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Elect vs. Chosen: Biblical Distinctions

The terms "elect" and "chosen" in the Bible often refer to the same concept but are translated differently in various contexts. Here's why the New Testament uses the term "elect" and how it relates to the Old Testament term "chosen":


Language Differences:

  • The Old Testament was primarily written in Hebrew, and the term often translated as "chosen" is "בָּחַר" (bachar).

  • The New Testament was written in Greek, and the term translated as "elect" is "ἐκλεκτός" (eklektos).

Translation Choices:

  • The Greek word "eklektos" literally means "chosen" or "selected." The English translators of the New Testament chose "elect" to convey this meaning, aligning with the theological implications of divine selection.

  • Both terms "chosen" and "elect" essentially denote the same idea of being selected by Yah for a special purpose.

Theological Emphasis:

  • The Old Testament emphasizes Israel as Yah's chosen people, set apart from other nations (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:6, Isaiah 41:8-9).

  • The New Testament continues to use "elect" specifically to refer to the Israelite people, emphasizing their unique role in Yah's salvific plan. This is evident in passages like Matthew 24:31, which speaks of gathering the elect (the Israelite people) from the four winds, aligning with Old Testament prophecies about the scattering and regathering of the Israelites.

Continuity and Expansion:

  • The concept of election is consistent throughout the Bible. While the New Testament recognizes the inclusion of both Israelite and Gentiles in the assembly of believers, it maintains the specific designation of the Israelites as the "elect." This distinction is important in understanding the separate roles and identities of the Israelites and the broader assembly of believers.

  • For example, 1 Peter 2:9 refers to the Israelites, describing them as a chosen race and a royal priesthood, highlighting their role as an example to the Gentiles.

Examples of Usage

Old Testament:

  • Deuteronomy 7:6 (ESV): "For you are a people holy to the Lord your Elohim. The Lord your Elohim has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."

  • Isaiah 41:9 (ESV): "You whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off.'"

New Testament:

  • Matthew 24:31 (ESV): "And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

  • Romans 8:33 (ESV): "Who shall bring any charge against Yah's elect? It is Yah who justifies."

  • 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Summary

In summary, the terms "elect" and "chosen" are used interchangeably to refer to those selected by Yah. The New Testament's use of "elect" specifically emphasizes the Israelite people and their unique role, while the term "assembly" includes both Israelite and Gentile believers, maintaining a distinction between these groups in Yah's plan.

 

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