Strong's Lexicon
lagchanó: to obtain by lot, to receive, to be allotted
Original Word:λαγχάνω
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:lagchanó
Pronunciation:lahg-KHAN-oh
Phonetic Spelling:(lang-khan'-o)
Definition:to obtain by lot, to receive, to be allotted
Meaning:(a) I obtain (receive) by lot, my lot (turn) is, (b) I draw lots.
Word Origin:A primary verb
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries:The concept of casting lots is paralleled in the Hebrew Bible with words like "גּוֹרָל" (goral), which also refers to the casting of lots or the portion received by lot (e.g., Leviticus 16:8, Proverbs 16:33).
Usage:The Greek verb "lagchanó" primarily means to obtain or receive something by the casting of lots. In the context of the New Testament, it often refers to the divine or providential allocation of roles, responsibilities, or inheritances. The term implies a sense of receiving something not by personal merit or effort, but by a process that is beyond human control, often seen as guided by God's will.
Cultural and Historical Background:In ancient cultures, casting lots was a common practice used to make decisions or determine outcomes believed to be influenced by divine will. This method was employed in various contexts, including the allocation of land, the selection of individuals for specific roles, and the distribution of inheritances. The practice is rooted in the belief that the outcome of casting lots was determined by a higher power, thus ensuring fairness and divine guidance.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom a prim. root lach-
Definitionto obtain by lot
NASB Translationcast lots (1), chosen by lot (1), received (2).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2975: λαγχάνωλαγχάνω: 2 aorist
ἔλαχον;
1.to obtain by lot (fromHomer down): with the genitive of the thing,Luke 1:9 (cf.Buttmann, 269 (231);Winers Grammar, 319 (299));to receive by divine allotment, obtain:τί,Acts 1:17;2 Peter 1:1; on the construction of this verb with the genitive and accusative of the thing, seeMatthiae, § 328;Winers Grammar, 200 (188); (cf.Buttmann, § 132, 8).
2.to cast lots, determine by lot (Isocrates, p. 144 b.;Diodorus 4, 63 (cf. ps.-Demosthenes in middle, p. 510, 26)):περίτίνος,John 19:24.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
his lot be, cast lots, obtain.A prolonged form of a primary verb, which is only used as an alternate in certain tenses; to lot, i.e. Determine (by implication, receive) especially by lot -- his lot be, cast lots, obtain.
Forms and Transliterations
ελαχε έλαχε ἔλαχε ελαχεν έλαχεν ἔλαχεν λαχούσι λαχουσιν λαχοῦσιν λαχωμεν λάχωμεν elache élache elachen élachen lachomen lachōmen láchomen láchōmen lachousin lachoûsinLinks
Interlinear Greek •Interlinear Hebrew •Strong's Numbers •Englishman's Greek Concordance •Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •Parallel Texts
