Berean Word Study – Divine Election

Scripture Index & Word Study

Introduction

This resource presents a curated list of Scripture passages that address the doctrine of divine election—God’s sovereign choosing of individuals or groups for salvation, covenantal identity, or specific purpose. The verses are drawn from both Old and New Testaments and include language around choosing, electing, calling, and predestining.

To support deeper study, this page also introduces key original language terms in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that underlie the English translations. Readers are encouraged to engage the texts directly, trace patterns, and test theological claims against the Word—like true Bereans.

Full Scripture List (ESV)

Note: Verses are grouped thematically but presented in full for direct reading and printing. All references are from the English Standard Version.

Old Testament — God’s Choosing

• Deuteronomy 7:6 — “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession…”
• Deuteronomy 14:2 — “…the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession…”
• Psalm 135:4 — “For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself…”
• Isaiah 42:1 — “Behold my servant… my chosen…”
• Isaiah 65:9 — “…my chosen shall possess it…”

New Testament — Election, Calling, Predestination

• Matthew 24:22, 24, 31 — “…for the sake of the elect…” / “…even the elect.” / “…gather his elect…”
• John 15:16 — “You did not choose me, but I chose you…”
• Romans 8:29–30 — “…he also predestined… he also called…”
• Romans 9:11–13 — “…God’s purpose of election…” / “Jacob I loved…”
• Romans 11:5–7, 28 — “…a remnant, chosen by grace…” / “…as regards election…”
• Ephesians 1:4–5, 11 — “He chose us in him…” / “…predestined according to purpose…”
• Colossians 3:12 — “As God’s chosen ones…”
• 1 Thessalonians 1:4 — “…he has chosen you…”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13 — “God chose you… through sanctification…”
• 2 Timothy 1:9 — “…called us… because of his own purpose…”
• Titus 1:1 — “…faith of God’s elect…”
• 1 Peter 1:1–2 — “To those who are elect… according to foreknowledge…”
• 2 Peter 1:10 — “…confirm your calling and election…”
• Revelation 17:14 — “…called and chosen and faithful.”

Word Study: Original Language Terms

Hebrew (Old Testament)

• בָּחַר (bāchar) — to choose, select. Used in Deut. 7:6, Ps. 135:4. Indicates intentional, covenantal selection.
• יָדַע (yada) — to know. Gen. 18:19. Often implies relational foreknowledge, not mere awareness.

Aramaic (NT via Peshitta)

• ܓܒܝܐ (gavya) — chosen ones. Found in Aramaic renderings of Matthew 24. Emphasizes active calling and gathered identity.

Greek (New Testament)

• ἐκλέγομαι / ἐκλεκτός (eklegomai / eklektos) — to choose / elect. Found in Matt. 24, Rom. 8, Col. 3. Central to NT election language.
• προορίζω (proorizō) — to predestine. Rom. 8:29, Eph. 1:5. Indicates foreordained purpose.
• καλέω (kaleō) — to call. Rom. 8:30, 1 Cor. 1:9. Often tied to effectual calling.
• προγινώσκω (proginōskō) — to foreknow. Rom. 8:29, 1 Pet. 1:2. Carries relational and covenantal weight.