138. haireó
Lexical Summary
haireó: To take, to choose, to prefer

Original Word: αἱρέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: haireó
Pronunciation: hahee-reh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (hahee-reh'-om-ahee)
KJV: choose
NASB: choose, choosing, chosen
Word Origin: [probably akin to G142 (αἴρω - take)]

1. to take for oneself, i.e. to prefer

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

HELPS Word-studies

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.]

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

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
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 (common in Attic), Hebrews 11:25. (Compare: ἀναιρέω, ἀφαιρέω, διαιρέω, ἐξαιρέω, καθαιρέω, περιαιρέω, προαιρέω.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 138 conveys the idea of making a deliberate, well-considered choice. Scripture uses the verb both for God’s sovereign election and for thoughtful human decision, highlighting that true choosing is never random but always purposeful and value-laden.

Biblical Occurrences

Philippians 1:22 – Paul weighs the options of fruitful labor on earth or being with Christ in glory: “Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!”. His uncertainty underscores that even apostolic desires must submit to the Lord’s ultimate will.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 – “God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth”. Here the verb anchors the doctrine of divine election, rooting believers’ assurance in God’s initiating grace.
Hebrews 11:25 – Moses “chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin”. The text links faith with a decisive rejection of temporal comfort for eternal reward.

Theological Emphases

1. Divine Election: In 2 Thessalonians believers are the passive recipients of God’s gracious choosing, highlighting unmerited favor and the security that flows from it (Ephesians 1:4; John 15:16).
2. Disciple’s Choice: Moses’ choice illustrates that faith manifests in decisive allegiance, echoing Joshua’s call, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
3. Tension of Desires: Paul’s struggle in Philippians shows legitimate competing longings—ministry fruitfulness and personal union with Christ—both resolved by surrender to God’s plan.

Historical Context

• Moses’ decision took place amid Egypt’s splendor, making his choice counter-cultural and costly. Jewish listeners in the first century would recognize it as the archetype of covenant loyalty.
• Paul’s Roman imprisonment frames his pondering in Philippians, reminding the church at Philippi that Christian fruitfulness can flourish even under adverse civil conditions.
• The Christians in Thessalonica faced persecution; Paul’s mention of God’s prior choice strengthened them against false teaching about the day of the Lord.

Ministry Significance

Pastors can draw on this verb to teach both security and responsibility:
• Encourage believers who doubt their salvation that the same God who chose them will keep them (Romans 8:30).
• Challenge congregations to make decisive stands against cultural compromise, following Moses’ example.
• Model prayerful discernment in life decisions, acknowledging, like Paul, the primacy of Christ’s will.

Practical Application

• Personal Devotion: Regularly reaffirm one’s allegiance to Christ, allowing God’s prior choice to fuel daily choices for holiness.
• Corporate Worship: Songs and liturgy that celebrate God’s electing love cultivate gratitude and humility.
• Evangelism: While God chooses, He also commands proclamation; therefore Christians persuade others, trusting the Spirit to awaken responsive hearts.

Intertextual Connections

Acts 13:48 parallels 2 Thessalonians 2:13 in tying faith to divine appointment. Hebrews 11:26 links Moses’ choice to Christ’s greater riches, connecting Old and New Covenant motivations. Philippians 1:23-24 balances longing for heaven with commitment to earthly ministry, a theme echoed in 2 Corinthians 5:6-9.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 138 portrays choosing as a decisive, value-laden act that unites God’s sovereign purpose with human faithfulness. Its three New Testament uses encourage believers to rest in divine election, to embrace sacrificial obedience, and to seek the Spirit’s guidance in every crossroads of life.

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
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Philippians 1:22 V-FIM-1S
GRK: καὶ τί αἱρήσομαι οὐ γνωρίζω
NAS: which to choose.
KJV: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
INT: and what I will choose not I know

2 Thessalonians 2:13 V-AIM-3S
GRK: Κυρίου ὅτι εἵλατο ὑμᾶς ὁ
NAS: God has chosen you from the beginning
KJV: from the beginning chosen you to
INT: [the] Lord that chose you

Hebrews 11:25 V-APM-NMS
GRK: μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συνκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ
NAS: choosing rather
KJV: Choosing rather to suffer affliction
INT: rather having chosen to suffer affliction with the

Strong's Greek 138
3 Occurrences


αἱρήσομαι — 1 Occ.
εἵλατο — 1 Occ.
ἑλόμενος — 1 Occ.

137
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