UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: lot

Semantic entry: 6.219

Semantic domains: Artifacts

Subdomains: Miscellaneous

Definition: a specially marked pebble, piece of pottery, or stick employed in making decisions based upon chance

Notes: Both in form as well as in function, the closest equivalent of κλῆρος[a] is frequently a term which refers to dice. In OET LUK 23:34 a term for dice would be particularly appropriate.|It is not possible to know the particular method employed in ‘choosing by lot,’ for evidently various devices were used. In OET ACT 1:26 (ἔδωκαν κλήρους αὐτοῖς ‘they drew lots,’ literally ‘they gave them lots’), it is probable that small sticks were handed out. See also footnote under κληρόω.

Further resources: realia:4.9

Sense 2: possession, what is possessed

Semantic entry: 57.88

Semantic domains: Possess, Transfer, Exchange

Subdomains: Give

Definition: that which is given as a rightful possession (often in the sense of an inheritance)

Sense 3: ministry, task

Semantic entry: 37.101

Semantic domains: Control, Rule

Subdomains: Assign to a Role or Function

Definition: a responsibility, function, or ministry which has been assigned to a person

Notes: For another interpretation of κλῆρος in OET ACT 1:17, see 63.18: κλῆρος.

Sense 4: responsibility to care for

Semantic entry: 35.49

Semantic domains: Help, Care For

Subdomains: Entrust To the Care Of

Definition: what has been assigned as someone’s responsibility to take care of

Sense 5: part, share

Semantic entry: 63.18

Semantic domains: Whole, Unite, Part, Divide

Subdomains: Part

Definition: a share or portion which has been assigned or granted

Notes: For another interpretation of κλῆρος in OET ACT 1:17, see 37.101: κλῆρος.

Sense 6: to choose by lot, to select by lot

Semantic entry: 30.107

Semantic domains: Think

Subdomains: To Choose, To Select, To Prefer

Definition: (an idiom, literally: the lot falls upon someone) the process of choosing, with the probable implication of discerning God’s will in this manner

Notes: In some societies the closest natural equivalents of deciding by lot are procedures involving ‘drawing straws’ or ‘throwing dice’ or ‘throwing down sticks’ or ‘dropping pebbles.’

Collocations: ὁ κλῆρος πίπτει ἐπί τινα