In biblical times, the role of an assessor, while not explicitly named as such in the Scriptures, can be understood through the functions of certain individuals who were responsible for evaluating and making judgments, particularly in matters of law, property, and taxation. The concept of an assessor aligns with the broader biblical principles of justice, fairness, and the proper administration of societal duties.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the role of judges and officials often encompassed duties similar to those of an assessor. These individuals were tasked with ensuring justice and equity within the community. For instance, Moses appointed judges to help him govern the people of Israel, as seen in Exodus 18:25-26 : "Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves."

The Levitical priests also played a role in assessing matters, particularly those related to ceremonial law and purity. Leviticus 27 outlines the valuation of persons, animals, and property dedicated to the Lord, where the priest would determine the value based on specific criteria.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of an assessor can be seen in the role of tax collectors, who were responsible for assessing and collecting taxes. Although often viewed negatively due to their association with the Roman authorities and perceived corruption, tax collectors like Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) and Matthew (Matthew 9:9) were integral to the financial administration of the region.

The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of fair judgment and assessment within the church community. In 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 , Paul admonishes believers to resolve disputes among themselves rather than taking them before secular courts, highlighting the need for wise and fair assessment within the body of Christ.

Principles of Assessment

The biblical principles guiding the role of an assessor include justice, impartiality, and integrity. Deuteronomy 16:18-20 instructs, "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for it blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you."

These principles underscore the importance of fair and honest assessment in all areas of life, reflecting God's character and His desire for righteousness among His people.1. (n.) One appointed to assess taxes.

2. (n.) One appointed or elected to assist a judge or magistrate with his special knowledge of the subject to be decided; as legal assessors, nautical assessors.

3. (n.) One who sits by another, as next in dignity, or as an assistant and adviser; an associate in office.

ASSESSOR

a-ses'-er: Lit. one who sits by another, an assistant; among the ancients especially an assistant to the king (compare "The assessor of his throne," Dryden, Milton's P.L., Book vi), or to the judge (see Dryden, Virgil's Aeneid, vi.583). Later it came to mean one who assesses people or property for purposes of taxation.

(1) Royal officials in Israel have the general title sarim, "princes," and this general title included the officer who was "over the tribute," who seems to have had charge of the assessment, as well as the collection of taxes. In the days of the later monarchy "the governor of the royal household," "the royal steward and high chamberlain," seems to have held some such important position (Isaiah 22:15; Isaiah 36:3, 22).

(2) The early kings do not seem to have subjected the people to heavy taxes, but we find much in the prophets about the injustice and extortion practiced by these officials on the poor of the land (compare Amos 2:6, 7 Isaiah 5:8 Jeremiah 5:28 Micah 3:11). Special taxes seem to have been imposed to meet emergencies (compare 2 Kings 23:35), but it is not clear that anything of the nature of a regular land tax, or property tax, existed in early times; though something of the kind may be referred to in the reward promised by Saul to the slayer of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:25) and the tenth mentioned in 1 Samuel 8:15-17. The kings of Judah, it would seem, made free use of the temple treasures.

(3) Later the Roman government "farmed out" the taxes of the provinces. The publicans, or tax-gatherers of the Gospels, seem to have been agents of the imperial procurator of Judea, instead of direct agents of the great Roman financial companies, who ordinarily let out the business of the collection of the taxes to officers of their own.

During the Empire there was ample imperial machinery provided for the regular collection of the taxes, and the emperor appointed a procurator in each province whose business it was to supervise the collection of revenue. Some Jews found the business profitable, but these were objects of detestation to their countrymen. See PUBLICAN.

George B. Eager

To Hermesigenes the Assessor.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, LXXII. To Hermesigenes the Assessor. At
the time when men were whelmed in the darkness of ignorance ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/lxxii to hermesigenes the assessor.htm

Letter cclxxxiv. To the Assessor in the Case of Monks.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CCLXXXIV. To the
assessor in the case of monks. Concerning the monks, your ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cclxxxiv to the assessor.htm

Prudence and Faith
... In some courts of law and in certain cases, the judge has an assessor sitting beside
him, an expert about some of the questions that are involved. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/prudence and faith.htm

Him Then I had Found at Rome, and He Clave to Me by a Most...
... There he had thrice sat as Assessor, with an uncorruptness much wondered at by others,
he wondering at others rather who could prefer gold to honesty. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter x him then i.htm

The Wonderful Integrity of Alypius in Judgment. The Lasting ...
... There had he thrice sat as assessor with an uncorruptness wondered at by others,
he rather wondering at those who could prefer gold to integrity. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter x the wonderful integrity of.htm

The Final Disillusion
... administration. He was assessor to the Treasurer-General, or "Count of
the Italian Bounty Office," and decided fiscal questions. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the final disillusion.htm

It was Near the Middle Hour of the Night. ...
... "Blessings of the one God be upon thee," said Ben Joreb, bowing low. "And the favor
of many gods on thee," said the assessor. "From Jerusalem?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 8 it was near.htm

Again the Council of the Covenant was in Session. ...
... The assessor, distraught and pale, started as he met him, and Vergilius saw
at once that an end of the other's girdle had been cut away. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 20 again the council.htm

Eighth Tractate. On the Intellectual Beauty.
... No wisdom, thus, is greater; this is the authentic knowing, assessor to the divine
Intellect as projected into manifestation simultaneously with it; thus, in ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/eighth tractate on the intellectual.htm

Rome had Passed the Summits and Stood Looking into the Dark Valley ...
... In rural Latium, rich and poor clung to the old faith, and everywhere a plebeian
feared alike the assessor and the gods, and sacrificed to both. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 1 rome had passed.htm

Assessor
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ASSESSOR. a-ses'-er: Lit. one who sits
by another, an assistant; among the ancients especially an ...
/a/assessor.htm - 9k

Assessments (1 Occurrence)

/a/assessments.htm - 6k

Asseverate (1 Occurrence)

/a/asseverate.htm - 6k

Assessor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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