[Greek] ψηφίζω (psēphizō), [Latin] calculare: to vote, to count, to compute, to calculate, to count with pebbles, to figure out: Lk.14:28, Rev.13:18
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to count or calculate with a stone, to reach a verdict (decision), and to condemn.
Psephos (small stones):
- These stones were used in board games, counting, voting, astrology, and magic.
- A stone was synonymous with a voice (and opinion).
- The process of voting often occurred by placing a stone in an urn.
- Making a decision or having the resolve occurs in many situations and contexts.
- Political and government leaders vote (make decrees) with their authority.
- Ostracism: The ancient Greeks sometimes voted whether or not to expel or banish a person from Athens. They voted with a broken pottery shard (ostrakon).
Xenophon’s Hellenica 1.7.9: “Cast their vote (stone) into the urn.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 2.36.4: “Calculate from left to right.”
Aeschines’ On the Embassy 2.84: “Put the motion to a vote.”
Lysias’ Against Eratosthenes 12.44: “What measures be passed by their votes.”
Antiphon’s Against the Stepmother for Poisoning 1.12: “To find them guilty.”
Ostracism: In a related matter with voting, the ancient Greeks sometimes voted whether or not to expel or banish a person from Athens. The Greeks voted with a broken pottery shard (ostrakon). Those persons, who were forced to leave, were ostracized.
Old Testament: This term means to reckon or to count.
New Testament: This term, found only twice, means to calculate and to figure out.
Scripture
Lk.14:28: “Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?”
- Jesus begins with discussing what it means to be a disciple.
- This requires removing attachments to family and possessions which stand in the way for a total commitment for being a disciple.
- This acceptance demands readiness to accept persecution and suffering.
- Like calculating the cost of constructing a tower, this decision requires a realistic assessment of the hardships and costs for such a commitment.
Rev.13:18: “Wisdom is needed here; one who understands can calculate the number of the beast, for it is a number that stands for a person. His number is 666.” (This number represents man, imperfection, incompleteness, and evil in their most superlative form of imperfection.)
Conclusion:
Calculate, calculation
It was interesting to discover that the ancient Greeks used stones (pebbles) in settling and deciding important matters. Not surprisingly, stones were also used in board games. Aside from stones, I found many examples pertaining to making decisions, condemning prisoners, and implementing decrees.
This term is used less frequently in the Old Testament. However, the Hellenistic philosophers Philo and Josephus make frequent references to resolving and decreeing.
Jesus essentially lays out the necessary qualities needed in order to become a disciple. For some, these are high costs (renouncing possessions, leaving family ties, and experiencing hardship and persecution). It is not surprising that Satan is associated with the number 666. It is very interesting to note that in Jn.6:66, many disciples walked away when Jesus claimed that one must eat His Body and drink His Blood. In a sense, you could say that the devil made the disciples walk away. (The devil made them do it?)
WARNING—USELESS WORDS ALERT– (These words certainly get my vote for this distinction!)
Psephology: the statistical study of elections and trends in voting.
Psephologist: one who studies elections and electoral trends. (Frank Luntz, Karl Rowe, Larry Sabato, Nate Silver )
Ostrakon: pottery shard used in voting.
Update: Many of us are anxiously awaiting the findings from the forensic audit in Maricopa County Arizona. It is also very curious that we continue to learn more and more information (articles) of test ballots, lawsuits, ballot harvesting, video evidence of questionable of election officials. flash drives, modems, lack of chain of custody, whistleblowers, lost ballots, etc. in “the most secure election” in American history. It just keeps happening. We are always waiting for the next story of something concerning about the election. You can always count on it!