αἱρέω G0138
to choose, select, prefer; to take for oneself by deliberate decision
A verb of deliberate selection among options. Paul contemplates choosing to remain alive for the Philippians' sake versus desiring departure (Phil 1:22). God chose believers for salvation 'from the beginning' (2 Thess 2:13). Moses chose to suffer with God's people rather than enjoy sin's fleeting pleasures (Heb 11:25). The term emphasizes volitional decision—weighing alternatives and selecting one.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Denotes purposeful selection after consideration. Paul's Philippian dilemma shows the verb's deliberative force: which to choose—fruitful labor or being with Christ? The choice involves weighing values. God's choice of believers (2 Thess 2:13) establishes election as deliberate divine decision. Moses's choice historicizes this for faith's heroes: consciously preferring affliction with God's people over Egyptian privilege. Multilingual glosses use choice vocabulary consistently (Spanish 'escoger,' French 'choisir,' German 'wählen'). 3×
AR["أَخْتارُ", "اخْتارَ", "مُخْتَارًا"]·ben["পছন্দ-করে", "বেছে-নিয়েছেন", "বেছে-নেব"]·DE["waehlen"]·EN["I-will-choose", "chose", "having-chosen"]·FR["choisir"]·heb["אֶבְחַר?", "בָּחַר"]·HI["चुन", "चुनकर", "मैन-चुनुउनग?"]·ID["aku akan pilih?", "memilih"]·IT["airēsomai", "eilato", "elomenos"]·jav["badhé-kula-pilih", "milih"]·KO["택하리요?", "택하셨다", "택하여"]·PT["escolhendo", "escolherei", "escolheu"]·RU["изберу", "избрав", "избрал"]·ES["escogeré", "escogiendo", "escogió"]·SW["akichagua", "aliwachagua", "nitachagua"]·TR["seceegim", "seçerek", "seçti"]·urd["پسند-کیا", "چنا", "چُنوں-گا"]
Related Senses
H3045 1. Qal: to know, perceive, understand (829×)H5315 1. soul, inner being (647×)H3820a 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (572×)H4672 1. Qal: find, discover (289×)G1492 1. know facts or truths (285×)H3824 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (250×)H1245 1. seek, search for (200×)G1097 1. know, be acquainted with (196×)H2142 1. Qal: remember, recall (173×)G2588 1. heart (inner self, mind, will) (158×)H0977 1. choose, select (Qal active) (145×)G2147 1. find, discover (144×)G5590 1. soul, inner self (100×)H4672 2. Niphal: be found, be discovered (99×)H1875 1. seek, search for (96×)H5315 2. life, vitality (94×)H1847 1. knowledge, discernment (90×)H2450 1. wise, prudent (84×)H7911 1. Qal: to forget (83×)H3684 1. fool, dullard (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
αἱρέω, imperfect ᾕρεονRefs 8th c.BC+, Ionic dialect αἵρεονRefs 8th c.BC+: future αἱρήσωRefs 8th c.BC+aorist 1 ᾕρησα late (ἀν-) Refs 4th c.AD+: perfect ᾕρηκαRefs 5th c.BC+ (ἀν-) Refs 5th c.BC+: pluperfect ἀραιρήκεεRefs:—middle, future αἱρήσομαιRefs 8th c.BC+: aorist 1 ᾑρησάμηνRefs 2nd c.BC+: perfect in middle sense ᾕρημαιRefs 5th c.BC+: 3rd.pers.plural pluperfect ᾕρηντοRefs 5th c.BC+:—passive,…