Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of computation, while not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, can be understood through the lens of wisdom, knowledge, and the use of numbers, which are prevalent throughout the Scriptures. The act of computing involves calculation, reasoning, and the application of knowledge, all of which are themes that resonate with biblical teachings.
Biblical Context of Numbers and CalculationNumbers play a significant role in the Bible, often symbolizing divine order and purpose. The book of Numbers itself is a testament to the importance of counting and organizing the people of Israel. In
Numbers 1:2 , God commands Moses, "Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one." This directive highlights the use of computation for organization and governance.
The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly in Proverbs, emphasizes the value of knowledge and understanding, which are foundational to the process of computation.
Proverbs 3:13 states, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding." The pursuit of wisdom can be seen as analogous to the pursuit of knowledge necessary for computation.
Divine Wisdom and Human UnderstandingThe Bible often contrasts human understanding with divine wisdom. In
Isaiah 55:8-9 , God declares, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." This passage underscores the limitations of human computation and understanding when compared to the infinite wisdom of God.
However, the Bible also encourages the use of human intellect and reasoning. In
Daniel 1:17 , it is noted that "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and wisdom." This suggests that God values and blesses the pursuit of knowledge and the ability to compute and reason.
The Use of Computation in StewardshipThe parable of the talents in
Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the importance of wise stewardship and the use of one's abilities, which can include computation and planning. The servants who wisely invest and multiply their talents are praised, while the one who fails to do so is rebuked. This parable highlights the biblical principle of using one's God-given abilities, including the ability to compute, for the glory of God and the benefit of His kingdom.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not explicitly discuss computation as understood in modern terms, the principles of wisdom, knowledge, and the use of numbers are deeply embedded in its teachings. The Scriptures encourage the pursuit of understanding and the wise use of one's abilities, reflecting the broader biblical theme of stewardship and the pursuit of divine wisdom.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To determine calculation; to reckon; to count.
2. (n.) Computation.
Greek
4817. sullogizomai -- to reckon, tocompute, ie to reason... to reckon, to
compute, ie to reason. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sullogizomai
Phonetic Spelling: (sool-log-id'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I reason
...5585. psephizo -- to count, calculate
... to count, calculate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: psephizo Phonetic Spelling:
(psay-fid'-zo) Short Definition: I reckon,compute Definition: I reckon...
4860. sumpsephizo -- to reckon together
... to reckon together. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sumpsephizo Phonetic Spelling:
(soom-psay-fid'-zo) Short Definition: Icompute, reckon up Definition...
4868. sunairo -- to take up together, ie settle accounts
...compute, settle accounts. From sun and airo; to make up together, ie (figuratively)
tocompute (an account) -- reckon, take. see GREEK sun. see GREEK airo....
Strong's Hebrew
3699. kasas -- tocompute... kasas. 3700 . to
compute. Transliteration: kasas Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-sas')
Short Definition: divide.
... root Definition to
compute NASB Word Usage divide (1).
...2803. chashab -- to think, account
... fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence
(from the mental effort) to think, regard, value,compute -- (make) account...
Library
The Ratio of the Single to the Double Comes from the Perfection of...
... We recognize also in this senary number a kind of figure of time, in that threefold
mode of division, by which wecompute one portion of time before the Law; a...
1 John ii. 18
... coming of the Lord. They were not able to survey andcompute the extent of
the intervening period yet to pass away. If in this respect...
Of the Absence of all Discrepancies in the Narratives Constructed...
... For the night connected with the coming Sabbath follows, and if wecompute it
along with its day, there will then be two days and two nights....
Marcus and Colarbasus.
... [8396] These men run through their O, Ps, Ch, Ph, U, T"through the whole alphabet,
indeed, up to A and B"andcompute ogdoads and decads....
The Allies of the Tempter.
... But it is a more solemn task tocompute the influences that proceed from us, and
to discover how, unknown to ourselves, we are swaying the circles of other...
section v.
... That common sign drawn from the revelation of Antichrist, is as obscure as any:
in our commoncompute He hath been come these many years: but for my own part...
Christian Morals. Part iii.
... the world older unto us. For the unknown part of time shortens the estimation,
if not thecompute of it. What hath escaped our knowledge...
Of Schoolmasters and their Difficulties.
... distinctions, all and singular; and further, to observe the solemnities and festivals
of the same, as of them by whose means theycompute their revenues....
Song 4. The Thief 8,7,8,7
... Have not Eve and Adam taught us Their sad profit tocompute, To what dismal
state they brought us When they stole forbidden fruit?...
Song 4. The Thief
... Turns to sorrow, shame, and pain. Have not Eve and Adam taught us. Their sad
profit tocompute,. To what dismal state they brought us....
Thesaurus
Compute (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To determine calculation; to reckon; to count.
2. (n.) Computation. Multi-Version Concordance
Compute (3 Occurrences).
...Calculate (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To ascertain or determine by mathematical processes, usually by the ordinary
rules of arithmetic; to reckon up; to estimate; tocompute....
Cast (640 Occurrences)
... 12. (vt) To dismiss; to discard; to cashier. 13. (vt) Tocompute; to reckon; to
calculate; as, to cast a horoscope. 14.... 23. (vi) To calculate; tocompute. 24....
Comrade (9 Occurrences)
Overcast (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To cast or cover over; hence, to cloud;
to darken. 2. (vt) Tocompute or rate too high. 3. (vt...
Filth (21 Occurrences)
... in a moral sense (Job 15:16 the King James Version; Psalm 14:3; Psalm 53:3); `iddim,
plural of `iddah, from `adhadh, "to number orcompute (monthly courses...
Figure (19 Occurrences)
... shape. 17. (n.) To embellish with design; to adorn with figures. 18. (n.)
To indicate by numerals; also, tocompute. 19. (n.) To...
Filthiness (16 Occurrences)
... in a moral sense (Job 15:16 the King James Version; Psalm 14:3; Psalm 53:3); `iddim,
plural of `iddah, from `adhadh, "to number orcompute (monthly courses...
Filthy (22 Occurrences)
... in a moral sense (Job 15:16 the King James Version; Psalm 14:3; Psalm 53:3); `iddim,
plural of `iddah, from `adhadh, "to number orcompute (monthly courses...
Think (601 Occurrences)
... Sometimes, for logizomai, "tocompute," "reckon" (Romans 2:3, etc.); sometimes,
for nomizo, literally referring to what attains the force of law (nomos), and...
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