"to stretch out the hand; to constitute by voting; to appoint, constitute, Acts 14:23; 2 Cor. 8:19*"
Definition and meaning
to stretch out the hand; to constitute by voting; to appoint, constitute, Acts 14:23; 2 Cor. 8:19*
In the original Greek the word is written: χειροτονέω
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of cheirotoneo (G5500) across the King James Bible.
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.
All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.
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Common questions
Strong's G5500 (cheirotoneo) is a Greek word that means: to stretch out the hand; to constitute by voting; to appoint, constitute, Acts 14:23; 2 Cor. 8:19* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word cheirotoneo (G5500) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5500 is cheirotoneo, a Greek word defined as: to stretch out the hand; to constitute by voting; to appoint, constitute, Acts 14:23; 2 Cor. 8:19*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
cheirotoneo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.