◄ 2819. kléros ►
Lexicon kléros: Lot, portion, inheritance, share Original Word: κλῆρος Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kléros Pronunciation: KLAY-ros Phonetic Spelling: (klay'-ros) Definition: Lot, portion, inheritance, share Meaning: (a) a lot, (b) a portion assigned; hence: a portion of the people of God assigned to one's care, a congregation. 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, ὁ, 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, ὁ 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 Word Origin: Derived from the root word κλάω (klao), meaning "to break" or "to divide." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 1486 (גּוֹרָל, goral): This Hebrew term is often translated as "lot" and is used in similar contexts as κλῆρος, such as in the division of land among the tribes of Israel (e.g., Joshua 18:10). • Strong's Hebrew 5159 (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This term refers to an "inheritance" or "possession," akin to the concept of a portion or share, as seen in κλῆρος. This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the term κλῆρος, highlighting its significance in both literal and metaphorical contexts within the New Testament. Usage: The word κλῆρος is used in various contexts in the New Testament, including the casting of lots, the division of land or inheritance, and metaphorically to describe a share in spiritual blessings or responsibilities. Context: • Casting Lots: In the New Testament, κλῆρος is often associated with the practice of casting lots to make decisions or determine God's will. For example, in Acts 1:26, the apostles cast lots to choose Matthias as a replacement for Judas Iscariot: "Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles." • Inheritance and Portion: κλῆρος is also used to describe an inheritance or portion allotted to someone. In Colossians 1:12, believers are described as being qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints: "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light." • Spiritual Significance: The term is used metaphorically to describe the spiritual inheritance and responsibilities of believers. In 1 Peter 5:3, church leaders are instructed not to lord over those entrusted to them, but to be examples to the flock: "not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." • Divine Appointment: κλῆρος can also refer to a divinely appointed role or mission. In Acts 8:21, Peter rebukes Simon the sorcerer, saying, "You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God." 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 Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts 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.