The Elect The word translated “elect” simply means “chosen.” Throughout the Bible chosen is the intimate term most often used to speak of those whom God loves. To grasp the relational intimacy behind the term, consider the exalted picture Ezekiel paints when speaking of God’s electing choice of Israel: “And as for your birth, on the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to cleanse you, nor rubbed with salt, nor wrapped in swaddling cloths. No eye pitied you, to do