κλῆροςklēros
a die (for drawing chances); by implication, a portion (as if so secured); by extension, an acquisition (especially a patrimony, figuratively)
Greek (New Testament) · G2819
Meanings
a lot
(a) that which is cast or drawn: Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, John 19:24(LXX), Acts 1:26
(b) that which is obtained by casting: Acts 1:17, Acts 8:21; of a part in the Kingdom of God (cf. Wisdom 5:5), Acts 26:18, Colossians 1:12; plural of the "cure" of a presbyter, 1 Peter 5:3 (see ICC, in l.).
Same root
- κλάωkláō · G2806to break (specially, of bread)
- κληρόωklēróō · G2820to allot, i.e. (figuratively) to assign (a privilege)
- κατακληροδοτέωkataklērodotéō · G2624to be a giver of lots to each, i.e. (by implication) to apportion an estate
- ὁλόκληροςholóklēros · G3648complete in every part, i.e. perfectly sound (in body)
- ναύκληροςnaúklēros · G3490a captain
- κληρονόμοςklēronómos · G2818a sharer by lot, i.e. inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor
Where it appears
Appears 11 times in the Bible.
- Matthew 27:35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
- Mark 15:24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece.
- Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
- John 19:24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did.
- Acts 1:17 Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”
- Acts 1:26 Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.