Bible Dictionary
Chosen
Chosen describes persons, places, or things selected for a particular purpose. Scripture speaks of God’s chosen people, Jerusalem, Christ as God’s chosen Servant, the apostles, and those chosen for salvation and service.
Definition
Chosen describes someone or something selected for a particular purpose. Scripture speaks of chosen warriors, the Hebrew nation, Jerusalem as the temple city, Christ as God’s chosen One, and the apostles as chosen for their work.
Biblical Usage
The term expresses divine selection and calling. Jesus is the chosen One of God, and the saying “many are called, but few are chosen” is applied to those who do not profit by their opportunities.
Historical Background
The word is used across several biblical settings, including warfare, national identity, Jerusalem’s temple significance, Christ’s mission, and apostolic service.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Spoken of warriors (Ex. 15:4; Judg. 20:16), of the Hebrew nation (Ps. 105:43; Deut. 7:7), of Jerusalem as the seat of the temple (1 Kings 11:13). Christ is the “chosen” of God (Isa. 42:1); and the apostles are “chosen” for their work (Acts 10:41). It is said with regard to those who do not profit by their opportunities that “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 20:16). (See ELECTION.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>cho'-z'-n.</p><p>See CHOOSE.</p>