"to reckon by means of pebbles, compute by counters; hence genr. to compute, reckon, calculate, Lk. 14:28; Rev. 13:18*"
Definition and meaning
to reckon by means of pebbles, compute by counters; hence genr. to compute, reckon, calculate, Lk. 14:28; Rev. 13:18*
In the original Greek the word is written: ψηφίζω
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of psephizo (G5585) across the King James Bible.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
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Common questions
Strong's G5585 (psephizo) is a Greek word that means: to reckon by means of pebbles, compute by counters; hence genr. to compute, reckon, calculate, Lk. 14:28; Rev. 13:18* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word psephizo (G5585) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5585 is psephizo, a Greek word defined as: to reckon by means of pebbles, compute by counters; hence genr. to compute, reckon, calculate, Lk. 14:28; Rev. 13:18*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
psephizo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.