Estimation, in a biblical context, refers to the process of making a judgment or assessment about the value, worth, or significance of something. This concept is evident in various passages of Scripture, where individuals are called to make evaluations based on divine wisdom, moral principles, and spiritual discernment.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, estimation often appears in the context of offerings and vows. Leviticus 27 provides detailed instructions on how the Israelites were to make estimations for things dedicated to the Lord. For example, Leviticus 27:2-3 states, "Speak to the Israelites and say, 'When a man makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, the valuation of a male from twenty to sixty years of age shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel.'" This passage illustrates the importance of precise estimation in fulfilling religious obligations.

The concept of estimation also extends to the assessment of property and possessions. In Leviticus 25:15-16 , the Israelites are instructed, "You are to buy from your countrymen on the basis of the number of years since the Jubilee. And they are to sell to you based on the number of remaining harvest years. You shall increase the price if there are many years, and decrease it if there are few, because it is really the number of harvests that he is selling you." This reflects the principle of fair estimation in economic transactions.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs, frequently addresses the theme of estimation in terms of discernment and judgment. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage underscores the importance of relying on divine guidance rather than solely on human estimation.

Proverbs 11:1 further emphasizes the moral dimension of estimation: "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." Here, the accurate estimation of weights and measures is not only a matter of fairness but also a reflection of one's integrity before God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, estimation is often related to the discernment of spiritual truths and the evaluation of one's own life in light of the Gospel. Jesus teaches about the importance of counting the cost of discipleship in Luke 14:28 : "Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?" This metaphorical estimation encourages believers to thoughtfully consider the implications of following Christ.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of estimation in Romans 12:3 , where he writes, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you." Here, Paul calls for a humble and realistic estimation of oneself, grounded in faith and grace.

Theological Implications

Estimation in the Bible is not merely a practical exercise but is deeply intertwined with spiritual and ethical considerations. It requires a balance of wisdom, humility, and reliance on God's guidance. The biblical call to accurate estimation reflects a broader divine principle of justice, integrity, and stewardship, urging believers to evaluate all aspects of life in accordance with God's truth and righteousness.1. (n.) The act of estimating.

2. (n.) An opinion or judgment of the worth, extent, or quantity of anything, formed without using precise data; valuation; as, estimations of distance, magnitude, amount, or moral qualities.

3. (v. t.) Favorable opinion; esteem; regard; honor.

4. (v. t.) Supposition; conjecture.

ESTIMATE; ESTIMATION

es'-ti-mat, es-ti-ma'-shun (`arakh, `erekh):

These words, meaning "to set in order," "valuation," are used in connection with the priestly services in Leviticus 5:15, 18; Leviticus 6:6; Leviticus 27:14, and frequently; Numbers 18:16.

1438. heautou -- of himself, herself, itself
... each other (2), herself (4), himself (91), itself (12), mind (1), none* (1), one
another (13), oneself (1), ourselves (19), own (48), own estimation (2), own ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1438.htm - 8k

1253. diakrisis -- the act of judgment
... discerning, disputation. From diakrino; judicial estimation -- discern(-ing),
disputation. see GREEK diakrino. (diakriseis) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1253.htm - 7k

6187. erek -- an order, row, estimate
... belongs (1). equal, estimation, things that are set in order, price, proportion,
set at, suit, taxation,. From arak; a pile, equipment ...
/hebrew/6187.htm - 6k

2807. Chashubah -- "consideration," son of Zerubbabel
... Hashubah. From chashab; estimation; Cashubah, an Israelite -- Hashubah. see HEBREW
chashab. 2806, 2807. Chashubah. 2808 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2807.htm - 6k

Of a Low Estimation of Self in the Sight of God
... THE THIRD BOOK. ON INWARD CONSOLATION CHAPTER VIII Of a low estimation of self in
the sight of God. I will speak unto my Lord who am but dust and ashes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter viii of a low.htm

Of True virtue; and of the Estimation of a Good or Bad Citizen.
... the divine institutes Book V. Of Justice. Chap. XII."Of True Virtue; And
of the Estimation of a Good or Bad Citizen. What would ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xii of true virtue and.htm

The Righteousness of Christ is not Imputed to us for Righteousness ...
... by which we are justified before God may in an accommodated sense be called imputative,
as being righteousness either in the gracious estimation of God, since ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/article xxiv iv the righteousness.htm

Chapter xxxviii
... her name was Tamar. And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the estimation
of Yahweh, so Yahweh let him die. Then Judah said to ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxviii.htm

You Observe How He Treats Ambrose. First, He Calls Him a Crow and ...
... the man whom we and all who are wise admire." Your plagiarisms redound to your highest
praise; those of others make them crows and jackdaws in your estimation. ...
/.../25 you observe how he.htm

Introduction
... It will also evince the high estimation in which his character and writings
were held by his cotemporaries of the same religious faith. ...
/.../introduction.htm

Of Revenge.
... Revenge, in the estimation of error, [9114] seems a solace of pain; in the estimation
of truth, on the contrary, it is convicted of malignity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/of patience/chapter x of revenge.htm

Justification
... for righteousness; by which circumstance all worthiness is taken away from faith,
except that which is through the gracious condescending estimation of God. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/justification.htm

On the Justification of Man as a Sinner, but yet a Believer ...
... 10. Has an elect person really endured punishment in Christ and performed
obedience, or only in the divine estimation or reckoning! ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on the justification of man.htm

How Holy Benevolence Produces the Praise of the Divine Well ...
... How often we praise such as know us not, or who are sleeping; and yet according
to the common estimation of men, and their ordinary manner of conceiving, it ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii how holy benevolence.htm

Estimation (19 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) Supposition; conjecture. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ESTIMATE;
ESTIMATION. ... Multi-Version Concordance Estimation (19 Occurrences). ...
/e/estimation.htm - 13k

Valuation (22 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of valuing, or of estimating value or worth; the act of setting
a price; estimation; appraisement; as, a valuation of lands for the purpose of ...
/v/valuation.htm - 14k

Guilt-offering (34 Occurrences)
... holy things of Jehovah; then he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah,
a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to thy estimation in silver ...
/g/guilt-offering.htm - 17k

Defect (62 Occurrences)
... in the holy things of Yahweh; then he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh,
a ram without blemish from the flock, according to your estimation in silver ...
/d/defect.htm - 25k

Blemish (71 Occurrences)
... in the holy things of Yahweh; then he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh,
a ram without blemish from the flock, according to your estimation in silver ...
/b/blemish.htm - 31k

Trespass (101 Occurrences)
... in the holy things of Yahweh; then he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh,
a ram without blemish from the flock, according to your estimation in silver ...
/t/trespass.htm - 44k

Ram (96 Occurrences)
... in the holy things of Yahweh; then he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh,
a ram without blemish from the flock, according to your estimation in silver ...
/r/ram.htm - 41k

Value (138 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To rate highly; to have in high esteem; to hold in respect and estimation;
to appreciate; to prize; as, to value one for his works or his virtues. 10. ...
/v/value.htm - 37k

Name (10157 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially,
illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction. ...
/n/name.htm - 23k

Opinion (91 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things;
estimation. 3. (n.) Favorable estimation; hence, consideration ...
/o/opinion.htm - 34k

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