5585. pséphizó

Lexicon

pséphizó: To count, to calculate, to reckon

Original Word: ψηφίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: pséphizó
Pronunciation: psay-FID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (psay-fid'-zo)
Definition: To count, to calculate, to reckon
Meaning: I reckon, compute, calculate.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

to count up, calculate

From psephos; to use pebbles in enumeration, i.e. (generally) to compute -- count.

see GREEK psephos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pséphos
Definition
to count, calculate
NASB Translation
calculate (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5585: ψηφίζω

ψηφίζω; 1 aorist ἐψηφισα; (ψῆφος, which see); to count with pebbles, to compute, calculate, reckon: τήν δαπάνην, Luke 14:28; τόν ἀριθμόν, to explain by computing, Revelation 13:18. (Polybius, Plutarch, Palaeph., Anthol.; commonly and indeed chiefly in the middle in the Greek writings to give one's vote by casting a pebble into the urn; to decide by voting.) (Compare: συγψηφίζω, καταψηφίζω, συμψηφίζω.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek noun ψῆφος (psēphos), meaning "a small stone" or "pebble," which was used in ancient times for counting or casting votes.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ψηφίζω, similar concepts of counting or reckoning can be found in Hebrew words such as סָפַר (saphar, Strong's Hebrew 5608), which means "to count" or "to number," and חָשַׁב (chashab, Strong's Hebrew 2803), meaning "to think" or "to account." These Hebrew terms convey similar ideas of calculation and thoughtful consideration.

Usage: The verb ψηφίζω appears in the New Testament in contexts related to counting or calculating. It is used metaphorically to describe the act of making a decision or judgment.

Context: The Greek verb ψηφίζω is found in the New Testament in contexts that involve calculation or decision-making. In Luke 14:28, Jesus uses the term in a parable about counting the cost of building a tower: "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?" (BSB). Here, ψηφίζω is used to illustrate the importance of careful planning and consideration before undertaking a significant task.

The term also appears in Revelation 13:18, where it is used in the context of calculating the number of the beast: "This calls for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and that number is 666" (BSB). In this passage, ψηφίζω is associated with discernment and understanding, emphasizing the need for wisdom in interpreting prophetic symbols.

Historically, the use of pebbles or small stones for counting and voting was common in ancient Greek culture. This practice is reflected in the etymology of ψηφίζω, linking the act of calculation with decision-making processes, such as voting or rendering judgments.

Forms and Transliterations

ψηφιζει ψηφίζει ψηφισατω ψηφισάτω ψήφισμα psephisato psephisáto psēphisatō psēphisátō psephizei psephízei psēphizei psēphízei

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 14:28 V-PIA-3S
GRK: πρῶτον καθίσας ψηφίζει τὴν δαπάνην
NAS: sit down and calculate the cost
KJV: first, and counteth the cost,
INT: first having sat down counts the cost

Revelation 13:18 V-AMA-3S
GRK: ἔχων νοῦν ψηφισάτω τὸν ἀριθμὸν
NAS: understanding calculate the number
KJV: understanding count the number
INT: has understanding let him count the number

Strong's Greek 5585
2 Occurrences

ψηφισάτω — 1 Occ.
ψηφίζει — 1 Occ.