25th of the 2nd month 2019/2020
Shalom all,
In the midst of the 6th week of our commanded count of 7 weeks to Shaḇuoth, I certainly do hope that you are diligently counting as you should. This season of counting, carries great insight for us, as we continue to grow in the knowledge of our Master and Elohim, and it is of utmost importance that we, as a Bride that is continually being set-apart, in the perfection and truth of the Word, are making sure that we do not neglect our need to be counting!
While I was meditating upon various passages that express the vivid imagery of counting, I decided to dig a little deeper into the Word and take a closer look at the various Hebrew and Greek words that are, at times, translated into English as ‘count’.
The ISR Scriptures 2009 edition has the English word ‘count’ being used 34 times, the word ‘counted’ being used 29 times, the word ‘counts’ being used 4 times and the word ‘counting’ used twice.
From these accounts, we take note of 8 Hebrew and 8 Greek words that these words are translated from and therefore I would like us to take a look at these Hebrew and Greek words, in order for us to expand out understanding of the importance of being able to be diligent in counting the cost of following our Master and do our utmost to make sure that we are counted worthy of His reign.
As we go through these various words, I want to make it clear that the order in which I am presenting them, is not done in any specific preferential order, but simply just going chronologically through the Word, where we find these English words and looking at the relevant Hebrew and Greek words that they are translated from.
Let us therefore take a look at the 8 Hebrew words that we see being used to translate as ‘count, counted, counts and counting’:
1 – מָנָה manah
The first root word that I would like us to take a look at is the Hebrew root word מָנָה manah – Strong’s H4487 – meaning, ‘weigh out, allot, enrol, appoint, number, prepare, set, tell’.
This word is used 28 times and is also translated as number, appointed, prepare. It is first used in the promise given to Aḇram in:
Berěshith/Genesis 13:16 “And I shall make your seed as the dust of the earth, so that, if a man could count the dust of the earth, then your seed also could be counted.”
We also see this root word being used in a Psalm that is titles as a prayer of Mosheh, which is Tehillah/Psalm 90, and in this beautiful prayer of Mosheh, we see this root word מָנָה manah – Strong’s H4487 being used, and is translated as ‘number’:
Tehillah/Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days, and let us bring the heart to wisdom.”
. Our need to prepare and count as a faithful Bride is critical, and in giving a great wake up call to those who are sleep, Sha’ul says in:
Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:15-16 “See then that you walk exactly, not as unwise, but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are wicked. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the desire of יהוה is.”
Only true ‘counters’ or those who are being taught to number their days, by the pure wisdom of Elohim, will understand what His desire is, and this counting to 50 confirms this for us, as we who walk in His wisdom by guarding His Sabbaths, Feasts and all His commands understand His desire – which is our set-apartness!
Those who cannot count are like the foolish maidens who lack pure oil and will be rejected as not being known by Elohim! Those who disregard the Sabbaths and Feast of יהוה clearly reveal that they cannot count, as they cannot count to 3, 7 or 50, and if they continue to refuse to be taught how to number their days, they will not be counted worthy to enter the reign of our Master and Elohim!
2 –סָפַר saphar
The second Hebrew root word that we also see being translated as ‘count’ is a word that we should all be familiar with, especially in terms of the numerous accounts that we have looked at the command to count to Shaḇuoth! This is the word that is used in our instruction to count to 50, which is the root word סָפַר saphar – Strong’s H5608 which means, ‘to score, mark as a tally, record, inscribe, recount, celebrate, commune’.
It is used 161 times, also being translated into English as, ‘tell, told, number, tell me, declared, numbering’.
The first time that this word is used, is in the promise given to Aḇraham, in:
Berěshith/Genesis 15:5 “And He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward the heavens, and count the stars if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So are your seed.””
While Aḇram was being told to physically look up and see if he was able to count the stars, we are able to see another powerful lesson, of how our eyes need to be lifted up and fixed upon the Prince and Perfecter of our belief, and be diligent in being able to ‘count the cost’ of following Him, in belief, as we guard His Word and keep his appointed Times, which the lights in the heavens were appointed for!
The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘look now toward’ is הַבֶּט־נָ֣א – habbeyth-na, which comes from the two root words:
1) נָבַט naḇat – Strong’s H5027 which is the primitive root verb that means, ‘to look, behold, gaze, observe, pay attention’ and it is written here in the ‘hifil’ verb tense which is the ‘causative’ tense, highlighting very clearly to us that יהוה is the One who ‘causes us to be’ and it is He who ‘causes us to see’ wonders from His Torah when we turn to Him and seek Him with our all by turning away from all that displeases Him!
2) נָא na – Strong’s H4994 which is a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, and help us understand the clear instruction that Aḇram was given, being told to ‘look NOW’
This root word נָבַט naḇat – Strong’s H5027 is used in:
Tehillah/Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes, that I might see Wonders from Your Torah.”
The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘open’ comes from the primitive root verb גָּלָה galah – Strong’s H1540 which means, ‘uncover, remove, to be uncovered, disclosed, exposed’ and the Hebrew word that is translated as ‘that I might see’ is וְאַבִּיטָה – veabbiytah which comes from the primitive root verb נָבַט naḇat – Strong’s H5027 which means, ‘to look, behold, gaze, observe, pay attention’ and it is also written here in the ‘hifil’ verb tense which is the ‘causative’ tense and highlights for us the clear cry of the psalmist here, as he earnestly seeks יהוה to open his eyes so that he may be caused to see the wonders that are contained in the Torah of יהוה.
Our ability to be caused to look up and see, happens when we turn to our Master, for then the veil is removed and the understanding of the revelation of who our Master is, helps us to be a people that are able to count and be counted worthy of serving Him in Spirit and Truth, as long as we stay in Him and keep our eyes lifted and fixed upon Him!
This root word סָפַר saphar is the denominative root verb of the word סֵפֶר sepher – Strong’s H5612 which means, ‘a missive, document, writing, book, scroll, letters’, and is used to describe the Book of the Torah!
As we consider the clear importance of this commanded ‘counting period to 50’ we recognise how this is a great season that teaches us to continually be a ‘counting people’ who daily ‘count the cost’ of following our Master and Redeemer, יהושע Messiah.
And to be faithful in being a ‘counting people’, we need to realise that we cannot do this without the Word of Elohim – as we are to meditate on His Torah day and night and allow this סֵפֶר sepher or Book of the Torah to lead us each and every day:
Yehoshua/Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you guard to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and act wisely.”
If we do not count, we cannot be cleansed! To count means to reflect on where we are and repent of our sin.
The root word סָפַר saphar – Strong’s H5608 is spelt, from right to left, with a סָ – samek, פַ – pey, and a ר – resh.
Now, when we see these symbols, as written in the ancient script, we get a wonderful picture of what true cleansing entails, when we ‘count’:
THE ANCIENT FORM OF WRITING THE WORD “COUNT” – SAPHAR:
Samek – סָ:
The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is a thorn and has the meanings of ‘pierce and sharp’ and can also carry the meaning of ‘a shield’, as thorn bushes were used by shepherds to build a wall to enclose their flock in the night against the attack of predators. Another meaning would be ‘to grab hold of’ as a thorn is a seed that clings to hair and clothing.
The Word of Elohim is sharper than a doubled edged sword and when we find that we do not grab hold of His Word and allow His Word to be our shield of faith, we may find ourselves being pierced through with sin and compromise! Our praise we have for our Master is that in Him we are upheld forever, for He is the shield of our Help, as He Himself took the crown of thorns upon His head, bearing our sin and shame that we may be found to be shielded in Him! It can also give a meaning of ‘turning’, for it is the thorn that turns us away from danger and to that which is secure.
Pey – פָּ:
This is the letter ‘pey’, which is pictured as , which is an ‘open mouth’ and carries the meaning of ‘speak and blow’, from the functions of the mouth, and can have the meaning of ‘scatter’ by blowing. It can also mean sword or beard as in things with edges, as well as a region in depicting a place with edges or boundaries. It also can represent that which has been spoken forth from the words of one’s mouth, as being established!
Resh – ר:
The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘the head of a man’ and carries the meaning of ‘top, beginning, first, chief’, as in being the top of the body or the head of a tribe and the one who rules; and also speaks of possession or inheritance that is decided by the chief. Our true life of praise unto יהוה, our Head, begins when we fear Him, for He is the beginning of our strength, and true separated praise entails a true fear of the One who is Chief over us!
When seeing the construct of this word for count in its ancient form we have a clear picture of how cleansing entails true repentance through being able to correctly count! This ancient grouping of letters can carry various meanings for us, and in terms of being a people who count, we realise that this can only be done when we:
GRAB HOLD OF THE WORD OF THE HEAD!
This picture, in terms of counting, teaches us that our shield and refuge is in our Head and Master, who teaches us through His Word to number our days and we recognise that When we bring our sins (pictured by the thorn) and confess them (open mouth) to יהושע our Messiah (head of a man); then He is the one who cleanses us!
Guys, this is a season and time to prepare – let us prepare as we celebrate and recognise the very work our Saviour has done, in becoming our Passover Lamb, our First Fruit and the very Living Bread, of which we are His body, and in Him we are one, able to be presented to Elohim as a pleasing offering!
3 – כָּסַס kasas
The third root word that I want to make mention of, is the root word כָּסַס kasas – Strong’s H3699 which means, ‘estimate, compute, divide, make your count’; and it is only used once in Scripture, being translated as ‘count’, in the following verse:
Shemoth/Exodus 12:4 “And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next to his house take it according to the number of the beings, according to each man’s need you make your count for the lamb.”
This verse forms part of the instructions that were given for the preparations for the Pěsaḥ Meal and helps us identify the clear shadow picture of these instructions, which cause us to look to our Master and Elohim and make a proper count of our lives, before His face, as we ready ourselves as a counted and set-apart wife of the Lamb!
4 – פָּקַד paqaḏ
The next Hebrew root word that we are able to see being translated as ‘counted’, is the root word פָּקַד paqaḏ – Strong’s H6485 which carries the meaning, ‘to attend to, call up, muster, appoint, number, call to account, charge’ and is used in:
Shemoth/Exodus 38:25-26 “And the silver from the ones counted of the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five sheqels, according to the sheqel of the set-apart place: 26 a beqa, half a sheqel for a head, according to the sheqel of the set-apart place, for everyone passing over to those counted, from twenty years old and above, for six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men.”
The ½ sheqel was given by all the men above 20 years of age who were numbered or registered, as per the instructions given to Mosheh by יהוה in Shemoth/Exodus 30:11-16.
This was a contribution required to be given as atonement for their lives so that no plague would come into the camp. So, this was a ‘tax’ and not of the freewill giving like the gold and bronze, and this as we know represents for us the price of redemption for all who cross over. The term ‘everyone passing over’ speaks of those who have ‘crossed over’.
The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘passing over’ is הָעֹבֵ֜ר – haoḇer which comes from the root verb עָבַר aḇar – Strong’s H5674 which means, ‘to pass over, pass through, cross over’.
It is from this root verb, that we get the term עִבְרִי Iḇri – Strong’s H5680 which means, ‘the one from beyond, the one who crossed over’ and is understood and translated into English as ‘Hebrew’. From this word we get the plural word ‘Iḇ’rim’ or Hebrews and this speaks of those who have passed over. Aḇraham was the first recorded ‘Hebrew’ in Berěshith/Genesis 14:13 as he passed over the Euphrates River into The Promised Land.
Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a people for a possession, that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light”
We have ‘passed over’ as by the Blood of the Passover Lamb we have been redeemed at a price and we now belong to our Saviour as we are no longer our own and so we give joyfully of our lives in service to our King as we are together built up in Him.
Anyone can become a ‘Hebrew’, or one who ‘crosses-over’ – if they will but repent and forsake their worldly ways and walk in His Torah, being immersed in יהושע Messiah, having ‘crossed over’ from death to life in Him and redeemed by His Blood, for He has paid the atonement price for our sins!
We too, who have ‘crossed over’, so to speak, have become ‘Hebrews’, as we have responded to the clear call of Elohim who called us out of darkness into His marvellous light; and by the Blood of Messiah we are grafted in to the Covenants of Promise with Yisra’ĕl, and therefore being ‘Yisra’ĕl’ by definition, we are in fact also called ‘Hebrews’, as our father Aḇraham was, and are a people now belonging to Messiah!
The total sheqels of silver was 301,775 as each one who was counted from 20 years and up was 603,550 and they would each give a ½ sheqel also known as a beqa. 1 sheqel or 2 beqas is approximately 11.4g or 0.4oz and would therefore make the weight of silver given at approximately 3440.23kg and based on today’s silver price per kg the value of silver that was contributed according to the command was just over R28 million (South African Rand) or just under $2 million (US Dollar)!!!
When we consider the price that our Master paid for our redemption, we would do well to make sure that we are counted worthy to enter His reign, by holding fast to His commands!
A derivative of this root word פָּקַד paqaḏ – Strong’s H6485, is the term פִּקּוּד piqqud – Strong’s H6490 which means, ‘precepts, commandments, statutes, regulations’, and another word that is derived from this root is the term פְקוּדֵי ‘pekuḏei’ and can carry the meaning of ‘appointments, musterings, expenses – that is the numbering of things, records, assignments’.
This word – פְקוּדֵי ‘pekuḏei’ is also used in Scripture with the meaning of ‘paying attention, observe with care and show a practical interest’.
And what we see from this is that it is of great importance that we pay attention to the Word and observe, with great care, and recognise, that ALL Scripture carries great and vital importance for us. This word, in relating to taking an inventory, also helps us realise that we all too must give an account to יהוה for all that He has entrusted to us.
Romiyim/Romans 14:12 “Each one of us, therefore, shall give account of himself to Elohim.”
The Parable of the talents from Mattithyahu/Matthew 25:13-30 is also a reminder to us of this fact.
5 – חָשַׁב ḥashaḇ
The next Hebrew root word I want us to look at, is חָשַׁב ḥashaḇ – Strong’s H2803 which means, ‘to plait, weave, plot, think, regard, value, compute’.
It is used 124 times in Scriptures and is also translated into English as, ‘intended, thought, the designer’.
This root word חָשַׁב ḥashaḇ – Strong’s H2803 is translated as ‘count’ in:
Wayyiqra/Leviticus 25:26-27 “And when the man has no one to redeem it, but he himself becomes able to redeem it, 27 then let him count the years since its sale, and return the remainder to the man to whom he sold it, that he shall return to his possession.”
In verse 27 we see the instruction for the one who has no one to redeem his possessions! He is able to redeem it himself and must calculate the years since its sale of his property and return the remainder to the man to whom he sold it in order to be able to return to his possession. Now while we have a redeemer who has bought us back and paid the full price, what we can learn from this practical instruction, that would have been literally carried out in the Land every Yoḇel, is that we see a wonderful picture of how we too have a responsibility, in our return, that has been ‘paid’ for by the Blood of Messiah.
That responsibility is simply this – we, as Yisra’ĕlites, have the obligation to fill our proper position in coming home; and in order to do that we must get rid of all the baggage that kept us away from home in the first place, so that we can rightfully reclaim what we have lost!
This is a wonderful picture of letting go to the things that we have been holding on to for so long in order to get back to the true roots of our faith in Messiah. The rich man who could not let go of his possessions is an example of how so many are unwilling to let go of the things that they think gives their life meaning and purpose and as a result are unable to ‘let go’ of worldly baggage, in order to follow our Kinsman Redeemer home!
6 – נָשָׂא nasa
The next Hebrew root word that we see being translated as ‘count up’, is the root verb נָשָׂא nasa – Strong’s H5375 which means ‘lift up, carry, take up, exalt, and accept’, and is used in:
Bemiḏbar/Numbers 31:25-26 “And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 26 “Count up the plunder that was taken, of man and of beast, you and El‛azar the priest and the heads of the fathers of the congregation.””
While this root word, which is used 653 times in Scripture, is not typically one that is translated as ‘count’, but rather is typically understood as that which is ‘lifted up and carried or taken up’, we are able to identify a valuable lesson from this root word, in terms of our need to be a counting people, as we take up the proper responsibility of walking in set-apartness!
Tehillah/Psalm 121:1 “I lift up my eyes to the hills; where does my help come from?”
Tehillah/Psalm 123:1 “I shall lift up my eyes unto You who dwell in the heavens.”
In both of these Psalms we see the psalmist making it abundantly clear where and who His eyes were being fixed upon, and take note that the root word נָשָׂא nasa – Strong’s H5375 is translated as ‘lift up’!
This verb נָשָׂא nasa – Strong’s H5375, we also see being used, in describing Dawiḏ’s ability of lifting up his being to יהוה:
Tehillah/Psalm 25:1 “A psalm of Dawiḏ. To You, O יהוה, I lift up my being.”
The Hebrew word translated as ‘being’ is נֶפֶשׁ nephesh – Strong’s H5315 which is ‘a soul, a living being, the inner being of a man’.
The clear image we are given here is that Dawiḏ lifted up his whole being unto Elohim, revealing that he was intentionally turning his thoughts, emotions, desires, cares, anxieties, doubts and fears over to יהוה, by ‘looking up’ and fixing his eyes on יהוה and the Truth of His Word!
Despite the torrid threats and the intense dangers that Dawiḏ faced, he focused his attention on seeking and praising the Most-High, יהוה of Hosts!
When you are going through some rough times, do you find yourself intentionally seeking יהוה and earnestly give Him the due praise, or do you find that your eyes are so fixed on the distress and difficult circumstances you might be going through, that you become so blinded by pressures that you fail to see the Truth and stand firm in our Mighty Elohim and Saviour?
When you look around at the depravity and corruption of the world, which we are to be faithful sojourners in, are you looking up and fixing your eyes upon our Master and Elohim or are you falling prey to the panic of increasing conspiracies and threats that are crippling the belief of many?
Part of our need to count, is seen in our ability to lift up our eyes and fix them on the Prince and Perfecter of our belief! So, with proper counting, comes the responsibility of lifting up our eyes and not allowing the burdens of this words weigh us down, but walk as victorious overcomers in Messiah, with eyes lifted high!
7 – ראֹשׁ rosh
The next Hebrew root word that we see being translated as ‘count’ is ראֹשׁ rosh – Strong’s H7218 which means, ‘head, beginning, top, chief’.
Once again, we see a word that, while being used 598 times in Scripture, is not typically translated as ‘count’, yet can identify with the reason for it being translated as ‘count’ in:
Bemiḏbar/Numbers 31:48-49 “And the officers who were over thousands of the campaign, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, came near to Mosheh, 49 and they said to Mosheh, “Your servants have taken a count of the fighting men under our command, and not a man of us is missing.”
After taking vengeance on the Miḏyanites, the officers and commanders came and reported to Mosheh, the good news of how not one of the fighting men was missing! There were no casualties of war! When they went to ‘count’ the ‘heads’ there was none missing, and this was a great celebration that resulted in a huge freewill offering being brought from the spoils of war!
As I have said, this root word ראֹשׁ rosh – Strong’s H7218 is not typically translated as ‘count’, yet here, in this account, we take note of the ‘heads’ that were counted! In other words, a head count was done and everyone was accounted for! As we trust in our Master, we too have the assurance that He promises that not one will be lost!
When they came to arrest Messiah, He spoke these words to the soldiers who came to arrest Him:
Yoḥanan/John 18:8-9 “יהושע answered, “I said to you that I am. If, then, you seek Me, allow these to go,” 9 in order that the word might be filled which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me, I have lost none.”
Messiah is our Head, and as we stay in Him, we have the firm assurance that our deliverance will be made complete, teaching us that our ‘count’ in our ‘Head’, that is Messiah, is extremely vital, as we trust in Him, stay in Him and guard to do all He has commanded us, for then we shall not be lost!!!
The only Head that we need to be counted in, is in our Master and Redeemer, יהושע Messiah
8 – מִסְפָּר mispar
The last Hebrew root word that I want to highlight, as being one that is also seen as being translated as ‘count’, is מִסְפָּר mispar – Strong’s H4557 which means, ‘number, tally, account, counted’ and is used 132 times in Scripture!
And guess what? This word comes from the root word סָפַר saphar – Strong’s H5608, which is the second root word that we looked at, in this list of 8 Hebrew words for ‘count’!
We see this word being translated as ‘count’ in:
Diḇre haYamim Aleph/1 Chronicles 9:28 “And some of them were over the vessels of service, for they brought them in and took them out by count.”
This is part of the record of those who were gatekeepers and had the responsibility over the vessels of service that had to be brought in and out, by count!
As we consider this, we can learn the vital lesson of how we are to be good stewards, as trustworthy servants of the Most-High, and inn our continued ability to properly count, we are equipped to cleanse ourselves from all defilement. So that we become vessels unto value, in the House of Elohim!
It is also used in the blessing of Mosheh, over the tribes, as seen in the following verse, where it is translated as ‘numbered’:
Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 33:6 “Let Re’uḇĕn live, and not die, and let his men be numbered.”
What Mosheh was speaking, over the sons of Re’uḇĕn, is that their names would not be blotted out from the book of life but rather be numbered, or counted, among the rest of Yisra’ĕl and be a living part of the body of Messiah!
This teaches us a vital lesson on how important the ‘words of Mosheh’ are. And by that, I mean that the Torah of Mosheh, we are to hear, guard and do, in order for us to learn how to count and be numbered in our Master!
There are certainly many more passages that I could highlight, where we see these various Hebrew root words being used, yet for the purposes of simply sharing a brief overview of the use of these words, in terms of being translated as ‘count’, we can glean great insights into the extreme importance of us being obedient in being a counting people of Elohim!
Now let us take a closer look at 8 Greek root words that are also translated as ‘count, counted’ in the ISR Scriptures 2009 edition:
1 – ψηφίζω psēphizō
The first Greek word that I would like to look at is the word ψηφίζω psēphizō – Strong’s G5585 which means, ‘to count or calculate, to compute’ and this root word is used only 2 times in the Renewed Writings and helps understand our need to be able to count with understanding.
On the topic of counting, and taking up and bearing our stake as we should, יהושע uses the following imagery in the following parable:
Luqas/Luke 14:28-30 “For who of you, wishing to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation, and is unable to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was unable to finish.’”
When we become followers of יהושע we may even ask, “Do I have what it takes to finish?”
And typically, the answer is always no! But it is not our resources that are necessary, for Elohim provides all we need for life and reverence. What יהושע is talking about here is total commitment – an enduring persevering heart – not giving up when the times get bad and the going gets rough.
Do not be one who gives up on following wholeheartedly after יהושע; for if you do others will then look on and say that you began but couldn’t finish it or follow through. Let me tell you that a true follower of יהושע does not shrink back and get destroyed, even when setbacks come, but a true follower is one who believes and is saved, one who lives by faith with works (Torah observance), even when it is rough and the chips are down!
Often people are committed, but only for a while then, through various reasons, they drift away and walk away from following the Truth and walk away from יהוה. Do not be one of those. Are you willing to pay the price for true discipleship?
The other times we see this word ψηφίζω psēphizō – Strong’s G5585 being used is in:
Ḥazon/Revelation 13:18 “Here is the wisdom! He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.”
This is pretty awesome stuff!!! Our need to count properly requires us to have wisdom and understanding, and as we know, we are instructed to get wisdom and understanding:
Mishlĕ/Proverbs 4:5 “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.”
We now begin to grasp a little more of our need to be able to ‘count’ and ‘count’ correctly, so as to gain a proper and clear understanding of the Word, so that we are able to calculate and discern what is the number and mark of the beast, who has attempted to change the Appointed Times (Feasts of יהוה) and Laws (which would amount to lawlessness), and caused so many to be drunk and unable to count correctly, causing them to not be properly grafted in to the True Body of Messiah! If we do not properly count the cost of following our Master then we may end up being unable to finish what we so eagerly started! And this is why this season of counting to 50 is extremely important in teaching us to number our days and walk in the wisdom of Elohim!
2 – ἔχω echo
The second Greek word that I want to show you is ἔχω echo – Strong’s G2192 which means, ‘to have, hold, consider, obtain, possess’ and expresses an active verb which can render the meaning, ‘to have (hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have (hold) possession of the mind (refers to alarm, agitating emotions, etc.), to hold fast keep’.
It is translated as ‘count’ in:
Ma’asei/Acts 20:24 “But I do not count my life of any value to me, so that I might accomplish my mission with joy, and the service which I received from the Master יהושע, to bear witness to the Good News of the favour of Elohim.”
These were some of the words that Sha’ul spoke to the elders of Ephesos, that he had called to meet him at Miletos, on his way back to Yerushalayim. And in his farewell speech to them, he made it clear that his life was all about his service unto the Master and no matter what he would face, he would bear the witness of the Good News, despite knowing that chains and pressures awaited him!
These are words of an overcomer and words of one who had counted the cost of following the Master and did not let the fleshliness of selfishness hinder his goal and purpose of bearing the witness of Messiah!
Proper counting causes one to be an overcomer in Messiah!
Ḥazon/Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him because of the Blood of the Lamb, and because of the Word of their witness, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
Dying to self and living unto the Master is what true counting results in!
This word ἔχω echo – Strong’s G2192 is also used of those joined to any one by the bonds of natural blood or marriage or friendship or duty or law etc. and can express the intensity of holding fast to or ‘clinging’ to something, and is translated as ‘possess’, in:
Yoḥanan/John 14:21 “He who possesses My commands and guards them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I shall love him and manifest Myself to him.”
Well, when we understand this, it makes perfect sense what יהושע is clearly saying, which is that to ‘possess’ His commands mean that we are to hold them fast; that is, that we are to guard them!
One cannot be ‘guarding’ the commands if one is not doing them!
3 – ἐγκρίνω egkrinō
The next Greek word that we see being translated as ‘count’ is ἐγκρίνω egkrinō – Strong’s G1469 which means, ‘to judge in, to reckon among, count’ and in constructed from the following two words:
1) – ἐν en – Strong’s G1722 which is a primary preposition denoting position, and is translated as, ‘in, on, at, by, with’, and
2) κρίνω krinō – Strong’s G2919 which means, ‘to judge, decide, conclude, determine’.
The Greek word ἐγκρίνω egkrinō – Strong’s G1469 is translated as ‘count’ in:
Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 10:12 “For we do not presume to count ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
In one’s proper ability to ‘count the cost’ of following Messiah, as we should, we allow the Word to be the clear standard that judges our lives and not allow ourselves to be compared to or measured by the various compromising standards of others! We do not count ourselves with those who don’t count themselves in Messiah!
The clear standards of set-apartness have not changed and when one begins to ‘count’ their lives according to anything other than the Word of Elohim, then they become foolish in their vain attempts at service in Spirit and Truth!
4 – ἡγέομαι hēgeomai
The next Greek word that we see the word ‘count’ being translated from, is ἡγέομαι hēgeomai – Strong’s G2233 meaning, ‘to lead, command, consider, account, suppose, think carefully upon, count’.
This is used 30 times and is also translated as governor, think, thought, esteem.
It is the word that is used in a verse that we all have heard many times, especially when facing tough times:
Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:2 “My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”
Ya’aqoḇ did not waste time in his letter to make it clear we are to be a counting people; and when we link the concept of counting to Shaḇuoth – a joyful harvest feast of the wheat being brought in and the joy of the bread being made as a pleasing wave offering unto Elohim, we see how Ya’aqoḇ encourages us to count it joy – the end result is worth it and we ought to go through the counting period, until our Messiah comes again, with great joy and perseverance!
When we look more closely at our Master’s commands, to count the cost of following Him, we recognize that it does come with some real heavy decisions to consider – in fact, He tells us that if any one of us comes to Him and does not hate father and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and his own life too, is unable to be His taught one; and whoever does not bear his stake and follow after Him is unable to be His taught one.
Hard words they may be, but what He is saying in effect is that we are to put our total trust in Him and not in others and to do that may cost us some things that we will find hard to count as lost!
When we count the cost of walking in Him, we will be hated!
Mattithyahu/Matthew 10:22 “And you shall be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.”
As much as none of us like to or want to be hated – we must consider the cost of being made into the Bread/Body of Messiah, which is presented before Elohim; and Shaḇuoth is a picture of the Yoḇel release that will be fulfilled at The Second Coming of Messiah on Yom Kippur, where He will take up His ready Bride, and we have this very assurance by the fact that the sheaf of the first fruit offering has already been given as a guarantee of the full harvest that will be brought in
This word ἡγέομαι hēgeomai – Strong’s G2233 is also translated as ‘count’ in:
Pilipiyim/Philippians 3:8 “What is more, I even count all to be loss because of the excellence of the knowledge of Messiah יהושע my Master, for whom I have suffered the loss of all, and count them as refuse, in order to gain Messiah”
As a part of our ‘counting’ process of counting the cost of following our Master, we recognise that we are to count all that we may have thought that we did great, as nothing, and humble ourselves in walking each day in humility of service before the Master and not be found boasting in the actions, or assumed accolades, of our past!
When we count as we should, we do not cry and moan about things that we think we have lost or are ‘missing out on’, but rather consider them as refuse and having no more need in our lives, in order to properly gain the fullness of Messiah, in pursuit of His righteousness and His Reign!
5 – λογίζομαι logizomai
The next Greek word that is also translated at times as ‘count’, is the root word λογίζομαι logizomai – Strong’s G3049 which means, ‘an account or reckoning, to consider, take count, think, occupy oneself with calculations, take an inventory, estimate’.
It is used 41 times in the Renewed Writings (N.T.) and is translated as ‘count’ in the following verse:
Pilipiyim/Philippians 3:13-14 “Brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold of it yet, but only this: forgetting what is behind and reaching out for what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of Elohim in Messiah יהושע.”
None of us has ‘arrived’, so to speak! We are all still to be running with endurance and not reckon that we have already attained the prize of our calling in Messiah! We are to work out our deliverance with fear and trembling, and when one does not continue to count the cost, due to erroneously reckoning that they have arrived, they risk losing all that they had originally set out to pursue!
This word λογίζομαι logizomai – Strong’s G3049 is translated as ‘reckons’ in Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 13:5, where we see Sha’ul, in teaching us what love is, tells us that ‘love reckons not the evil’.
The Greek word that is translated as ‘evil’ comes from the root word κακός kakos – Strong’s G2556 which means, ‘evil, wicked, bad things, loathsome, wrong’.
We are not to sit and recount in our mind all the bad and wicked thing that are going on, or have been done to us, for this will only stir up bitterness, fear and resentment and render one unable to bear the true fruit of righteousness expressed in loving-commitment toward Elohim!
What things do you consider and recount in your mind – the good and functional way of Elohim, as given through the Torah, or on the wicked and destructive patterns of a lawless world!
This also teaches us that when we walk in true love, we do not sit and recount everyone’s wicked past and occupy ourselves with past failings! Often people relate their past wickedness and laugh and joke at the things they did, when we ought to be ashamed of our past sins, reckoning our lives as having been plucked from the fire, giving esteem and thanks to our Redeemer and King, יהושע Messiah! Our thoughts and speech must not be riddled with the past reckoning and gloating of a lawless life, but rather be esteeming the good way and walking in it, with joy!
6 – ἀξιόω axioō
The next Greek word that we have as being one that the word ‘count’ is also translated from, is the word ἀξιόω axioō – Strong’s G515 which means, ‘to deem worthy, consider, deserve, desire’ and this comes from the root word ἄξιος axios – Strong’s G514 which means, ‘worthy, due reward, befitting, deserving’
It is used 7 times in the Renewed writings and is translated as ‘count you worthy’ in the following verse:
Tas’loniqim Bět /2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “To this end we always pray for you that our Elohim would count you worthy of this calling, and complete all the good pleasure of goodness, and the work of belief with power, 12 so that the Name of our Master יהושע Messiah is esteemed in you, and you in Him, according to the favour of our Elohim and the Master יהושע Messiah.”
The root word ἄξιος axios – Strong’s G514 which means, ‘worthy, due reward, befitting, deserving’ is translated as ‘worthy’ in:
Ḥazon/Revelation 3:4-6 “Nevertheless, you have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. And they shall walk with Me in white, because they are worthy. 5 “He who overcomes shall be dressed in white robes, and I shall by no means blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I shall confess his name before My Father and before His messengers. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
The reason that I have quoted this passage from Ḥazon/Revelation, regarding those in Sardis that are deemed as being worthy by our Master, is that we take note of the wording He uses here in this regard, as He declares that He shall confess the Names of the worthy who have not denied Him, nor defiled their garments!
This fits perfectly in lines with the words He spoke to His taught ones in Mattithyahu/Matthew 10, when commissioning them to go out and be bold ambassadors of the reign, making sure that they keep clean and endure, so as to be counted worthy to enter His reign!
The Greek word that is translated as ‘defiled’ in Ḥazon/Revelation 3:4 is comes from the word μολύνω molunō – Strong’s G3435 meaning, ‘to stain, defile, soiled’.
It is from this root word that we get the noun μολυσμός molusmos – Strong’s G3436 which means, ‘defilement, filthiness, an action by which anything is defiled and rendered unclean and unfit’, and is translated as ‘defilement’, in:
Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 7:1 “Having, then, these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting set-apartness in the fear of Elohim.”
The way we perfect set-apartness in the fear of Elohim is to makes sure that we cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit! This is absolutely necessary…not just defilement of the flesh, but also of the spirit! Yes, we need to cleanse ourselves from all defilement of spiritual matters that have nullified the Torah of Elohim and have denied that our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, is יהוה.
We are to keep our garments from being stained or soiled by sin and compromise and cleanse ourselves in the Blood of Messiah and obey His Word!
Cleansing from defilement of the flesh and spirit entails a proper coming out of that which is not of us and separating ourselves from the things that can cause us to be filthy!
In the process of counting we also see the need for us to be an alert, and active people in our counting.
7 – ἀριθμέω arithmeō
The next Greek word that we find the word ‘count’ being translated from, is the word ἀριθμέω arithmeō – Strong’s G705 which means, ‘enumerate, count, number’ and is used 3 times in the Renewed writings, and is translated as ‘count’ in:
Ḥazon/Revelation 7:9-10 “After this I looked and saw a great crowd which no one was able to count, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, and palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Deliverance belongs to our Elohim who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
The innumerable number of those who declare the deliverance of Elohim are those who have been counted worthy to enter His reign!!! The vision that Yoḥanan was given here, highlights the assurance of the fulfilment of the promise given to Aḇraham, where his seed would be an innumerable number of those who are counted as one in Messiah!
8 – καταξιόω kataxioō
The next Greek word that I would like to look at, is the word καταξιόω kataxioō – Strong’s G2661 which means, ‘to deem worthy, consider worthy, count worthy, judge worthy’ and comes from the tow root words:
1) κατά kata – Strong’s G2596 which is a preposition which carries the meaning, ‘down, against, according to’ and
2) ἀξιόω axioō – Strong’s G515 which means, ‘to deem worthy, consider, deserve, desire’, which we have already discussed.
The word καταξιόω kataxioō – Strong’s G2661 is translated as ‘counted worthy’ in Messiah’s answer to the Sadducees, who questioned our Master about the resurrection:
Luqas/Luke 20:34-36 “And יהושע answering, said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are counted worthy of attaining that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are they given in marriage, 36 for neither is it possible for them to die any more, because they are like messengers and are sons of Elohim, being sons of the resurrection.”
We see this word καταξιόω kataxioō – Strong’s G2661 being used again, when our Master tells us in:
Luqas/Luke 21:36 “Watch then at all times, and pray that you be counted worthy to escape all this about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Aḏam.”
We again see this word καταξιόω kataxioō – Strong’s G2661 being used in reference to the emissaries that were beaten for the sake of Messiah:
Ma’asei/Acts 5:41 “Then indeed they went rejoicing from the presence of the council, because they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.”
We are to be watching at all times, praying that we be counted worthy to escape the coming wrath of Elohim that is coming upon the sons of disobedience.
Our Master tells us that we are to bear fruit ‘worthy’ of repentance (Mattithyahu/Matthew 3:8)!
This further emphasises our need to be a people that are counting correctly, so that we make sure that we are not marked as being ‘not worthy’, but are ‘counted worthy’, to escape all that is about to take place and joyfully enter the reign of our Mighty King!
Watching, counting and bearing fruit worthy of repentance! This is what is required of a productive taught one of the Master and it takes steadfast endurance and belief in all matters to do so!
As we consider all of the Hebrew and Greek words that we have looked at, in seeking out a better understanding of what it means to ‘count’, we are able to recognise how extremely important it is for us to be diligent in guarding the call to count!
While there are many more words that we could look at, I think that with these 8 Hebrew and 8 Greek words that we have looked at, we ought to be able to grasp the clear concept of what it means to be counting as we should!
Count as you should and you shall be counted worthy!
This is a season where we are to reflect on our much-needed response of obedience in being a people that count as commanded, in order that we can have the firm assurance of being counted worthy to enter the reign of our Master and be a people that are bold in their declaration of the Good News: יהושע Messiah!
COUNT!
יהוה bless you and guard you; יהוה make His face shine upon you and show favour to you; יהוה lift up His face upon you and give you shalom!