Bible Verses on Reckoning

The Greek verb logizomai appears 40 times in the New Testament, and 34 of those uses are by Paul. Its Hebrew equivalent occurs dozens of times in the Old Testament. I have selected from both Testaments a variety of verses that demonstrate the word’s significance, diverse contexts, and varieties of translation. To understand the importance of this word for the biblical concept of justification by grace through faith, be sure to read my exposition of Romans 4.

See Definition of Reckoning for background information on the meaning of logizomai.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word ḥāšaḇ (to “think” or “account”) is closest in meaning to logizomai and is chiefly translated as such in the Septuagint (the Greek OT). According to the New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (Eichler), “The other terms which it translates are found only rarely: hāyâh, to be (2 Sam. 19:44 [43]); mānâh in the niphal, to count (Isa. 53:12); qārā’, niphal, call (Deut. 3:13); and šûḇh, return, consider (Isa. 44:19).”

Unless otherwise noted, Bible verses are from the English Standard Version, which instead of reckon uses such terms as count, credit, hold, take, esteem, impute, or regard.

Word study is only one part of proper interpretation. Context is a critically important factor Bible translators must weigh when selecting an appropriate English word for the parent Greek or Hebrew term. As evidenced by the numerous words English translators have used for logizomai, it has a fairly wide semantic range. Nevertheless, as you can understand from its definition, the word possesses important meanings some English translations may not fully convey.

As you read these verses, I’m not suggesting that you substitute “reckon” or “reckoned” for each boldfaced term. Rather, apply your new understanding of logizomai and see if you come away with a richer understanding of the passage. Let’s look at a couple examples.

Numbered or reckoned?

Look below for Isaiah 53:12, where the Servant of the Lord was “numbered with the transgressors.” In Luke 22:37 Jesus applies this verse to himself. Now read this passage as Keil and Delitzsch rendered it in their Old Testament commentary: “He has suffered Himself to be reckoned with transgressors.” Matthew Henry and John Calvin used the term “ranked.” Ask yourself this: Who did the numbering or reckoning or ranking? You can find clues in Isaiah 53:3 and 4, which have two more uses of logizomai.

The verb “number” has a static connotation in comparison with the more dynamic “reckon.” It’s the difference between merely counting objects and moving objects from one category to another as we form judgments about them in our mind. In reckoning Jesus a transgressor, “we” (see verse 4) regarded our holy Redeemer as a violator of God’s law. Of course, there is great irony here. God in a sense also reckoned Jesus a transgressor, as he placed our transgressions on the Redeemer so he could in turn reckon us righteous.

Esteemed or reckoned?

Now look again at Isaiah 53:3 and 4, where ESV and most translations have “esteemed” for logizomai (Septuagint translation of the Hebrew verb ḥāšaḇ). Here is what Keil and Delitzsch say about this phrase in verse 3:

The phrase “esteemed him not” might be better rendered “regarded him as nothing” (following Luther). Turning to verse 4, here “esteemed” is quite awkward, and “reckoned” or “regarded” would be much clearer. NIV, alone among translations, gives the best sense of both verses:

Old Testament

New Testament