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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Polls</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/p/polls.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/numbers/1-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/p/polls.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Polls</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/p/polling.htm" title="Polling">◄</a> Polls <a href="/topical/p/poll-tax.htm" title="Poll-tax">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>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.<br><br><b>Census and Numbering in the Bible</b><br><br>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. <a href="/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2-3</a> 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."<br><br>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.<br><br><b>David's Census</b><br><br>Another significant instance of a census is found in <a href="/bsb/2_samuel/24.htm">2 Samuel 24</a> and <a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/21.htm">1 Chronicles 21</a>, 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. <a href="/2_samuel/24-10.htm">2 Samuel 24:10</a> 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.'"<br><br>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.<br><br><b>Poll Tax</b><br><br>The concept of a poll tax, a tax levied on individuals, is also present in the Bible. In <a href="/exodus/30-11.htm">Exodus 30:11-16</a>, 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.<br><br>In the New Testament, the issue of paying taxes, including the poll tax, is addressed in the context of Roman rule. In <a href="/matthew/22-17.htm">Matthew 22:17-21</a> , 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."<br><br>This passage highlights the principle of fulfilling civic duties while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God.<br><br><b>Spiritual Implications</b><br><br>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.<a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/herrick/frank_h_nelson_of_cincinnati/arise_and_go_into_the.htm"><span class="l">Arise, and Go into the City</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Acts 9:6. 1. "Tell the rector of Christ Church that if he doesn't call off the Woman's<br> Club, I'll bring the women of the streets to the <b>polls</b>." And he added <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/arise and go into the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/sheldon/in_his_steps/chapter_fifteen.htm"><span class="l">Chapter fifteen</span></a> <br><b>...</b> More than a hundred professing Christian disciples had failed to go to the <b>polls</b>,<br> and many more than that number had voted with the whiskey men. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter fifteen.htm</font><p><a href="/library/shaw/touching_incidents_and_remarkable_answers_to_prayer/only_one_vote.htm"><span class="l">Only one Vote</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Women's hands, made hard by toil, were stretched to God for help in the decision.<br> The day grew late and yet Mr. Kent had not been to the <b>polls</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/only one vote.htm</font><p><a href="/library/sheldon/in_his_steps/chapter_fourteen.htm"><span class="l">Chapter fourteen</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The excitement all over the city had reached its climax when the <b>polls</b> closed at<br> six o'clock. Never before had there been such a contest in Raymond. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter fourteen.htm</font><p><a href="/library/greene/the_development_of_religious_liberty_in_connecticut/chapter_xii_connecticut_at_the.htm"><span class="l">Connecticut at the Close of the Revolution</span></a> <br><b>...</b> and collected with the public tax, and paid out to the public teachers of religion<br> of the several denominations in proportion to the number of <b>polls</b> or families <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter xii connecticut at the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/sheldon/in_his_steps/chapter_ten.htm"><span class="l">Chapter ten</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Was not the most Christian thing they could do to act as citizens in the matter,<br> fight the saloon at the <b>polls</b>, elect good men to the city offices, and clean <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter ten.htm</font><p><a href="/library/kuyper/the_work_of_the_holy_spirit/explanatory_notes_to_the_american.htm"><span class="l">Explanatory Notes to the American Edition</span></a> <br><b>...</b> "Maranatha." Opening address at the meeting of Deputies.1891. "Gedrachtslyn<br> by de Stembus." (Line of Conduct at the <b>Polls</b>.) 1891. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/explanatory notes to the american.htm</font><p><a href="/library/finney/lectures_on_revivals_of_religion/lecture_xi_a_wise_minister.htm"><span class="l">A Wise Minister Will be Successful.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> send their ships about the streets on wheels with flags and sailors; send coaches<br> all over town, with handbills, to bring people up to the <b>polls</b>"all to gain <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xi a wise minister.htm</font><p><a href="/library/greene/the_development_of_religious_liberty_in_connecticut/chapter_xiii_certificate_laws_and.htm"><span class="l">Certificate Laws and Western Land Bills</span></a> <br><b>...</b> sum of money received from the sale of the Western Lands should be apportioned among<br> the several school societies according to the list of <b>polls</b> and rateable <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter xiii certificate laws and.htm</font><p><a href="/library/greene/the_development_of_religious_liberty_in_connecticut/chapter_xiv_political_parties_in.htm"><span class="l">Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> a constitutional change. As one result of the defeat at the <b>polls</b>, there<br> arose a wider sympathy for the defeated party. When the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter xiv political parties in.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/p/polls.htm"><span class="l"><b>Polls</b> (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Polls</b> (5 Occurrences). Numbers 1:2 Take ye the<br> sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/polls.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/poll.htm"><span class="l">Poll (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 7. (n.) The place where the votes are cast or recorded; as, to go to the <b>polls</b>. <b>...</b> 15.<br> (vt) To enter, as <b>polls</b> or persons, in a list or register; to enroll, esp. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/poll.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/registered.htm"><span class="l">Registered (21 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> they declared their pedigrees after their families, by their fathers' houses, according<br> to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, by their <b>polls</b><b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/registered.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/births.htm"><span class="l">Births (34 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> they declare their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in<br> the number of names from a son of twenty years and upward, by their <b>polls</b>, (YLT <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/births.htm - 17k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/census.htm"><span class="l">Census (24 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (See NAS). 1 Chronicles 23:3 The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and<br> upward: and their number by their <b>polls</b>, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/census.htm - 15k</font><p><a href="/topical/u/upward.htm"><span class="l">Upward (74 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Chronicles 23:3 The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and<br> their number by their <b>polls</b>, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/u/upward.htm - 32k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/counted.htm"><span class="l">Counted (122 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (See NIV). 1 Chronicles 23:3 The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and<br> upward: and their number by their <b>polls</b>, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/counted.htm - 35k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/genealogical.htm"><span class="l">Genealogical (26 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> of Reuben, Israel's first-born, their generations, by their families, by their fathers'<br> houses, according to the number of names, by their <b>polls</b>, every male <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/genealogical.htm - 15k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/individually.htm"><span class="l">Individually (6 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Levi after their fathers' houses, even the heads of the fathers' houses of those<br> who were counted individually, in the number of names by their <b>polls</b>, who did <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/individually.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/intimidation.htm"><span class="l">Intimidation (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (n.) The act of making timid or fearful or of deterring by threats; the state of<br> being intimidated; as, the voters were kept from the <b>polls</b> by intimidation. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/intimidation.htm - 6k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/eating-disorders.html">What does the Bible say about eating disorders (e.g., anorexia, bulimia)? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Roe-vs-Wade.html">How should a Christian view the Roe vs. Wade decision? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/irreligion.html">What is irreligion? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/polls.htm">Polls: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Polls (5 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2</a></span><br />Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their <span class="boldtext">polls</span>;<br /><span class="source">(KJV JPS ASV DBY YLT)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/numbers/1-18.htm">Numbers 1:18</a></span><br />And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their <span class="boldtext">polls</span>.<br /><span class="source">(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/numbers/1-20.htm">Numbers 1:20</a></span><br />And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their <span class="boldtext">polls</span>, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;<br /><span class="source">(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3</a></span><br />The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number by their <span class="boldtext">polls</span>, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">1 Chronicles 23:24</a></span><br />These were the sons of 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 <span class="boldtext">polls</span>, who did the work for the service of the house of Yahweh, from twenty years old and upward.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/p/polls.htm">Polls</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tribute.htm">Tribute (67 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/taxes.htm">Taxes (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/allowable.htm">Allowable (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/polls.htm">Polls (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pollute.htm">Pollute (42 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/">Home (270 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/judgement.htm">Judgement (68 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/home.htm">Home (270 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/truthful.htm">Truthful (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/rabbi.htm">Rabbi (51 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/recognize.htm">Recognize (52 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/distinctions.htm">Distinctions (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/punishments.htm">Punishments (31 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/current.htm">Current (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/capitation.htm">Capitation (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/taxing.htm">Taxing (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tax.htm">Tax (43 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/god's.htm">God's (602 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/money.htm">Money (284 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fear.htm">Fear (970 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/human.htm">Human (133 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/empire.htm">Empire (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/roman.htm">Roman (26 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/christianity.htm">Christianity</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/p/polling.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Polling"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Polling" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/p/poll-tax.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Poll-tax"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Poll-tax" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" 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