Definition and Context:
The concept of voting, as understood in contemporary democratic societies, does not have a direct equivalent in the biblical texts. However, the principles of decision-making, leadership selection, and communal consensus are present throughout the Scriptures. In biblical times, decisions were often made by leaders, elders, or through casting lots, a practice that sought divine guidance in making choices (Proverbs 16:33).

Old Testament References:
In the Old Testament, the selection of leaders and decision-making processes were often guided by divine appointment or prophetic insight. For instance, Moses appointed leaders over the people of Israel based on God's instructions (Exodus 18:21-26). The Israelites also used casting lots to make decisions, as seen in the allocation of land among the tribes (Joshua 18:10).

The concept of communal decision-making is evident in the assembly of elders and leaders who would gather to discuss and decide on matters affecting the community (Deuteronomy 1:13-15). This reflects a form of representative leadership, where chosen individuals acted on behalf of the people.

New Testament References:
In the New Testament, the early church practiced a form of communal decision-making. In Acts 1:23-26, the apostles cast lots to choose Matthias as a replacement for Judas Iscariot, indicating a reliance on divine guidance in leadership selection. The early church also made decisions through consensus, as seen in the Council of Jerusalem, where apostles and elders gathered to discuss and resolve doctrinal issues (Acts 15:6-29).

The New Testament emphasizes the importance of unity and collective discernment within the body of Christ. Believers are encouraged to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21) and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in making decisions (Acts 13:2).

Principles for Modern Application:
While the Bible does not explicitly address voting as practiced in modern democracies, several biblical principles can guide Christians in their civic responsibilities:

1. Stewardship and Responsibility: Believers are called to be good stewards of the resources and opportunities God has given them, including the privilege of participating in governance (1 Peter 4:10). Engaging in the voting process can be seen as an act of stewardship, contributing to the welfare of society.

2. Justice and Righteousness: The Bible consistently calls for justice and righteousness in leadership (Proverbs 29:2). Christians are encouraged to support leaders and policies that promote these values, reflecting God's heart for justice (Micah 6:8).

3. Prayer and Discernment: Scripture urges believers to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and to seek God's wisdom in all decisions (James 1:5). Voting should be approached with prayerful consideration, seeking God's guidance in choosing leaders who align with biblical principles.

4. Engagement and Influence: Jesus taught His followers to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Engaging in the political process, including voting, is one way Christians can influence society for good, promoting values that reflect the kingdom of God.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not provide a direct mandate for voting, it offers principles that can inform a Christian's approach to civic engagement. By participating thoughtfully and prayerfully in the electoral process, believers can contribute to the promotion of justice, righteousness, and the common good in their communities.1. (n.) An ardent wish or desire; a vow; a prayer.

2. (n.) A wish, choice, or opinion, of a person or a body of persons, expressed in some received and authorized way; the expression of a wish, desire, will, preference, or choice, in regard to any measure proposed, in which the person voting has an interest in common with others, either in electing a person to office, or in passing laws, rules, regulations, etc.; suffrage.

3. (n.) That by means of which will or preference is expressed in elections, or in deciding propositions; voice; a ballot; a ticket; as, a written vote.

4. (n.) Expression of judgment or will by a majority; legal decision by some expression of the minds of a number; as, the vote was unanimous; a vote of confidence.

5. (n.) Votes, collectively; as, the Tory vote; the labor vote.

6. (v. i.) To express or signify the mind, will, or preference, either viva voce, or by ballot, or by other authorized means, as in electing persons to office, in passing laws, regulations, etc., or in deciding on any proposition in which one has an interest with others.

7. (v. t.) To choose by suffrage; to elect/; as, to vote a candidate into office.

8. (v. t.) To enact, establish, grant, determine, etc., by a formal vote; as, the legislature voted the resolution.

9. (v. t.) To declare by general opinion or common consent, as if by a vote; as, he was voted a bore.

10. (v. t.) To condemn; to devote; to doom.

5500. cheirotoneo -- to vote by stretching out the hand, to ...
... to vote by stretching out the hand, to appoint. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
cheirotoneo Phonetic Spelling: (khi-rot-on-eh'-o) Short Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5500.htm - 7k

4785. sugkatapsephizomai -- to condemn with, spec. to vote (one) a ...
... to vote (one) a place among. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sugkatapsephizomai
Phonetic Spelling: (soong-kat-aps-ay-fid'-zo) Short Definition: I am voted ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4785.htm - 6k

5586. psephos -- a small smooth stone, a pebble
... smooth stone, a pebble. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: psephos
Phonetic Spelling: (psay'-fos) Short Definition: a pebble, a vote Definition: (a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5586.htm - 7k

4784. sugkatatithemi -- to deposit together, hence to agree with
... to agree with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sugkatatithemi Phonetic Spelling:
(soong-kat-at-ith'-em-ahee) Short Definition: I give a vote with, assent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4784.htm - 6k

2702. kataphero -- to bring down
... kataphero Phonetic Spelling: (kat-af-er'-o) Short Definition: I bring down, oppress
Definition: I bear down, overpower; I give a vote or verdict, bring charges ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2702.htm - 6k

2233. hegeomai -- to lead, suppose
... [2233 ("an official who ") carries important responsibility and hence "casts a heavy
vote" (influence) -- and hence deserve cooperation by those who are led ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2233.htm - 9k

Only one Vote
... ONLY ONE VOTE. A local option contest was going on in W", and Mrs. Kent
was trying to influence her husband to vote "No License ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/only one vote.htm

On the Departure of Athanasius, those who Composed the Synod Vote ...
... SCHOLASTICUS. Book I. Chapter XXXII."On the Departure of Athanasius, those
who composed the Synod vote his Deposition. Thus Athanasius ...
/.../chapter xxxii on the departure of.htm

Not Wishing to Overload this Long Essay with Too Many Parentheses. ...
... It is constantly said in this connection that males have received the vote (the
agricultural laborers for instance) when only a minority of them were in favor ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 47 not wishing to.htm

No Ballot-Box.
... We see that certain politicians are busy trying to convince those who have any fear
upon the matter, that it is easy for them to vote in such a way that no one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxix no ballot-box.htm

When, Therefore, it is Said that the Tradition against Female ...
... as they kill our cattle. To urge this is not to urge the reality of the
vote, but to urge its unreality. Democracy was meant to ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 24 when therefore it.htm

But in this Corner Called England, at this End of the Century...
... We said that everyone must have a vote in the country; similarly our wives
said that no one must have a pipe in the drawing room. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 22 but in this.htm

The Three Facts of Sin
... claims to have been by far the most wonderful trophy of God's love in all the multitude
of the redeemed, it is finally agreed to settle the matter by a vote. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/the three facts of sin.htm

Muhlenberg's Hierarchical Tendencies.
... Synod. But they had no voice in her decisions. In the common assembly
of the pastors and laymen no vote was taken. The Lutheran ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/muhlenbergs hierarchical tendencies.htm

Statutes and Regulations of Serampore College
... 3. The Charter having given the casting vote to the Master, in all cases when the
votes are equal the casting vote shall lie with the Master, and if there be ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/ii statutes and regulations of serampore.htm

Herod by Caesars Direction Accuses his Sons at Eurytus. They are ...
... this: That he condemned the young men, but not to death; for that it was not fit
for him, who had three sons of his own now present, to give his vote for the ...
/.../chapter 27 herod by caesars.htm

Vote (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) That by means of which will or preference is expressed in elections, or
in deciding propositions; voice; a ballot; a ticket; as, a written vote. ...
/v/vote.htm - 8k

Resolve (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To express, as an opinion or determination, by resolution and vote; to declare
or decide by a formal vote; -- followed by a clause; as, the house ...
/r/resolve.htm - 9k

Pair (18 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Two members of opposite parties or opinion, as in a parliamentary body,
who mutually agree not to vote on a given question, or on issues of a party ...
/p/pair.htm - 14k

Poll (5 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Specifically, the register of the names of electors who may vote in an
election. ... See Dee/ poll. 18. (vi) To vote at an election. Int. ...
/p/poll.htm - 12k

Yea (867 Occurrences)
... Cf. Nay, adv., 2. 3. (n.) An affirmative vote; one who votes in the affirmative;
as, a vote by yeas and nays. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. YEA. ya. ...
/y/yea.htm - 37k

Voice (651 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Opinion or choice expressed; judgment; a vote. ... 13. (vt) To vote; to elect;
to appoint. 14. (vi) To clamor; to cry out. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/v/voice.htm - 38k

Grace (277 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) An act, vote, or decree of the government of the institution; a
degree or privilege conferred by such vote or decree. 14. ...
/g/grace.htm - 64k

Challenge (6 Occurrences)
... cause. 6. (n.) An exception to a person as not legally qualified to vote.
The challenge must be made when the ballot is offered. ...
/c/challenge.htm - 10k

Voted (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Vote. Multi-Version Concordance Voted
(1 Occurrence). Acts 1:26 Then they drew lots between them. ...
/v/voted.htm - 6k

Vopshi (1 Occurrence)

/v/vopshi.htm - 6k

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