Quick Definition
a lot, portion
Strong's Definition
a die (for drawing chances); by implication, a portion (as if so secured); by extension, an acquisition (especially a patrimony, figuratively)
Derivation: probably from G2806 (κλάω) (through the idea of using bits of wood, etc., for the purpose;
KJV Usage: heritage, inheritance, lot, part
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
κλῆρος, κλήρου, ὁ, from Homer down; the Sept. mostly for βΜεψΘμ and πΗηΒμΘδ; a lot; i. e.:
1. an object used in casting or drawing lots, which was either a pebble, or a potsherd, or a bit of wood (hence, κλῆρος is to be derived from κλάω (cf. Ellicott on Col_1:12)): Act_1:26 (see below); βάλλοντες κλῆρον, Mat_27:35; Mar_15:24; Luk_23:34; Joh_19:24 (Psalm 21:19 (); Jon_1:7, etc.); the lots of the several persons concerned, inscribed with their names, were thrown together into a vase, which was then shaken, and he whose lot first fell out upon the ground was the one chosen (Homer, Iliad 3, 316, 325; 7, 175, etc.; Livy 23, 3 (but cf. B. D. American edition, under the word Lot)); hence, ὁ κλῆρος πίπτει ἐπί τινα, Act_1:26 (Eze_24:6; Jon_1:7).
2. what is obtained by lot, allotted portion: λαγχάνειν and λαμβάνειν τόν κλῆρον τῆς διακονίας, a prrtion in the ministry common to the apostles, Act_1:17; Act_1:25 R G; ἐστι μοι κλῆρος ἐν τίνι, dative of the thing, Act_8:21; like κληρονομία (which see) it is used of the part which one will have in eternal salvation, λαμβάνειν ... τόν κλῆρον ἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις, among the sanctified, Act_26:18 (Wis_5:5); of eternal salvation itself, κλῆρος τῶν ἁγίων, i. e. the eternal salvation which God has assigned to the saints, Col_1:12 (where cf. Lightfoot). of persons, οἱ κλῆροι, those whose care and oversight has been assigned to one (allotted charge), used of Christian churches, the administration of which falls to the lot of the presbyters: 1Pe_5:3, cf. Act_17:4; (for patristic usage see Sophocles Lexicon, under the word; cf. Lightfoot on Philippians, p. 246f).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
κλῆρος klēros 11x
a lot, die, a thing used in determining chances, Mat_27:35 ; Mar_15:24 ; Luk_23:34 ; Joh_19:24 ; Act_1:26 ;
assignment, investiture, Act_1:17 ;
allotment, destination, Col_1:12 ;
a part, portion, share, Act_8:21 ; Act_26:18 ;
a constituent portion of the Church, 1Pe_5:3 * inheritance; lot; share.
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
κλῆρος , -ου , ὁ ,
[in LXX chiefly for H5159 , H1486 ;]
a lot;
(a) that which is cast or drawn: Mat_27:35 , Mar_15:24 , Luk_23:34 , Joh_19:24 ( LXX ), Act_1:26 ;
(b) that which is obtained by casting: Act_1:17 ; Act_8:21 ; of a part in the Kingdom of God ( cf. Wis 55), Act_26:18 , Col_1:12 ; pl . of the "cure" of a presbyter, 1Pe_5:3 ( v. ICC , in l ).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
κλῆρος [page 347]
κλῆρος in its primary sense of a lot (cf. Mat_27:35 , Act_1:26 ) is found in P Fay 125 .3 (ii/A.D.) καλῶς [ποιή ]σεις , ἄδελφε , μὴ ἀμελήσας το [ῦ ] κλήρου τοῦ στρατηγικοῦ , you will do well, brother, not to neglect the ballot for the strategus (Edd. see their note ad l. ) : see also P Lond 1220 (A.D. 202 7) (= III. p. 114 f.), a document endorsed κλῆρος πράκτ (ορος ), which contains the names of two persons suitable for the post of πράκτωρ ἀργυρικῶν , to be submitted to the Prefect in order that one of them may be selected by lot .11 ff. πεμφθησομένους εἰς κλῆρο̣ν τῷ λαμπρωτάτῳ ἡγεμόνι , and P Oxy III. 533 .21 (ii/iii A.D.) ἐπισκέψασθε . . ἐπιστολ (ὴν ) . . γραφεῖσαν περὶ τοῦ ὀνόματα πεμφθῆναι ἀντ᾽ ἐμοῦ εἰς κλῆρον τῆς πρακτορείας , look out a letter written about the substitution of other names for mine in drawing tots for the post of collector (Edd.). From this the transition is easy to an office or post assigned by lot (cf. Act_1:17 ), as when an incoming official, who has been elected to the office of local registrar, certifies that he has received a copy of a census-return in the words Αὐρήλιος Ὡριγένης ἐν κλήρῳ ἔσχον ἴσον . Cf. Wilcken Ostr. i. p. 603 f. The word is very common with reference to the allotments or parcels of land assigned to the κάτοικοι (see s.v. ), which were usually called after the names of their first occupiers, as in P Oxy I. 45 .10 (A.D. 95) ἐκ τοῦ Μενοιτίου κλήρου κατοικικῆς γῆς σειτοφόρου σπορίμου ἐξ ὀρθογω (νίου ), a square piece of allotment corn land ready for sowing, forming part of the lot of Menoetius, ib. 46 .19 (A.D. 100) ἐκ τοῦ Ἀνδρονείκου κλήρου . In P Tebt II. 376 .27 (A.D. 162) the word is used with reference to βασιλικὴ γῆ . One or two miscellaneous exx. may be added P Lille I. 14 .5 (B.C. 243 2) ἀνάλαβε ( confiscate ) δ᾽ [οὖν α ]ὐτοῦ τὸν κλῆρον εἰς τὸ βασιλικόν , P Magd 1 .7 (B.C. 221) a complaint against a man who, having a right only to half an allotment, ὅλον τὸν κλῆρον κατέσπειρεν , and P Petr III. 26 .6 (Ptol.), where provision is made that if an ox, or any other animal, ἐμβῆι . . εἰς ἀλλότριον κλῆρον , trespass on another man s allotment, the owner shall be responsible for any damage done. In P Par 63 .105 (B.C. 164) (= P Petr III. p. 26) reference is made to the μάχιμοι or native troops who are unable to work even their own farms οὐδὲ τοὺς ἰδίου ( l. ἰδίους ) κλήρους αὐτουργε̣ι̣ͅν̣ δυναμένους and consequently in the winter time borrow money on their rents κατὰ τὸ (ν ) χειμῶνα δανει [ζομ ]ένους ἐπὶ τοῖς ἐκφορίοι [ς , in P Ryl II. 243 .10 (ii/A.D.) two women write to their steward ὅσα ποτὲ οὖν ἐὰν̣ ἀναναλώσῃς ( l. ἀναλώσῃς ) ἰς τὴν τοῦ κλήρου κατεργασίαν , ἡμεῖν ἐνλόγησον ἐπὶ λόγου , put down to our account everything you expend on the cultivation of the holding (Edd.), and in P Meyer 3 .20 (A.D. 148) an official order is witnessed in the words Ἄρρε [ιο ]ς . . ἐν κλήρῳ ὑπηρέτ (ης ) μεταδ̣ε̣δ̣οκ (α ) The difficult κλήρων of 1Pe_5:3 is probably best understood of the portions or congregations ( parisshes, Tind., Cranmer) of God s people assigned or allotted to the presbyters (cf. Deu_9:29 ), while an ex. of the later ecclesiastical use of the term may be found in a Macedonian inset., not earlier than ii/A.D.
ὁρκίζω οὖν
τὴν εὐλογημένην τῆς Ἀμφιπολιτῶν
ἁγίας ἐκκλησίας ἐπισκοπὴν
καὶ τὸν ταύτης θεοφιλῆ κλῆρον ,
where Ferguson ( Legal Terms , p. 60) thinks that κλῆρον is best understood of the clergy, considered collectively, Κλῆρος is apparently = will (see the editor s note) in the late P Lond V. 1733 .85 (A.D. 594). In BGU IV. 1209 .5 (B.C. 23) a man who has died is described as ὁ εὔκληρος , the fortunate one.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
κλῆρος, -ου, ὁ
[in LXX chiefly for נַחֲלָה גּוֹרָל ;]
a lot;
__(a) that which is cast or drawn: Mat.27:35, Mrk.15:24, Luk.23:34, Jhn.19:24" (LXX), Act.1:26;
__(b) that which is obtained by casting: Act.1:17 8:21; of a part in the Kingdom of God (cf. Wis 55), Act.26:18, Col.1:12; pl. of the "cure" of a presbyter, 1Pe.5:3 (see ICC, in l).†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Inheritance (lot) (2819) kleros
Allotted to (your) charge (2819) (kleros from kláo = to break) was first a specially marked small object, pebble or a piece of wood used in casting lots as in Acts 1:17, 26. The object was thrown down in order to aid the making decisions a practice based on pagan views of chance (Greeks and Romans), or in the case of believers using the lot and interpreting the result as guided by God (see Acts 1:26 in choosing Judas' replacement).
Kleros is used 11 times in the NAS (Matt. 27:35; Mk. 15:24; Lk. 23:34; Jn. 19:24; Acts 1:17, 26; 8:21; 26:18; Col. 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:3) and is translated: allotted to your charge, 1; inheritance, 2; lot, 1; lots, 5; portion, 1; share, 1.
Kleros - 115x in the Septuagint - Gen. 48:6; 49:14; Exod. 6:8; Lev. 16:8ff; Num. 16:14; 18:21, 24, 26; 26:55f, 62; 27:7; 32:19; 33:53f; 34:13ff; 35:2; 36:2f, 9; Deut. 2:5, 9, 19; 3:18; 4:21; 5:31; 9:29; 10:9; 11:31; 12:1, 12; 14:27, 29; 15:4; 17:14; 18:1f; 19:10, 14; 21:23; 24:4; 25:15, 19; 26:1; 29:8; Jos. 12:7; 13:6; 14:2f, 9, 13f; 17:4, 6, 14, 17; 18:6, 8, 10f; 19:1f, 9f, 17, 24, 32, 40, 49, 51; 21:4, 10; 23:4; 24:30; Jdg. 1:3; 20:9; 1 Chr. 6:54, 61, 63, 65; 24:5, 7, 31; 25:8f; 26:13f; Neh. 10:34; 11:1; Esther 3:7; 4:17; 9:24, 26; 10:3; Ps. 22:18; 68:13; 125:3; Prov. 1:14; 18:18; Is. 34:17; 57:6; Jer. 12:13; 13:25; Ezek. 24:6; 47:22; 48:29; Dan. 12:13; Hos. 5:7; Joel 3:3; Obad. 1:11; Jon. 1:7; Mic. 2:5; Nah. 3:10
Kleros also was used to refer to the allotted portion or inheritance , specifically one's possession or what is possessed (Acts 8:21, 26:18, 20:32, Colossians 1:12-note)
BAGD adds that kleros can refer to something that inevitably happens and so is one's lot or destiny, as used especially of martyrs ("fulfill one's own destiny").
Evidence suggests that the Greek method of casting lots was followed by the Romans. The lots of several parties were properly marked or distinguished and put into a vessel which was violently shaken by one who turned his face away. The lot which first fell upon the ground indicated the man chosen or preferred for the occasion. The Romans attributed divine choice to this method.
Here in 1Peter 5:3, kleros is in the plural and as Vincent notes below, seems to refer to distinct congregations of Christians which fell to the lot, as it were, of different pastors. BAGD agrees writing that here kleros seems
seem to denote the ââ¬Ëflock’ as a whole, i.e. the various parts of the people of God which have been assigned as ââ¬Ëportions’ to individual elders or shepherds (of the various portions that combine to form a whole (Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature)
TDNT writes that...
The basic sense of kleros is “lot” (in drawing lots), then “portion,” and finally “inheritance”... A first meaning in the NT is “lot,” as in Mk. 15:24 (with emphasis on the humiliation of Christ) and Acts 1:26 (with emphasis on seeking the will of God). The main sense, however, is “allotted portion.” Thus Judas has a share in the apostles’ ministry in Acts 1:17. Simon Magus has no share in God’s word or gift in Acts 8:21, and there is reference to an eschatological portion in Acts 26:18; Col. 1:12. Ignatius expands on this sense in Ephesians 11.2 etc. and Polycarp in Polycarp 12.2. In 1 Pet. 5:2, 3 what is meant is not the elders’ personal possessions, and certainly not offerings on their behalf, but the portions assigned to them (i.e., to their charge). (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) (Bolding added)
Vincent comments that "lot" (KJV, heritage) is
Plural. Kleros means lot. From the kindred adjective klerikos comes the English cleric, contracted into clerk, which in ecclesiastical writings originally signified a minister; either as being chosen by lot like Matthias, or as being the lot or inheritance of God. Hence Wycliffe translates the passage, “neither as having lordship in the clergie.” As in the Middle Ages the clergy were almost the only persons who could write, the word clerk came to have one of its common modern meanings. The word here, though its interpretation is somewhat disputed, seems to refer to the several congregations — the lots or charges assigned to the elders. (Greek Word Studies)
BUT PROVING TO BE EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK: alla tupoi ginomenoi (PMPMPN) tou poimniou: (1Co 11:11; Php 3:17; 4:9; 1Th 1:5,6; 2 Th3:9; 1Ti 4:12; Titus 2:7)
But - term of contrast - This conjunction should always cause us to pause and ponder ask what (why?, etc) is being contrasted?
As discussed in more detail below in the word study on tupos, shepherds and elders are to serve as models for "the sheep" to follow. They were not to drive God’s people, but to lead them by their example of mature Christian character. Sheep aren't driven. They are led (cp Jn 10:3, Ps 23:2). So as spiritual shepherds, they must lead as examples, not drive as dictators! And they can only lead as examples as they themselves follow Christ.
Athanasius spoke of Christ's example noting that...
"He became what we are that He might make us what He is."
William Arnot expanded on this statement writing that
"The gentleness of Christ is the comeliest ornament that a Christian can wear."
Henry Drummond wrote
"To become Christlike is the only thing in the whole world worth caring for, the thing before which every ambition of man is folly and all lower achievement vain."
D. W. Lambert adds that...
"The Christian goal is not the outward and literal imitation of Jesus, but the living out of the Christ life implanted within by the Holy Spirit."
Be examples - The verb "be" is in the present tense picturing this exemplary living as one's everyday practice, something only possible by surrendering and yielding to the enabling power of the Holy Spirit! And Who is our example? Peter has already explained that "Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps" (1Pe 2:21-note)