Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "survey" can refer to the act of examining, measuring, or assessing land, people, or situations. This concept is seen throughout Scripture, where God, leaders, and individuals engage in various forms of surveying to fulfill divine purposes, establish boundaries, or gain understanding.
Surveying the LandOne of the most prominent examples of surveying in the Bible is the exploration of the Promised Land. In
Numbers 13, Moses sends twelve spies to survey Canaan. The purpose of this survey was to assess the land's fertility, the strength of its inhabitants, and the fortifications of its cities.
Numbers 13:17-18 states, "When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, 'Go up through the Negev and into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many.'"
This act of surveying was crucial for the Israelites as it provided them with necessary information to strategize their conquest. However, the report brought back by the spies led to a crisis of faith among the Israelites, as ten of the spies focused on the challenges rather than God's promises (
Numbers 13:31-33).
Divine SurveyingGod Himself is depicted as a surveyor in several passages, where He examines the hearts and actions of individuals and nations. In
2 Chronicles 16:9 , it is written, "For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him." This divine surveying underscores God's omniscience and His active involvement in the affairs of humanity.
Similarly, in the prophetic literature, God surveys the moral and spiritual state of His people. In
Ezekiel 22:30 , God says, "I searched for a man among them to repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I should not destroy it, but I found no one." This highlights God's desire for righteousness and His willingness to spare judgment if He finds faithfulness.
Surveying for ConstructionSurveying also plays a role in the construction of significant biblical structures. In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah surveys the walls of Jerusalem before initiating their reconstruction.
Nehemiah 2:13 records, "So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpents and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire." This careful assessment was essential for planning the rebuilding efforts and rallying the people to the task.
Spiritual SurveyingThe concept of surveying extends metaphorically to the spiritual realm, where believers are encouraged to examine their own lives. In
2 Corinthians 13:5 , Paul exhorts the Corinthians, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can't you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?" This self-surveying is vital for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will.
ConclusionThe theme of surveying in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions. Whether it is the exploration of land, the divine examination of hearts, or the introspective assessment of one's faith, surveying serves as a tool for understanding, preparation, and alignment with God's purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook; as, to stand on a hill, and survey the surrounding country.
2. (v. t.) To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
3. (v. t.) To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of; as, to survey a building in order to determine its value and exposure to loss by fire.
4. (v. t.) To determine the form, extent, position, etc., of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurements, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry; as, to survey land or a coast.
5. (v. t.) To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same.
6. (n.) The act of surveying; a general view, as from above.
7. (n.) A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of all the parts or particulars of a thing, with a design to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality; as, a survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings.
8. (n.) The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of, as any part of the earth's surface, whether land or water; also, a measured plan and description of any portion of country, or of a road or line through it.
Greek
4017. periblepo -- to look around... to look around. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: periblepo Phonetic Spelling:
(per-ee-blep'-o) Short Definition: I look around on,
survey Definition: I
...Strong's Hebrew
7789. shur -- to behold, regard... A primitive root (identical with shuwr through the idea of going round for inspection);
to spy out, ie (generally)
survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care
...5674a. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on
... its course (1), send through (1), sent (2), sent across (2), sound (2), spare (2),
spread beyond (1), standard (1), stretched across (1),survey (1), swept (3...
Library
GeneralSurvey.
... MODERN PROTESTANT CREEDS. 100. GeneralSurvey. With the Westminster standards the
creed-making period of the Reformed Churches was brought to a close....
GeneralSurvey of the Ministry 106 the Attempt to Arrange an...
... Part II. The Ministry I GeneralSurvey of the Ministry 106.... The vivid and familiar
words of Mark (i. 14). I GeneralSurvey of the Ministry 106....
When ISurvey the Wondrous Cross
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week 154. When Isurvey the wondrous cross. LM... Isaac
Watts, 1707. When Isurvey the wondrous cross. On which the Prince of glory died...
We Close OurSurvey of Christ's Sayings in Regard to his Relations...
... We close oursurvey of Christ's sayings in regard to his relations to the Old Testament
with a remark directly suggested by it, from which the weightiest...
asurvey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet
... CHAP. VI. VII. We shall now, in conclusion, give asurvey of the third and
closing discourse of the prophet. After an introduction...
The King's Highway Opened and Cleared
... We are told by the rabbis that once in the year, or oftener, the magistrates of
the district were accustomed tosurvey the high roads which led to these cities...
Introduction
... A sufficiently exhaustivesurvey of such character may be made under the rubrics
of: 1. Inherited characteristics.2. Physical characteristics.3. Mental...
The Advanced Christian Reminded of the Mercies of God, and...
... our bosom? Come, my Christian friend and brother, come andsurvey with
me the goodness of our heavenly Fattier. And oh! that he...
The Book of Life
... It is impossible for us in this series of studies to attempt any detailedsurvey
of the revealing movement of which our Scriptures are the outcome....
Religion a Weariness to the Natural Man.
... Let us take the state of the case as it is found, andsurvey it dispassionately,
as even an unbeliever mightsurvey it, without at the moment considering...
Thesaurus
Survey (6 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place;
to overlook; as, to stand on a hill, and
survey the surrounding country.
...View (86 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of seeing or beholding; sight;
look;survey; examination by the eye; inspection. 2. (n...
Lots (26 Occurrences)
... Joshua 18:6 You shallsurvey the land into seven parts, and bring the description
here to me; and I will cast lots for you here before Yahweh our God....
Map (1 Occurrence)
... historical map. 3. (vt) To represent by a map; -- often with out; as, to
survey and map, or map out, a county. Hence, figuratively...
Genesis
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GENESIS. jen'-e-sis: I. GENERAL DATA 1. The Name
2.Survey of Contents 3. Connection with Succeeding Books II....
Commentaries
... It is manifestly a very slightsurvey that can be taken in a brief article of the
work of commenting, and of the literature to which it has given rise; the...
Instructed (80 Occurrences)
... Joshua 18:8 The men arose and went. Joshua commanded those who went tosurvey the
land, saying, "Go walk through the land,survey it, and come again to me....
Shiloh (34 Occurrences)
... Joshua 18:8 The men arose and went. Joshua commanded those who went tosurvey the
land, saying, "Go walk through the land,survey it, and come again to me....
Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)
... On his arrival he set himself tosurvey the city, and to form a plan for its
restoration; a plan which he carried out with great skill and energy, so that the...
Logia
... or rather parts of lines, but on only one page or column, the Christian text being
written on the back of a roll the recto of which contained asurvey list....
Resources
New Testament Survey | GotQuestions.orgOld Testament Survey | GotQuestions.orgSpiritual gifts survey - what are the different spiritual gifts the Bible mentions? | GotQuestions.orgSurvey: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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