Topical Encyclopedia
Enumeration in the biblical context refers to the act of counting or numbering people, objects, or events. This practice is evident throughout the Scriptures and serves various purposes, including organization, assessment, and fulfillment of divine commands. Enumeration is often associated with God's sovereignty, human responsibility, and the unfolding of His divine plan.
Old Testament Instances1.
Census of the Israelites: One of the most notable instances of enumeration is the census commanded by God in the Book of Numbers. "Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one" (
Numbers 1:2). This census was crucial for organizing the tribes for military and religious purposes as they journeyed through the wilderness.
2.
David's Census: King David's decision to conduct a census of Israel, as recorded in
2 Samuel 24 and
1 Chronicles 21, is a significant event. Despite its practical purpose, it was seen as an act of pride and self-reliance, leading to divine displeasure. "So the king said to Joab, the commander of his army, 'Go through all the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are'" (
2 Samuel 24:2). This act resulted in a severe plague as a consequence of David's sin.
3.
Genealogies: Enumeration is also evident in the genealogical records found in books like Genesis, Chronicles, and Ezra. These records serve to establish lineage, fulfill prophecies, and demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant people. For example, the genealogies in
Genesis 5 and 11 trace the lineage from Adam to Noah and from Shem to Abraham, respectively.
New Testament Instances1.
The Feeding of the Multitudes: In the New Testament, enumeration is seen in the miracles of Jesus, such as the feeding of the 5,000. "And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children" (
Matthew 14:21). The specific counting of those present highlights the magnitude of the miracle and the sufficiency of Christ's provision.
2.
The 144,000: In the Book of Revelation, enumeration is used symbolically to represent the redeemed. "Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel" (
Revelation 7:4). This number signifies completeness and the fulfillment of God's promise to preserve a remnant.
Theological SignificanceEnumeration in the Bible underscores God's orderliness and attention to detail. It reflects His omniscience and the importance of each individual within His creation. The act of numbering can also serve as a reminder of human limitations and the need for reliance on divine guidance. While enumeration can be a tool for organization and stewardship, it also carries the potential for pride and self-reliance, as seen in David's census. Thus, it serves as a reminder of the balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of enumerating, making separate mention, or recounting.
2. (n.) A detailed account, in which each thing is specially noticed.
3. (n.) A recapitulation, in the peroration, of the heads of an argument.
Greek
1534. eita -- then, next, therefore (an adv. denoting sequence)... Of uncertain affinity; a particle of succession (in time or logical
enumeration),
then, moreover -- after that(-ward), furthermore, then. See also epeita.
...5585. psephizo -- to count, calculate
... to count up, calculate. From psephos; to use pebbles inenumeration, ie (generally)
to compute -- count. see GREEK psephos. (psephizei) -- 1 Occurrence....
Strong's Hebrew
5610. sephar --enumeration, census... 5609, 5610. sephar. 5611 .
enumeration, census. Transliteration: sephar
Phonetic Spelling: (sef-awr') Short Definition: census.
...4510. minyan -- a number
... Word Origin (Aramaic) from mena Definition a number NASB Word Usage number (1).
number. (Aramaic) from mna';enumeration -- number. see HEBREW mna'....
1538. gulgoleth -- a skull, head, poll (of persons)
... By reduplication from galal; a skull (as round); by implication, a head (inenumeration
of persons) -- head, every man, poll, skull. see HEBREW galal....
4511. Minnith -- a place in Ammonite territory
... Minnith. From the same as men;enumeration; Minnith, a place East of the Jordan --
Minnith. see HEBREW men. 4510, 4511. Minnith. 4512 . Strong's Numbers.
4557. mispar -- number, tally
... Origin from the same as sepher Definition number, tally NASB Word Usage account
(1), count (1), count* (1), counted (1), countless* (1),enumeration (1), few (7...
4559. Mispereth -- an Israelite
... NASB Word Usage Mispereth (1). Mispereth. Feminine of malkuw;enumeration; Mispereth,
an Israelite -- Mispereth. Compare meltachah. see HEBREW malkuw....
2714. cheqer -- a searching, a thing (to be) searched out
... finding out, number, unsearchable,. From chaqar; examination,enumeration, deliberation
-- finding out, number, (un-)search(-able, -ed, out, -ing)....
4373. miksah -- a computation
... number, worth. Feminine of mekec; anenumeration; by implication, a valuation --
number, worth. see HEBREW mekec. 4372, 4373. miksah. 4374 . Strong's Numbers
Library
The Glorifying of theEnumeration of his Attributes.
... The glorifying of theenumeration of His attributes. 54.... And I understand glory to
mean nothing else than theenumeration of the wonders which are His own....
Enumeration Ordained by Apostles.
... into Christ. Sec. IV."Enumeration Ordained by Apostles. Who Were They that
the Holy Apostles Sent and Ordained? XLVI. Now concerning...
AnEnumeration of the High Priests.
... BOOK XX. Containing The Interval Of Twenty-Two Years. From Fadus The Procurator
To Florus. CHAPTER 10. AnEnumeration Of The High Priests....
When, to hisEnumeration of those to whom He Would Send Us...
... Chapter LV. When, to hisenumeration of those to whom he would send us?
When, to hisenumeration of those to whom he would send...
Enumeration of the Illustrious Men in the Church who in their...
... BIBLION. Chapter XXIX.Enumeration of the illustrious men in the Church
who in their writings have used the word "with.". 71. In...
Abbot Serapion'sEnumeration of Eight Principal Faults.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter II. Abbot Serapion'senumeration
of eight principal faults. There are eight principal...
A Statement of the Reason Why theEnumeration of the Ancestors of...
... Chapter I."A Statement of the Reason Why theEnumeration of the Ancestors of Christ
is Carried Down to Joseph, While Christ Was Not Born of that Man's Seed...
Introductory to Texts from the Gospels on the Incarnation....
... Chapter II. Chapter XXVI."Introductory to Texts from the Gospels on the Incarnation.
Enumeration of texts still to be explained. Arians compared to the Jews....
Appendix (D). Some Account of victor of Antioch's Commentary on S....
... APPENDIX (D). Some account of VICTOR OF ANTIOCH'S Commentary on S. Mark's Gospel;
together with anenumeration of MSS. which contain Victor's Work....
Article vi: of Confession and Satisfaction.
... But in reference to theenumeration of offenses in confession, we have said
above that we hold that it is not necessary by divine right....
Thesaurus
Enumeration (1 Occurrence)... 3. (n.) A recapitulation, in the peroration, of the heads of an argument.
Multi-Version Concordance
Enumeration (1 Occurrence). 1
...Hittites (39 Occurrences)
... by Israel in Palestine. I. OLD TESTAMENT NOTICES 1.Enumeration of Races
2. Individuals 3. Later Mention II. HISTORY 1. Sources...
Reckon (34 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To conclude, as by anenumeration and balancing of chances; hence, to think;
to suppose; -- followed by an objective clause; as, I reckon he won't try...
Envelop (1 Occurrence)
I-iii
... Ev., VIII, 6). In thisenumeration of Josephus, it will be seen that the Jewish
sacred books-39 in our Bible-are reckoned as 22 (after the number of letters in...
Nations (683 Occurrences)
... This enabled the compiler to continue theenumeration of Shem's descendants in Genesis
11:12 immediately after the verses dealing with the building of the...
Introduction (3 Occurrences)
... Ev., VIII, 6). In thisenumeration of Josephus, it will be seen that the Jewish
sacred books-39 in our Bible-are reckoned as 22 (after the number of letters in...
Table (125 Occurrences)
... This enabled the compiler to continue theenumeration of Shem's descendants in Genesis
11:12 immediately after the verses dealing with the building of the...
Knees (47 Occurrences)
... In Deuteronomy 28:27 in theenumeration of plagues mention is made of the "boil
of Egypt," and some commentators have explained this as "bubonic plague." There...
Nostrils (22 Occurrences)
... In one passage the meaning is not quite clear, namely, in theenumeration of blemishes
which disable a "son of Aaron" from the execution of the priest's office...
Resources
What are the 613 commandments in the Old Testament Law? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Haggadah / Aggadah? | GotQuestions.orgEnumeration: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
