In the context of the Bible, the term "polls" is not directly referenced in the way modern society understands it, as a method of surveying public opinion. However, the concept of counting or numbering people, which is related to the idea of polls, is present in several biblical passages. The term "poll" in the King James Version often refers to the head or the act of counting individuals, as seen in the context of censuses or headcounts.

Census and Numbering in the Bible

The practice of taking a census, or numbering the people, is a recurring theme in the Scriptures. One of the most notable instances is found in the Book of Numbers, where God commands Moses to take a census of the Israelite community. Numbers 1:2-3 states, "Take a census of the whole congregation of the Israelites by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years old or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army."

The purpose of this census was to organize the people for military service and to establish a clear understanding of the community's size and structure. This reflects the importance of order and preparation in the life of the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness.

David's Census

Another significant instance of a census is found in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21, where King David orders a census of Israel and Judah. This act, however, incurs God's displeasure, leading to a severe plague upon the people. 2 Samuel 24:10 records David's realization of his sin: "After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken, and he said to the LORD, 'I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.'"

David's census is often interpreted as an act of pride or reliance on human strength rather than trust in God's provision and protection. This event underscores the importance of humility and dependence on God rather than on human resources or numbers.

Poll Tax

The concept of a poll tax, a tax levied on individuals, is also present in the Bible. In Exodus 30:11-16, God instructs Moses regarding the atonement money to be collected from each Israelite as a ransom for their lives. This half-shekel offering was to be given by every man twenty years old and above, serving as a means of supporting the tabernacle service and as a reminder of their redemption.

In the New Testament, the issue of paying taxes, including the poll tax, is addressed in the context of Roman rule. In Matthew 22:17-21 , the Pharisees question Jesus about the lawfulness of paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus responds, "Show Me the coin used for the tax." When they brought Him a denarius, He asked, "Whose image is this, and whose inscription?" "Caesar’s," they answered. So Jesus told them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s."

This passage highlights the principle of fulfilling civic duties while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God.

Spiritual Implications

While the Bible does not address polls in the modern sense, the underlying principles of accountability, stewardship, and reliance on God rather than human strength are evident in the biblical narratives involving censuses and taxation. These accounts serve as reminders of the importance of humility, obedience, and trust in God's sovereignty over all aspects of life.

Arise, and Go into the City
... Acts 9:6. 1. "Tell the rector of Christ Church that if he doesn't call off the Woman's
Club, I'll bring the women of the streets to the polls." And he added ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/arise and go into the.htm

Chapter fifteen
... More than a hundred professing Christian disciples had failed to go to the polls,
and many more than that number had voted with the whiskey men. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter fifteen.htm

Only one Vote
... Women's hands, made hard by toil, were stretched to God for help in the decision.
The day grew late and yet Mr. Kent had not been to the polls. ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/only one vote.htm

Chapter fourteen
... The excitement all over the city had reached its climax when the polls closed at
six o'clock. Never before had there been such a contest in Raymond. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter fourteen.htm

Connecticut at the Close of the Revolution
... and collected with the public tax, and paid out to the public teachers of religion
of the several denominations in proportion to the number of polls or families ...
/.../chapter xii connecticut at the.htm

Chapter ten
... Was not the most Christian thing they could do to act as citizens in the matter,
fight the saloon at the polls, elect good men to the city offices, and clean ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter ten.htm

Explanatory Notes to the American Edition
... "Maranatha." Opening address at the meeting of Deputies.1891. "Gedrachtslyn
by de Stembus." (Line of Conduct at the Polls.) 1891. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/explanatory notes to the american.htm

A Wise Minister Will be Successful.
... send their ships about the streets on wheels with flags and sailors; send coaches
all over town, with handbills, to bring people up to the polls"all to gain ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xi a wise minister.htm

Certificate Laws and Western Land Bills
... sum of money received from the sale of the Western Lands should be apportioned among
the several school societies according to the list of polls and rateable ...
/.../chapter xiii certificate laws and.htm

Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the ...
... a constitutional change. As one result of the defeat at the polls, there
arose a wider sympathy for the defeated party. When the ...
/.../chapter xiv political parties in.htm

Polls (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Polls (5 Occurrences). Numbers 1:2 Take ye the
sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after ...
/p/polls.htm - 8k

Poll (5 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) The place where the votes are cast or recorded; as, to go to the polls. ... 15.
(vt) To enter, as polls or persons, in a list or register; to enroll, esp. ...
/p/poll.htm - 12k

Registered (21 Occurrences)
... they declared their pedigrees after their families, by their fathers' houses, according
to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls...
/r/registered.htm - 13k

Births (34 Occurrences)
... they declare their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in
the number of names from a son of twenty years and upward, by their polls, (YLT ...
/b/births.htm - 17k

Census (24 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 1 Chronicles 23:3 The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and
upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. ...
/c/census.htm - 15k

Upward (74 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 23:3 The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and
their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. ...
/u/upward.htm - 32k

Counted (122 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Chronicles 23:3 The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and
upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. ...
/c/counted.htm - 35k

Genealogical (26 Occurrences)
... of Reuben, Israel's first-born, their generations, by their families, by their fathers'
houses, according to the number of names, by their polls, every male ...
/g/genealogical.htm - 15k

Individually (6 Occurrences)
... Levi after their fathers' houses, even the heads of the fathers' houses of those
who were counted individually, in the number of names by their polls, who did ...
/i/individually.htm - 8k

Intimidation (1 Occurrence)
... (n.) The act of making timid or fearful or of deterring by threats; the state of
being intimidated; as, the voters were kept from the polls by intimidation. ...
/i/intimidation.htm - 6k

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