Counting, the process of determining the number of elements in a set, is a concept that appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It is often associated with order, organization, and the fulfillment of divine commands. In the biblical narrative, counting serves both practical and symbolic purposes, reflecting God's sovereignty and the importance of obedience to His instructions.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, counting is frequently associated with the census, a systematic counting of the people. One of the most notable instances is found in the Book of Numbers, which derives its name from the censuses recorded within it. God commanded Moses to take a census of the Israelite community to organize them for military and religious purposes. Numbers 1:2-3 states, "Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army."

The act of counting the people was not merely administrative; it was a demonstration of God's order and care for His chosen people. However, counting the people without divine instruction could lead to dire consequences, as seen in the account of King David's census. In 2 Samuel 24, David's decision to count the fighting men of Israel, driven by pride or lack of trust in God, resulted in a plague as divine punishment. This incident underscores the importance of aligning human actions with God's will.

Symbolic Significance

Counting also carries symbolic significance in the Scriptures. The concept of counting days, years, and jubilees is integral to the biblical calendar and the observance of holy days. Leviticus 23:15-16 instructs, "From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you are to count seven full weeks. You shall count fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD." This counting leads to the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, a time of thanksgiving and renewal.

The counting of the Omer, the period between Passover and Pentecost, is a time of spiritual reflection and preparation. It highlights the journey from liberation to revelation, from the Exodus to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, counting is less prominent but still present. Jesus uses counting in His parables to illustrate spiritual truths. In Luke 14:28 , Jesus says, "Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?" Here, counting is a metaphor for considering the cost of discipleship and the commitment required to follow Christ.

The Book of Revelation also employs counting in its apocalyptic imagery. The number of the beast, 666, is a symbolic count that has been the subject of much interpretation and speculation. Revelation 13:18 states, "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."

Theological Implications

Counting in the Bible often reflects themes of divine order, judgment, and redemption. It serves as a reminder of God's omniscience and the importance of aligning human actions with His divine plan. Whether in the context of a census, a parable, or apocalyptic prophecy, counting underscores the biblical principle that God is a God of order and purpose, and His people are called to live in accordance with His will.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Count.3049. logizomai -- to reckon, to consider
... in the sense of an account or reckoning) Definition to reckon, to consider NASB
Word Usage consider (6), considered (2), counted (1), counting (1), credit (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3049.htm - 8k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... 2 Thes 1:11: "To this end (glorification) – indeed each time we pray about () you
for the purpose () of our God counting you worthy of the call – even that ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

5250. huperpleonazo -- to abound exceedingly
... 5250 (from 5228 , "beyond" and 4121 , ", being great in ") -- properly, to make
(literally ", abundant"), beyond counting (what can be numbered). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5250.htm - 7k

Counting on Us.
... (Mark vi:30-34.) Counting on Us. ... And back comes that quiet wondrous voice of Jesus,
"Gabriel, I haven't made any other plans"I'm counting on them.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/counting on us.htm

Table Showing the Roman Method of Counting the Days of the Month.
... Supplementary Notes and Tables. Table showing the Roman Method of counting the Days
of the Month. (Taken from the Encyclopedia Britannica, article Calendar.) ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/table showing the roman method.htm

Counting the Cost.
... RENEWED MINISTRY IN PEREA COUNTING THE COST. Now there went with him great
multitudes: and he turned, and said unto them, "If any ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/counting the cost.htm

Our Status.
... this point more largely, because the Ethicals and the Mystics have got our poor
people so bitterly out of the habit of reckoning with this counting of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxi our status.htm

God's Will About the Future
... Following the line of the text, and keeping as close to it as we can, we
will notice, first, that counting on the future is folly. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/gods will about the future.htm

Philippians ii. 8-May
... Again, consider what he says after the example, "In lowliness of mind,
each counting other better than themselves." (Philip. ii.3 ...
/.../homily vi philippians ii 8-may.htm

In what Manner in the Confession of the Three Hypostases we ...
... But these men, who bring ruin on themselves from every possible source, have
turned even the capacity for counting against the faith. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xviii in what manner.htm

The Significance of Enoch's Translation.
... Translation. For that line also of which Seth is the father has the name
"Dedication" in the seventh generation from Adam, counting Adam. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 19 the significance of enochs.htm

Of the Falseness of the History which Allots Many Thousand Years ...
... of Assyria; while in the Greek history only 1300 years are reckoned from the reign
of Bel himself, whom both Greek and Egyptian agree in counting the first ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 10 of the falseness of.htm

Practical Observations.
... 7. Outward, formal worship, counting beads, genuflections, waving incense, pilgrimages,
etc., are not worship, but an insult to God. He is not matter. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 7.htm

Counting (11 Occurrences)
...Counting (11 Occurrences). ... Genesis 41:49 Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the
sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number. (WEB). ...
/c/counting.htm - 9k

Ten (234 Occurrences)
... This mode of counting was current with many of the church Fathers, and is now
in use in the Greek Catholic church and with most Protestants. ...
/t/ten.htm - 60k

Esteem (25 Occurrences)
... lightly esteemed"). In the New Testament, hegeomai, "to lead out," is used
in the sense of "counting honorable," etc. (Philippians ...
/e/esteem.htm - 17k

Count (85 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To plead orally; to argue a matter in court; to recite a count. 8. (n.)
The act of numbering; reckoning; also, the number ascertained by counting. ...
/c/count.htm - 33k

Commandments (181 Occurrences)
... This mode of counting was current with many of the church Fathers, and is now
in use in the Greek Catholic church and with most Protestants. ...
/c/commandments.htm - 65k

Weighing (39 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Isaiah 33:18 Thy heart doth meditate terror, Where 'is' he who is counting?
Where 'is' he who is weighing? Where 'is' he who is counting the towers? ...
/w/weighing.htm - 17k

Countless (11 Occurrences)

/c/countless.htm - 9k

Chronicles (45 Occurrences)
... the Old Testament as 22 or 24 books, and as two books in the count which regards
the whole number of books as 39; and that both ways of counting have been in ...
/c/chronicles.htm - 60k

Yahweh (6653 Occurrences)
... 7:22 1 Thessalonians 5:4 2 Timothy 4:8), and again it is called "the day" without
any qualification whatever, as if it were the only day worth counting in all ...
/y/yahweh.htm - 39k

Quantities (13 Occurrences)
... Quantities (13 Occurrences). Genesis 41:49 Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the
sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number. ...
/q/quantities.htm - 10k

Is there an error in the counting of the 14 generations in Matthew chapter 1? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to “count the cost” (Luke 14:28)? | GotQuestions.org

Is there any validity to the Bible codes? | GotQuestions.org

Counting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus