Strong's Lexicon kléroó: to assign by lot, to allot, to appoint, to obtain an inheritance Original Word: κληρόω Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word κλῆρος (kléros), meaning "lot" or "inheritance." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H5159 (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): Often translated as "inheritance," this Hebrew term reflects the concept of a divinely appointed portion or heritage. - H1486 (גּוֹרָל, goral): Meaning "lot," this term is used in contexts where decisions or distributions are made by casting lots. Usage: The verb κληρόω (kléroó) primarily means to assign or distribute by lot, often in the context of receiving an inheritance or a portion. In the New Testament, it is used to describe the act of being appointed or chosen, often by divine will, to receive a specific role, responsibility, or blessing. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, casting lots was a common method for making decisions or distributing property, believed to reflect divine will. This practice was also present in Jewish tradition, where lots were used to discern God's will in various situations, such as the division of land among the tribes of Israel. The concept of inheritance was deeply rooted in both Greek and Jewish cultures, symbolizing not only material wealth but also spiritual blessings and responsibilities. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2820 klēróō (from 2819 /klḗros, "to cast lots") – properly, make a choice when assisted by casting lots (cf. S. Zodhiates, Dict); to appoint (assign) by lot-casting. See 2818 (klēronómos). 2820 /klēróō ("assign by divine lot-cast"), is only used in Eph 1:11 where it is often translated "obtained an inheritance." The Greek text literally reads, "In whom (Christ), indeed we were lot-cast (2820 /klēróō), having already been pre-horizoned (4309 /proorízō, aorist participle) according to (divine) purpose, of the one energizing all things according to the counsel (1012 /boulḗ) arising from His will (2307 /thélēma)." [The above rendering regards the Greek genitive as "subjective."] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kléros Definition to assign by lot NASB Translation obtained an inheritance (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2820: κληρόωκληρόω, κλήρῳ: 1 aorist passive ἐκληρωθην; (κλῆρος); in classical Greek: 1. to cast lots, determine by lot. 2. to choose by lot: τινα (Herodotus 1, 94; others). 3. to allot, assign by lot: τινα τίνι, one to another as a possession, Pindar Ol. 8, 19. 4. once in the N. T., "to make a κλῆρος i. e., a heritage, private possession": τινα, passive ἐν ᾧ ἐκληρώθημεν (but Lachmann ἐκλλεθημεν) in whom lies the reason why we were made the κλῆρος τοῦ Θεοῦ (a designation transferred from the Jews in the O. T. to Christians, cf. Additions to Esther 3:10 From kleros; to allot, i.e. (figuratively) to assign (a privilege) -- obtain an inheritance. see GREEK kleros |
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