Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "sums" often refers to the act of counting, calculating, or totaling numbers, particularly in relation to genealogies, censuses, and offerings. The concept of sums is integral to understanding various aspects of biblical history, law, and worship.
Genealogies and CensusesThe Bible contains numerous genealogies and censuses, where sums play a crucial role in recording the lineage and numbers of the people of Israel. In the Book of Numbers, God commands Moses to take a census of the entire Israelite community.
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 purpose of these censuses was not only to organize the people for military and administrative purposes but also to demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham regarding the multiplication of his descendants (
Genesis 15:5).
Offerings and TithesSums are also significant in the context of offerings and tithes. The Israelites were instructed to give a tenth of their produce and livestock as a tithe to the Lord.
Leviticus 27:30 states, "Thus any tithe of the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD." The act of calculating these tithes required careful summation to ensure that the correct portion was dedicated to God.
In the New Testament, Jesus observes the practice of giving in the temple. In
Mark 12:41-44 , He highlights the offering of a poor widow who gave two small coins, noting that her sum, though small, was greater in value than the larger sums given by the wealthy because she gave out of her poverty.
Symbolic and Prophetic NumbersSums also appear in symbolic and prophetic contexts. Numbers often carry significant meaning, such as the number seven, which represents completeness or perfection, and the number forty, which is associated with periods of testing or judgment. In Revelation, numbers are used symbolically to convey deeper spiritual truths. For example,
Revelation 13:18 states, "Here is a call 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."
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsThe use of sums in the Bible also carries moral and ethical implications. Accurate accounting and honesty in financial dealings are emphasized throughout Scripture.
Proverbs 11:1 declares, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This underscores the importance of integrity in all forms of calculation and measurement.
In summary, the concept of sums in the Bible encompasses a wide range of applications, from practical record-keeping to symbolic representation, each serving to reveal aspects of God's character, His covenant with His people, and His expectations for righteous living.
Greek
4183. polus -- much, many... 33), greater (4), greater numbers (1), greatly (5), hard (2), harshly (1), heartily
(1), high price (1), large (30), large numbers (1), large
sums (1), larger
...Library
The WriterSums up the Argument He had Commenced...
... Book III. Chapter V. The writersums up the argument he had commenced? The
writersums up the argument he had commenced, and confirms...
Petra
... Wonderfulsums are being worked just now concerning the progress of
Christianity in India.... There aresums less frequently stated....
On the Collections, V.
... And no one shall be disappointed in the produce of that harvesting, because it is
the heart's intentions rather than thesums expended that will be reckoned up...
Future Plymouth
... of all kinds, pastors' salaries, music, etc., are met from current income from pew
rents, leaving the church free to put additionalsums into permanent form....
The Surprise of the Righteous
... I started charitable institutions, I spoke at missionary meetings, I put my name
down for largesums in every subscription list, I built churches and chapels...
Christ's Summary of his Work
... In it Hesums up both the purpose of His life and the petitions of His prayer, and
presents the perfect fulfilment of the former as the ground on which He asks...
The Fourfold Treasure
... Then Paul goes on to write of our spiritual wealth, which hesums up under four
heads: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; but which indeed...
To J. Tarn, Esq.
... of the three other Gospels, having been forwarded to London, I snatch a moment from
my occupation to give an account of my late outgoings, thesums drawn for...
To J. Tarn, Esq. , Under-Treasurer of the British and Foreign...
... time of embarcation. I believe, previous to my departure, that I accounted
to you for thesums advanced for passports. I have had...
All Things have Been Created for the Service of Man the Deceits...
... Fittingly, therefore, shall his name possess the number six hundred and sixty-six,
since hesums up in his own person all the commixture of wickedness which...
Thesaurus
Sums (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sums (1 Occurrence). Mark 12:41 Having taken a
seat opposite the Treasury, He observed how the people were
...Balance (12 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) An equality between thesums total of the two sides of an account; as, to
bring one's accounts to a balance; -- also, the excess on either side; as...
Amount (66 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To rise or reach by an accumulation of particularsums or quantities;
to come (to) in the aggregate or whole; -- with to or unto....
Sun (1708 Occurrences)
Underneath (19 Occurrences)
... In these words Mosessums up the history of Israel and gives expression to
his final thought about life and time and all things visible....
Observed (84 Occurrences)
... 41 Having taken a seat opposite the Treasury, He observed how the people were dropping
money into the Treasury, and that many of the wealthy threw in largesums...
Onias
... the better of Onias and thirsting for revenge, Simon went to Apollonius, governor
of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, and informed him of the "untoldsums of money...
Threw (133 Occurrences)
... 41 Having taken a seat opposite the Treasury, He observed how the people were dropping
money into the Treasury, and that many of the wealthy threw in largesums...
Total (16 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The whole; the whole sum or amount; as, thesesums added make the grand
total of five millions. Multi-Version Concordance Total (16 Occurrences)....
Dropping (33 Occurrences)
... 41 Having taken a seat opposite the Treasury, He observed how the people were dropping
money into the Treasury, and that many of the wealthy threw in largesums...
Resources
What does Jesus want us to learn from what He said about the widow's mite? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about being a good student? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of “from glory to glory” in 2 Corinthians 3:18? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
