Psalms 119:173 — Word Study
WLCתְּהִֽי־ יָדְךָ֥ לְעָזְרֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ בָחָֽרְתִּי׃
BSAMay Your handyâd [an open hand; strength, a side or share] be readyhâyâh▸ to help meʻâzar [assist and aid] forkîy [because of this reason] I have chosenbâchar■ [selected and preferred] Your preceptspiqqûwd [commands and statutes, divine instructions]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תְּהִֽי־ | may it be | Verb, Qal, jussive third person feminine singular |
| יָדְךָ֥ | hand your | Noun common both singular construct, suffix |
| לְעָזְרֵ֑נִי | [about] to help me | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common, suffix |
| כִּ֖י | for | Particle |
| פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ | precepts your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| בָחָֽרְתִּי׃ | I have chosen | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. |
| KJV | Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. |
| ASV | Let thy hand be ready to help me; For I have chosen thy precepts. |
| YLT | Thy hand is for a help to me, For Thy commands I have chosen. |
| WEB | Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. |
| BBE | Let your hand be near for my help; for I have given my heart to your orders. |
Where they part company is over the understanding of בָּחָֽרְתִּי — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of a main request followed by a causal clause explaining the reason for that request.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 119:173
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Prayer for Helpgenerated
Psalm 119:173 is a prayer where the psalmist appeals to God for assistance. He acknowledges his choice to follow God's precepts, which serves as the foundation for his request for help. This verse emphasizes the relationship between obedience to God's commands and reliance on His support, reflecting a common theme throughout the Psalms.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:94–117 | I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts. |
| 2 | Isaiah 41:10–14 | Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. |
| 3 | Mark 9:24 | Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” |
| 4 | 2 Corinthians 12:9 | But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. |
| 5 | Ephesians 6:10–20 | Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בָּחָֽרְתִּי, va.Cha.re.tigenerated
The verb בָּחַר (bachar) means to choose or select, indicating a deliberate act of preference. It suggests a thoughtful decision, often in the context of divine selection or human choice.
In this verse, the psalmist states, I have chosen, indicating a personal commitment to follow God's precepts. This choice is significant, as it establishes a basis for his plea for divine assistance.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, we reference the Berean Standard Bible (BSB) as the base for comparison.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb תְּהִֽי־ (tehi) governs the main request of the verse, with a noun phrase יָדְךָ֥ (yadkha) as the subject, indicating God's hand, and a prepositional phrase לְעָזְרֵ֑נִי (le'azreni) describing the purpose of the request.
The structure emphasizes the psalmist's plea for help, supported by the reason given in the clause כִּ֖י (ki), which introduces the rationale for his request based on his choice of God's precepts.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תְּהִֽי־ as γενέσθω (genesthō), which conveys a similar sense of a request for something to come into being or to happen. This choice reflects a direct appeal to God's action.
The translation of בָּחָֽרְתִּי as ᾑρετισάμην (hairetisamen) indicates a focus on the act of choosing, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while also suggesting a personal commitment to the chosen path.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:173 expresses a heartfelt plea for God's help, based on the psalmist's choice to follow God's commands. The verse highlights the connection between obedience to divine instructions and seeking assistance from God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Choosing God's precepts means deciding to follow His commands and teachings, which guide one's actions and decisions in life.
The psalmist asks for God's hand to help because he recognizes his reliance on God's strength and support in living according to His commands.
This verse relates to other parts of the Psalms by emphasizing the importance of trusting in God for help and guidance, especially when one is committed to following His ways.
We can learn the importance of seeking God's assistance in our lives, especially when we are committed to following His teachings and living according to His will.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's help, like the psalmist?
- How can I better align my choices with God's precepts?
- What does it mean for me to rely on God's strength in my daily life?
- How can I encourage others to choose God's commands in their lives?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo cites this verse in his exposition, using it to discuss the significance of God's commandments in the life of the believer.
"Let Your hand be stretched forth (fiat, be made) to save me, for I have chosen Your commandments" [Psalms 119:173].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:173 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLet thine hand help me,.... Let thine hand of power help me against mine enemies, and deliver me from them; and let thine hand of providence and grace communicate to me, and supply me with and help
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLet thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. Let thine hand help me: for I have chosen thy precepts - as my chief portion, in preference to worldly gains or pleasures.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleVer. 173. For my guide and companion, and chief joy and treasure.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.Ver. 173. Let thy hand help me] To do what I have promised. For I have chosen thy precepts] Refusing Satan’ s cut-throat kindness.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 173. Let thine hand help me] Exert thy power in my defence.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges173. Let thine hand be ready to help me (R.V.). for &c.] Psalms 119:174 is best taken in close connexion with Psalms 119:173 b. He pleads three reasons for an answer to his prayers:—he has deliberately resolved to obey God’s precepts (cp. Psalms 119:30; Deuteronomy 30:19); he has long been waiting eagerly for deliverance from the hindrances to obedience which surround him (cp. Psalms 119:40; Psalms 119:166); his devotion has been no grudging service, but his constant delight (Psalms 119:24 &c.).
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleLet thine hand help me - Do thou help me - the hand being that by which we accomplish anything. For I have chosen that precepts - I have chosen them as my comforters and my guide.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleú, Tav.169-176. Let thine hand help me—Finally, the two great wants of man, strength of soul to live righteously and deliverance from outward evils, are rehearsed. The writer is persecuted for his faith.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 119 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.
Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.
May your hand help me, for I choose to obey your precepts.
Tyndale line
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
Let thy hand be ready to help me; For I have chosen thy precepts.
Let thine hand be ready to help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
Let thy hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
Let thine hand helpe me: for I haue chosen thy precepts.
Strictly literal
Let thy hand be for my help; for I have chosen thy precepts.
Thy hand is for a help to me, For Thy commands I have chosen.
Your hand is for a help to me, || For I have chosen Your commands.
Let thy hand be [ready] to help me; for thy precepts have I chosen.
May your hand help me, for I have chosen your instructions.
Simplified
Please be ready to help me, for I have chosen to follow your instructions.
Let your hand be near for my help; for I have given my heart to your orders.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: 'תְּהִֽי־ יָדְךָ֥ לְעָזְרֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ בָחָֽרְתִּי׃' which translates to 'May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.' The Septuagint aligns closely with the Masoretic Text, as all six words match in meaning, though the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Dead Sea Scrolls (11Q5) also agree with the Masoretic Text, presenting the same phrases with minor orthographic variations, such as the use of apostrophes. Overall, the primary ancient witnesses confirm the text of the Masoretic Text without significant differences.
תְּהִֽי־ יָדְךָ֥ לְעָזְרֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ בָחָֽרְתִּי׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
תהי יד׳כה לעוזר׳ני כי פקודי׳כה בחרתי
6 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 119:173
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · jussive third person feminine singularHVqj3fs
יָד (yad) means 'hand' and can also refer to strength or power in a figurative sense. It encompasses various technical uses, such as a sign or monument, parts or shares, and even specific components in construction, like axle-trees and supports for the laver. The word is versatile, appearing in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
יָד 1604 n.f. hand
hand
Fig. = strength, power
Fig. = side
יָד is used in various special, technical senses:—
sign, monument
part, fractional part or share
time, repetition
axle-trees
stays, supports for laver
tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle
a (beckoning) hand
יַד with prep.
base
H3027 יָד hand . hand
. Fig. = strength, power
. Fig. = side
. יָד is used in various special, technical senses:— . sign, monument
. part, fractional part or share
. time, repetition
. axle-trees
. stays, supports for laver
. tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle
. a (beckoning) hand
. יַד with prep.
3027 yad yawd
a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power,
means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed
one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of
applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate
and remote (as follows):--(+ be) able, X about, + armholes,
at, axletree, because of, beside, border, X bounty, + broad,
(broken-)handed, X by, charge, coast, + consecrate, +
creditor, custody, debt, dominion, X enough, + fellowship,
force, X from, hand(-staves, -y work), X he, himself, X in,
labour, + large, ledge, (left-)handed, means, X mine,
ministry, near, X of, X order, ordinance, X our, parts, pain,
power, X presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay,
draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by
them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing,
+ thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side,
יָד (yad) — hand.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)
1d) (various special, technical senses)
1d1) sign, monument
1d2) part, fractional part, share
1d3) time, repetition
1d4) axle-trees, axle
1d5) stays, support (for laver)
1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)
1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)
1d8) wrists
יָד (yad) — hand: power.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)
1d) (various special, technical senses)
1d1) sign, monument
1d2) part, fractional part, share
1d3) time, repetition
1d4) axle-trees, axle
1d5) stays, support (for laver)
1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)
1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)
1d8) wrists
יָד (yad) — hand: themselves.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
N-cs | Suff — Noun common both singular construct · suffixHNcbsc/Sp2ms
עָזַר (azar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to help or succour. It is built from a primitive root that conveys the idea of surrounding or protecting. The entries indicate its use in various forms: Qal (to help), Niphal (to be helped), and Hiphil (to help). The word captures the essence of providing support or aid.
[עָזַר] 82 vb. help, succour
Qal help
Niph. I am helped
Hiph. v. Qal.
base
H5826 [עָזַר] help, succour
5826 `azar aw-zar'
a primitive root; to surround, i.e. protect or aid:--help,
succour.
עָזַר (a.zar) — to help.
1) to help, succour, support
1a) (Qal) to help
1b) (Niphal) to be helped
1c) (Hiphil) to help
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffixHR/Vqcc/Sp1bs
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
פִּקּוּד (piqqud) refers to a precept or mandate, specifically one that is appointed by God. It is derived from a root meaning to appoint and is used in a plural form to collectively denote commandments or statutes within the Law.
[פִּקּוּד] 24 n.m. precept
base
H6490 [פִּקּוּד] precept
6490 piqquwd pik-kood'
or piqqud {pik-kood'}; from 6485; properly, appointed, i.e. a
mandate (of God; plural only, collectively, for the
Law):--commandment, precept, statute.
see HEBREW for 06485
פִּקּוּד (piq.qud) — precept.
precept, statute
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
בָּחַר (bachar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to choose or select. It encompasses actions like examining and trying, indicating both divine and human choices. The word can appear in various forms, such as being chosen or selected. It is used in contexts of making decisions, often with specific prepositions indicating the nature of the choice.
בָּחַר vb. choose
Qal
with בְּ,
divine choice
man’s choice
with אֲשֶׁר:
divine choice
man’s choice
with acc. & לְ, choose some one or something for
with acc. and מִן, choose, select from
acc.
divine choice
man’s choice
with עַל, for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction
with לְ of acc. chosen
test, try
Niph. to be chosen
Pu. chosen, selected
base
H977 בָּחַר examine, try .. examine, scrutinize, try
. prove, test, try
. to be tried, proved
. the trial has been made
977 bachar baw-khar'
a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication)
select:--acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent,
join, be rather, require.
בָּחַר (ba.char) — to choose.
1) to choose, elect, decide for
1a) (Qal) to choose
1b) (Niphal) to be chosen
1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
cho'-z'-n.
See CHOOSE.
Chosen
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.)
