# chosen, choose, chosen people, Chosen One, elect

## Definition:

The term “the elect” literally means “chosen ones” or “chosen people” and refers to those whom God has appointed or selected to be his people. “Chosen One” or “Chosen One of God” is a title that refers to Jesus, who is the chosen Messiah.

* The term “choose” means to select something or someone or to decide something. It is often used to refer to God appointing people to belong to him and to serve him.
* To be “chosen” means to be “selected” or “appointed” to be or do something.
* God chose people to be holy, to be set apart by him for the purpose of bearing good spiritual fruit. That is why they are called “the chosen (ones) or “the elect.”
* The term “chosen one” is sometimes used in the Bible to refer to certain people such as Moses and King David whom God had appointed as leaders over his people. It is also used to refer to the nation of Israel as God’s chosen people.
* The phrase “the elect” is an older term that literally means “the chosen ones” or “the chosen people.” This phrase in the original language is plural when referring to believers in Christ.
* In older English Bible versions, the term “elect” is used in both the Old and New Testaments to translate the word for “chosen one(s).” More modern versions use “elect” only in the New Testament, to refer to people who have been saved by God through faith in Jesus. Elsewhere in the Bible text, they translate this word more literally as “chosen ones.”

## Translation Suggestions:

* It is best to translate “elect” with a word or phrase that means “chosen ones” or “chosen people.” This could also be translated as “people whom God chose” or “the ones God appointed to be his people.”
* The phrase “who were chosen” could also be translated as “who were appointed” or “who were selected” or “whom God chose.”
* “I chose you” could be translated as “I appointed you” or “I selected you.”
* In reference to Jesus, “Chosen One” could also be translated as “God’s chosen One” or “God’s specially appointed Messiah” or “the One God appointed (to save people).”

(See also: [appoint](../kt/appoint.md), [Christ](../kt/christ.md))

## Bible References:

* [2 John 01:01](rc://en/tn/help/2jn/01/01)
* [Colossians 03:12](rc://en/tn/help/col/03/12)
* [Ephesians 01:3-4](rc://en/tn/help/eph/01/03)
* [Isaiah 65:22-23](rc://en/tn/help/isa/65/22)
* [Luke 18:07](rc://en/tn/help/luk/18/07)
* [Matthew 24:19-22](rc://en/tn/help/mat/24/19)
* [Romans 08:33](rc://en/tn/help/rom/08/33)


## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H970, H972, H977, H1262, H1305, H4005, H6901, G138, G140, G1586, G1588, G1589, G1951, G3724, G4400, G4401, G4758, G4899, G5500
