The term "select" in the context of the Bible often refers to the act of choosing or electing individuals or groups for a specific purpose or role. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where God frequently selects people to fulfill His divine plans and purposes.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of selection is evident in God's choice of Israel as His chosen people. Deuteronomy 7:6 states, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth." This selection was not based on Israel's merit but on God's sovereign will and love.

The selection of individuals for specific tasks is also prominent. For example, God selected Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10), and David was chosen to be king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:12). These selections were often accompanied by divine anointing and empowerment, signifying God's approval and support.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of selection is closely associated with the idea of election and calling. Jesus Christ selected His twelve apostles to be His closest followers and to carry on His mission after His ascension (Mark 3:13-19). This selection was purposeful, as each apostle was chosen to fulfill a unique role in the early Church.

The Apostle Paul frequently discusses the theme of election in his epistles. In Ephesians 1:4 , he writes, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence." This passage highlights the belief that God's selection of believers is part of His eternal plan, emphasizing His sovereignty and grace.

Theological Implications

The concept of selection in the Bible underscores the sovereignty of God in choosing individuals and groups for His purposes. It reflects the belief that God's choices are based on His wisdom and foreknowledge, rather than human merit or effort. This has significant theological implications, particularly in discussions about predestination and free will.

From a conservative Christian perspective, the doctrine of election is often viewed as a testament to God's grace and mercy. It is believed that God's selection is an expression of His love and a means by which He accomplishes His redemptive plan for humanity.

Practical Applications

Understanding the biblical concept of selection can inspire believers to recognize their own calling and purpose within God's plan. It encourages Christians to seek God's guidance in discerning their roles and to trust in His sovereign will. Additionally, it serves as a reminder of the importance of humility, as God's selection is not based on human achievement but on His divine grace.

In summary, the theme of selection in the Bible is a profound expression of God's sovereign will and purpose. It is a recurring motif that highlights the divine initiative in choosing individuals and nations to fulfill His redemptive work throughout history.1. (a.) Taken from a number by preference; picked out as more valuable or excellent than others; of special value or excellence; nicely chosen; selected; choice.

2. (v. t.) To choose and take from a number; to take by preference from among others; to pick out; to cull; as, to select the best authors for perusal.

1588. eklektos -- select, by impl. favorite
... 1587, 1588. eklektos. 1589 . select, by impl. favorite. Part of Speech:
Adjective Transliteration: eklektos Phonetic Spelling: (ek ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1588.htm - 8k

1586. eklego -- to select
... to select. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eklego Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-leg'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I choose, elect Definition: I pick out for myself ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1586.htm - 8k

1980. episkeptomai -- to inspect, by ext. to go to see
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: episkeptomai Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-skep'-tom-
ahee) Short Definition: I look upon, visit, look out, select Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1980.htm - 6k

4758. stratologeo -- to enlist soldiers
... From a compound of the base of stratia and lego (in its original sense); to gather
(or select) as a warrior, ie Enlist in the army -- choose to be a soldier. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4758.htm - 6k

139. hairesis -- choice, opinion
... discord or contention. 139 (a feminine noun derived from 138 , " select,
choose") -- properly, a () . 139 ("a strong, distinctive ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/139.htm - 7k

1951. epilego -- to call or name, to choose
... call, choose. Middle voice from epi and lego; to surname, select -- call, choose.
see GREEK epi. see GREEK lego. (epilegomene) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1951.htm - 6k

1589. ekloge -- a (divine) selection
... NT. The cognate verb 1586 ("select, choose out") occurs 22 times "and is
always in the Greek middle voice" (, 1, 538).]. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1589.htm - 7k

140. hairetizo -- to choose
... Cognate: 140 (from 138 ) -- to select, choose . See 138 (). Word Origin from
haireo Definition to choose NASB Word Usage chosen (1). choose. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/140.htm - 6k

350. anakrino -- to examine, investigate
... 350 (from 303 , ", completing a ," which intensifies 2919 , "to select by
separating/judging") -- properly, to by vigorously judging "down to up," ie ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/350.htm - 8k

1807. exaireo -- to take out, to deliver
... deliver, pluck out, rescue. From ek and haireomai; actively, to tear out; middle
voice, to select; figuratively, to release -- deliver, pluck out, rescue. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1807.htm - 7k

1305. barar -- to purify, select
... 1304b, 1305. barar. 1306 . to purify, select. Transliteration: barar Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-rar') Short Definition: choice. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1305.htm - 6k

977. bachar -- to choose
... 6), choicest (2), choose (40), chooses (22), choosing (1), chose (21), chosen (67),
desired (2), men (1), preferred (1), require (1), select (1), selected (1 ...
/hebrew/977.htm - 6k

7148. qari -- called, summoned
... famous, renowned. From qara'; called, ie Select -- famous, renowned. see HEBREW
qara'. 7147, 7148. qari. 7149 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7148.htm - 6k

7136a. qarah -- to encounter, meet, befall
... 1), befalls (2), come (3), come true (1), grant me success (1), happen (2), happened
(4), happened* (1), meet (1), met (4), overtake (1), select (1), take ...
/hebrew/7136a.htm - 5k

4004. mibchor -- choice
... Word Origin from bachar Definition choice NASB Word Usage choice (3). choice. From
bachar; select, ie Well fortified -- choice. see HEBREW bachar. 4003, 4004 ...
/hebrew/4004.htm - 6k

1262. barah -- to eat
... meat. A primitive root; to select; also (as denominative from bar) to feed;
also (as equivalent to barar) to render clear (Eccl. ...
/hebrew/1262.htm - 6k

4005. mibchar -- choicest, best
... choicest, chosen. From bachar; select, ie Best -- choice(-st), chosen. see HEBREW
bachar. 4004, 4005. mibchar. 4006 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4005.htm - 6k

3947. laqach -- to take
... obtain (1), placed (2), procured (2), put (1), raise (3), receive (20), received
(12), receives (3), receiving (1), seize (3), seized (2), select (1), selected ...
/hebrew/3947.htm - 6k

2372. chazah -- see, behold
... behold (7), envisioned in visions (1), gaze (2), gloat (1), look (3), looked (1),
prophesy (3), saw (7), see (12), seeing (1), seen (7), sees (4), select (1). ...
/hebrew/2372.htm - 6k

680. atsal -- to lay aside, reserve, withdraw, withhold
... A primitive root; properly, to join; used only as a denominative from 'etsel; to
separate; hence, to select, refuse, contract -- keep, reserve, straiten, take. ...
/hebrew/680.htm - 6k

Basil: Letters and Select Works
Basil: Letters and Select Works. <. Basil: Letters and Select Works Basil.
Schaff, Philip (Editor) Table of Contents. Title Page. Preface. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/

Select Letters of Saint Gregory Nazianzen
Select Letters of Saint Gregory Nazianzen. <. Select Letters of
Saint Gregory Nazianzen St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Schaff ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/

Select Works and Letters or Athanasius
Select Works and Letters or Athanasius. <. Select Works and Letters or Athanasius
Athanasius. Table of Contents. Title Page. Editorial Preface. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/

Select Masterpieces of Biblical Literature
Select Masterpieces of Biblical Literature. <. Select Masterpieces
of Biblical Literature Various. Edited by Richard ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/

Aphrahat. Select Demonstrations
Aphrahat. Select Demonstrations. <. Aphrahat. Select Demonstrations Aphrahat.
Schaff, Philip (Editor) Table of Contents. Title Page. Aphrahat. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/

Who are the Select Gods, and Whether they are Held to be Exempt ...
... Book VII. Chapter 2."Who are the Select Gods, and Whether They are Held
to Be Exempt from the Offices of the Commoner Gods. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 who are the select.htm

Select Writings and Letters
Select Works and Letters or Athanasius. <. ... Select Writings and Letters.
OF Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria. Edited, with ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/select writings and letters.htm

A Select Bibliography of the Pelagian Controversy.
... A Select Bibliography of the Pelagian Controversy. (Adapted from Dr. Schaff's
Church History, vol. iii.). I. Three works of Pelagius ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/a select bibliography of the.htm

But I Shall Select Examples of the Majestic Style from their ...
... Book 4 Chapter 49. But I shall select examples of the majestic style from
their treatment of a? 49. But I shall select examples ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 49 but i shall.htm

Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Sometime Archbishop of ...
... Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Sometime Archbishop of Constantinople.
Translated by Charles Gordon Browne, MA,. Rector of Lympstone, Devon; and. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/select orations of saint gregory.htm

Select (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To choose and take from a number; to take by preference from among others;
to pick out; to cull; as, to select the best authors for perusal. ...
/s/select.htm - 10k

Appoint (114 Occurrences)
... paqadh = "put into office" (Genesis 41:34 Numbers 1:50 Esther 2:3); "select" (Jeremiah
51:27); "put in charge" (Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 50:44); "assign ...
/a/appoint.htm - 41k

Elect (32 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Those who are chosen for salvation. 6. (vt) To pick out; to select; to choose. ...
8. (vt) To designate, choose, or select, as an object of mercy or favor. ...
/e/elect.htm - 21k

Pick (37 Occurrences)
... 7. (v.) To choose; to select; to separate as choice or desirable; to cull; as,
to pick one's company; to pick one's way; -- often with out. ...
/p/pick.htm - 18k

Selected (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Select. Multi-Version Concordance
Selected (23 Occurrences). Luke 6:13 When it was day, He ...
/s/selected.htm - 13k

Choose (116 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To make choice of; to select; to take by way of preference from two or more
objects offered; to elect; as, to choose the least of two evils. ...
/c/choose.htm - 54k

Apocrypha
... between the doctrines and rites which could be taught to all their pupils, and those
which could profitably be communicated only to a select circle called the ...
/a/apocrypha.htm - 48k

Unanimously (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 15:25 we have unanimously decided to select certain men and send them to
you in company with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, (WEY). ...
/u/unanimously.htm - 6k

Journey (214 Occurrences)
... If, for instance, the approach of the Sabbath found one on his journey, the traveler
might select some tree or some stone wall at a distance of 2,000 paces and ...
/j/journey.htm - 42k

Living (3112 Occurrences)
... beast," "beastly" have with us; hence, he translates 1 Corinthians 15:44, "It is
sowen beestli body," meaning simply animal (see Trench's Select Glossary); in ...
/l/living.htm - 18k

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