A surveyor in biblical times was an individual responsible for measuring and mapping out land, a task that was crucial for various purposes such as inheritance, construction, and agriculture. The role of a surveyor is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but the activities associated with surveying are implied in several passages.

Biblical Context

The concept of land measurement and boundary setting is evident in the Old Testament, where land inheritance and division were significant aspects of Israelite society. In the Book of Joshua, the land of Canaan is divided among the tribes of Israel, a task that would have required careful measurement and delineation of boundaries. Joshua 18:4-6 describes the process: "Appoint three men from each tribe. I will send them out to survey the land and write a description of it according to the inheritance of each. Then they are to return to me."

The importance of accurate land measurement is further underscored in Deuteronomy 19:14 , which warns against moving boundary markers: "You must not move your neighbor’s boundary marker, set up by your ancestors, in the inheritance you will receive in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess." This commandment highlights the ethical and legal significance of respecting established boundaries, a task that would have involved the skills of a surveyor.

Tools and Techniques

While the Bible does not provide specific details about the tools and techniques used by surveyors in ancient times, historical and archaeological evidence suggests that simple tools such as ropes, rods, and measuring lines were employed. Ezekiel 40:3 mentions a "measuring rod" in the context of a vision of the new temple: "He brought me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. And he was standing in the gateway."

Symbolic and Spiritual Significance

The act of surveying and measuring land also carries symbolic and spiritual significance in the Bible. In prophetic literature, measuring often symbolizes divine judgment or the establishment of God's order. For instance, in Zechariah 2:1-2 , a man with a measuring line is seen: "Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. 'Where are you going?' I asked. 'To measure Jerusalem,' he replied, 'and to determine its width and length.'"

Similarly, in Revelation 11:1 , John is given a measuring rod and instructed to measure the temple of God: "Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, 'Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.'"

Conclusion

The role of a surveyor, while not explicitly detailed in the Bible, is integral to the understanding of land division, boundary setting, and the symbolic acts of measuring in biblical narratives. The principles of fairness, justice, and divine order associated with surveying reflect broader biblical themes that underscore the importance of integrity and respect for God's creation.1. (n.) One who surveys or measures land; one who practices the art of surveying.

2. (n.) One placed to superintend others; an overseer; an inspector.

3. (n.) One who views and examines for the purpose of ascertaining the condition, quantity, or quality of anything; as, a surveyor of highways, ordnance, etc.

4. (n.) An officer who ascertains the contents of casks, and the quantity of liquors subject to duty; a gauger.

5. (n.) In the United States, an officer whose duties include the various measures to be taken for ascertaining the quantity, condition, and value of merchandise brought into a port.

Four Miracles
... and the rapid, " lingering at times to apprehend the marvelous force of a solitary
verse, and again sweeping over a broad expanse, like a surveyor, who, to ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 39 5 15 5 31 5 41.htm

George Keith.
... George Keith. A Quaker, born at Aberdeen, and was well educated. He came,
in 1682, to East Jersey, where he was surveyor-general. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/george keith.htm

Edmeston
... He was educated as an architect and surveyor, and practiced these callings until
his death, January 7, 1867. He was a member of the Church of England. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/nutter/hymn writers of the church/edmeston.htm

Letter Xcviii. To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata.
... They gave me a casual invitation by the hands of our reverend brother Hellenius,
the surveyor of customs at Nazianzus, but they never took the trouble to send ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xcviii to eusebius bishop.htm

Footnotes:
... the collection itself (now at Kew), which was made by that excellent forester"if
he will allow me to name him" Sylvester Devenish, Esquire, Crown Surveyor. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/footnotes .htm

Addition to Acts of Philip.
... Thou who seest us before we call, who knowest our thoughts, the All-surveyor [2207]
of all, who sends forth from Himself unnumbered compassions; let the abyss ...
/.../unknown/the acts of philip/addition to acts of philip.htm

The Creation of Moving Creatures.
... No surveyor has ever distributed to them their habitations, nor enclosed them in
walls, nor assigned limits to them; each kind has been naturally assigned its ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily vii the creation of.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1824 to the ...
... Mr. Jones, Peter's father, had been the king's surveyor, and his occupation leading
him much among the Indians, during the days of his vanity he formed an ...
/.../chapter 8 from the close.htm

Old and New Terminology.
... Wherefore there may be persons ignorant of these stages, which are as indispensable
as milestones to the surveyor; but they may never be made to oppress the ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xix old and new terminology.htm

Sermon at the Faribault Celebration of the Centennial of the ...
... At sixteen he was county surveyor, the support of his widowed mother; at nineteen
he was military inspector, with the rank of major; at twenty the governor of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/ii sermon at the faribault.htm

Surveyor (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) One who views and examines for the purpose of ascertaining the condition,
quantity, or quality of anything; as, a surveyor of highways, ordnance, etc. ...
/s/surveyor.htm - 7k

Local (5 Occurrences)
... them. (See NIV). Luke 19:2 There was a man there called Zacchaeus, who was
the local surveyor of taxes, and was wealthy. (WEY). Acts ...
/l/local.htm - 8k

Taxes (19 Occurrences)
... me. (BBE DBY). Luke 19:2 There was a man there called Zacchaeus, who was
the local surveyor of taxes, and was wealthy. (WEY). Luke ...
/t/taxes.htm - 14k

Blaze (9 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A white spot on the forehead of a horse. 5. (n.) A spot made on trees by
chipping off a piece of the bark, usually as a surveyor's mark. ...
/b/blaze.htm - 10k

Course (87 Occurrences)
... place to another, which is in a straight line, or on one direction; as, a ship in
a long voyage makes many courses; a course measured by a surveyor between two ...
/c/course.htm - 38k

Surveyeth (1 Occurrence)

/s/surveyeth.htm - 6k

Staff (91 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A long piece of wood; a stick; the long handle of an instrument or weapon;
a pole or stick, used for many purposes; as, a surveyor's staff; the staff ...
/s/staff.htm - 38k

Survival (1 Occurrence)

/s/survival.htm - 7k

Mark (182 Occurrences)
... write. 7. (n.) A fixed object serving for guidance, as of a ship, a traveler,
a surveyor, etc.; as, a seamark, a landmark. 8. (n ...
/m/mark.htm - 93k

Wealthy (22 Occurrences)
... God! (See NAS). Luke 19:2 There was a man there called Zacchaeus, who was
the local surveyor of taxes, and was wealthy. (WEY NIV). ...
/w/wealthy.htm - 17k

What are the meanings of the various visions in the book of Zechariah? | GotQuestions.org

Surveyor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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