Original Word: αἱρέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: haireó
Pronunciation: hahee-reh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (hahee-reh'-om-ahee)
Definition: To take, to choose, to prefer
Meaning: I choose, prefer.

Word Origin: A primary verb

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of choosing is reflected in several Hebrew words, such as בָּחַר (bachar, Strong's H977), which means "to choose" or "to select."

Usage: The Greek verb "haireó" primarily means "to take" or "to choose." It conveys the act of selecting or preferring something or someone over another. In the New Testament, it is often used in contexts where a choice or decision is made, whether by individuals or by God.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of choice was significant in philosophical and ethical discussions. The ability to choose was often associated with moral responsibility and personal agency. In the Jewish context, choice was also a central theme, particularly in relation to God's covenant with Israel and the call to choose obedience to God's laws.

138 hairéomai (a primitive verb, always in the Greek middle voice) – properly, lay hold of by a personal choice.

[The Greek middle voice emphasizes the self-interest of the one preferring (deciding) to grasp or take.]

Word Origin
a prim. verb
Definition
to take, choose
NASB Translation
choose (1), choosing (1), chosen (1).

STRONGS NT 138: αἱρέω

αἱρέω, (ῶ: (thought by some to be akin to ἄγρα, ἀγρέω, χείρ, English grip, etc.; cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Lexil. 1:131 — but see Curtius, § 117); to take. In the N. T. in the middle only: future αἱρήσομαι; 2 aorist εἱλόμην, but G L T Tr WH ἑιλάμην, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, cf. (Tdf. Proleg., p. 123; WHs Appendix, p. 165;) Winers Grammar, § 13, 1 a.; Buttmann, 40 (35), see ἀπέρχομαι at the beginning; (participle ἑλόμενος, Hebrews 11:25); to take for oneself, to choose, prefer: Philippians 1:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; μᾶλλον followed by infinitive with ἤ (common in Attic), Hebrews 11:25. (Compare: ἀναιρέω, ἀφαιρέω, διαιρέω, ἐξαιρέω, καθαιρέω, περιαιρέω, προαιρέω.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

choose.

Probably akin to airo; to take for oneself, i.e. To prefer -- choose. Some of the forms are borrowed from a cognate hellomai hel'-lom-ahee; which is otherwise obsolete.

see GREEK airo

Forms and Transliterations

αιρείται αιρησομαι αιρήσομαι αἱρήσομαι ειλατο είλατό εἵλατο είλετο είλοντο είλου ελομενος ελόμενος ἑλόμενος ελώμεθα ηρείτο airesomai airēsomai eilato elomenos hairesomai hairēsomai hairḗsomai heilato heílato helomenos helómenos

Links

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