the motif in Colossians 1:12, thanking the Father “who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” The imagery shifts from a random draw to a secure, graciously granted birthright.

Guarding the Flock’s Portion (1 Peter 5:3)

Elders are exhorted not to lord it over “those entrusted to you” (literally, “the lots,” 1 Peter 5:3). The congregation is God’s allotted heritage, and shepherds must care for it as stewards, not owners. Pastoral authority arises from stewardship of God’s portion, never personal dominance.

Warning Against Presumption (Acts 8:21)

Peter tells Simon Magus, “You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God” (Acts 8:21). The promised “lot” can be forfeited by hypocrisy. True inheritance is inseparable from repentance and faith.

Historical Notes on the Practice of Lots

• In Israel, lots settled disputed land boundaries (Joshua 18:10) and priestly duties (1 Chronicles 24:5).
• In the Greco-Roman world, lots were common in divination; Scripture distinguishes sacred casting of lots by directing the outcome to God alone.
• By the second century the church largely abandoned the practice for leadership selection, relying instead on consensus and discernment under the Spirit, yet the event in Acts 1 continued to model prayerful dependence on divine choice.

Theological Themes

1. Sovereignty of God: what seems random fulfills precise prophecy (Crucifixion) and sustains orderly leadership (Matthias).
2. Grace of Inheritance: believers do not seize their share; they receive it through the Son.
3. Stewardship in Ministry: pastors oversee God’s allotted people, accountable to the Chief Shepherd.
4. Ethical Responsibility: the “lot” can be nullified by unbelief (Simon), underscoring holiness as inseparable from inheritance.

Practical Applications

• Worship: meditate on the certainty of the believer’s inheritance; praise God for securing the “lot” in Christ.
• Leadership: choose servants through prayerful dependence, recognizing congregations as God’s property.
• Suffering: the soldiers’ lot at Calvary demonstrates that God rules even hostile actions; nothing escapes His script.
• Evangelism: offer the gospel as a share in God’s covenant story—inviting hearers into the saints’ inheritance.

Summary

Across its twelve New Testament occurrences, the term traces a movement from external devices of chance to the internal assurance of grace: from the soldiers’ dice to the saints’ indestructible inheritance. Every appearance, whether in narrative, exhortation, or doctrine, reinforces the truth that God Himself assigns, secures, and protects the believer’s portion forever.

Forms and Transliterations
κλήροι κλήροί κλήροις κληρον κληρόν κλήρον κλῆρον κληρος κλήρος κλήρός κλῆρος κληρου κλήρου κλήρους κλήρω κληρων κλήρων kleron klêron klēron klērōn klḗron klḗrōn klē̂ron kleros klêros klēros klē̂ros klerou klērou klḗrou klerous klērous klḗrous
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 27:35 N-AMS
GRK: αὐτοῦ βάλλοντες κλῆρον ἵνα πληρωθῇ
NAS: among themselves by casting lots.
KJV: casting lots: that
INT: of him casting lots that might be fulfilled

Matthew 27:35 Noun-AMS
GRK: μου ἔβαλον κλῆρον
KJV: vesture did they cast lots.
INT: of me they cast a lot

Mark 15:24 N-AMS
GRK: αὐτοῦ βάλλοντες κλῆρον ἐπ' αὐτὰ
NAS: themselves, casting lots for them [to decide] what
KJV: garments, casting lots upon them,
INT: of him casting lots for them

Luke 23:34 N-AMS
GRK: αὐτοῦ ἔβαλον κλήρους
NAS: And they cast lots, dividing
KJV: raiment, and cast lots.
INT: of him they cast a lot

John 19:24 N-AMS
GRK: μου ἔβαλον κλῆρον Οἱ μὲν
NAS: THEY CAST LOTS.
KJV: they did cast lots. These things
INT: of me they cast a lot The indeed

Acts 1:17 N-AMS
GRK: ἔλαχεν τὸν κλῆρον τῆς διακονίας
NAS: us and received his share in this
KJV: had obtained part of this
INT: obtained a part the ministry

Acts 1:26 N-AMP
GRK: καὶ ἔδωκαν κλήρους αὐτοῖς καὶ
NAS: And they drew lots for them, and the lot
KJV: their lots; and
INT: And they gave lots for them and

Acts 1:26 N-NMS
GRK: ἔπεσεν ὁ κλῆρος ἐπὶ Μαθθίαν
NAS: lots for them, and the lot fell
KJV: lots; and the lot fell upon
INT: fell the lot on Matthias

Acts 8:21 N-NMS
GRK: μερὶς οὐδὲ κλῆρος ἐν τῷ
NAS: part or portion in this matter,
KJV: part nor lot in this
INT: part nor lot in the

Acts 26:18 N-AMS
GRK: ἁμαρτιῶν καὶ κλῆρον ἐν τοῖς
NAS: of sins and an inheritance among
KJV: and inheritance among
INT: of sins and inheritance among those that

Colossians 1:12 N-GMS
GRK: μερίδα τοῦ κλήρου τῶν ἁγίων
NAS: us to share in the inheritance of the saints
KJV: be partakers of the inheritance of the saints
INT: share of the inheritance of the saints

1 Peter 5:3 N-GMP
GRK: κατακυριεύοντες τῶν κλήρων ἀλλὰ τύποι
NAS: those allotted to your charge, but proving
KJV: being lords over [God's] heritage, but
INT: exercising lordship over those in your charge but examples

Strong's Greek 2819
12 Occurrences


κλήρων — 1 Occ.
κλῆρον — 6 Occ.
κλῆρος — 2 Occ.
κλήρου — 1 Occ.
κλήρους — 2 Occ.

2818
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