"to pick out; in NT to choose, select, Lk. 6:13; 10:42; in NT to choose out as the recipients of special favor and privilege, Acts 13:17; 1 Cor. 1:27"
Definition and meaning
to pick out; in NT to choose, select, Lk. 6:13; 10:42; in NT to choose out as the recipients of special favor and privilege, Acts 13:17; 1 Cor. 1:27
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐκλέγομαι
Historical context
The Gospel of Mark moves urgently — the word "immediately" appears over 40 times. It was written for a Roman audience familiar with power and action. Jesus is portrayed as a man who acts, heals, and commands authority that the Roman world had never seen from a Jewish teacher.
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 eklegomai (G1586) across the King James Bible.
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
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Common questions
Strong's G1586 (eklegomai) is a Greek word that means: to pick out; in NT to choose, select, Lk. 6:13; 10:42; in NT to choose out as the recipients of special favor and privilege, Acts 13:17; 1 Cor. 1:27 It appears 19 times in the King James Bible.
The word eklegomai (G1586) appears 19 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1586 is eklegomai, a Greek word defined as: to pick out; in NT to choose, select, Lk. 6:13; 10:42; in NT to choose out as the recipients of special favor and privilege, Acts 13:17; 1 Cor. 1:27. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
eklegomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.