Lexical Summary hairetizó: To choose, to prefer Original Word: αἱρετίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance choose. From a derivative of haireomai; to make a choice -- choose. see GREEK haireomai HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 140 hairetízō (from 138 /hairéomai) – to select, choose as one's own. See 138 (haireō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom haireó Definition to choose NASB Translation chosen (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 140: αἱρετίζωαἱρετίζω: 1 aorist ᾑρέτισα (Treg. ᾑρέτισα, see Iota); (from αἱρετός, see αἱρέω); to choose: Matthew 12:18. (Often in the Sept. in O. T. Apocrypha and in ecclesiastical writings; the middle is found in Ctesias ( Topical Lexicon Canonical Occurrence The verb appears once in the New Testament, in Matthew 12:18, within Matthew’s extended citation of Isaiah 42:1-4. There it renders the declaration of the Father concerning the Messiah: “Here is My servant whom I have chosen, My beloved in whom My soul delights”. The evangelist is quoting the Septuagint almost word-for-word, preserving the same verb to underscore continuity between Isaiah’s Servant and Jesus of Nazareth. Old Testament Background In the Greek Old Testament the verb frequently translates Hebrew roots that convey elective love (for example, Isaiah 42:1; 43:10; 44:1-2). The Servant is “chosen” not merely out of preference but for a mission empowered by the Spirit. By reusing the same wording, Matthew affirms that Jesus perfectly embodies the prophetic Servant who will bring justice to the nations. Divine Election and Pleasure The single use carries two intertwined ideas: (1) a decisive act of election; (2) the Father’s delight in the One elected. The context links choice with affection—“My beloved in whom My soul delights.” Election is therefore relational and affectionate, not impersonal predestination. It displays God’s covenant faithfulness, for the Servant is chosen to fulfill the promises made to Abraham, David, and Israel as a whole. Christological Significance Matthew employs the verb to identify Jesus publicly as the Father’s exclusive choice for messianic service. This choice is confirmed at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17) and transfiguration (Matthew 17:5) with similar language of filial delight. Thus the verb undergirds the theme that Jesus alone satisfies divine selection criteria: perfect obedience, Spirit-anointed ministry, and redemptive purpose. Trinitarian Dynamics The verse places the three Persons in harmonious coordination: The unique verb heightens the Father’s active role, while the surrounding context highlights the Spirit’s presence, offering an early New Testament glimpse of Trinitarian cooperation in salvation history. Mission to the Nations Immediately after the verb, Matthew 12:18 continues, “He will proclaim justice to the nations.” The Servant is chosen for a global mandate. The same passage anticipates the Gentile mission realized after the resurrection (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The act of choosing therefore carries missional implications: God’s elective love for the Servant opens the door for all peoples to receive grace. Implications for the Church 1. Assurance: Believers are united to the Chosen One; therefore their standing is secure (Ephesians 1:4-5). Historical Reception Early Christian writers such as Justin Martyr and Irenaeus cited Isaiah 42:1 to argue that Jesus, not Israel collectively, fulfills the Servant prophecies. The single New Testament use of the verb reinforced their case, demonstrating that the apostles themselves interpreted Isaiah christologically. Related Biblical Concepts • Eklegomai (ἐκλέγομαι, “choose”) emphasizes selection from among a larger group, whereas Strong’s 140 carries the nuance of selecting with delight. Practical Ministry Application Pastors and teachers can draw on Matthew 12:18 to highlight: Summary Although it occurs only once in the New Testament, the verb translated “have chosen” in Matthew 12:18 anchors a rich vein of theology. It ties Jesus to Isaiah’s Servant, reveals the affectionate nature of divine election, illuminates Trinitarian cooperation, and propels the church into global mission. Forms and Transliterations αιρετιει αιρετιεί αιρετίζει αιρετιώ ηρέτικε ηρέτικέ ηρέτικεν ηρετισα ηρέτισα ᾑρέτισα ηρετισάμην ηρέτισαν ηρετίσατο ηρέτισε eretisa ēretisa heirétisa hēirétisa heretisa hēretisaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |