The conviction that the *Jews are the Chosen People of *God is traditionally based on God’s promise to the patriarch *Abraham (see *Genesis 15). The covenantal relationship was renewed on Mount *Sinai (*Exodus 20) although it was made clear that...

Various groups have considered themselves chosen by God for some purpose such as to act as God's agent on earth. This status may be viewed as a self-imposed higher standard to fulfill God's expectation. Specifically, in the Old Testament (Christian...