The term "exacted" in the biblical context generally refers to the act of demanding or requiring something, often with a sense of force or obligation. This concept appears in various forms throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both the just and unjust imposition of demands or dues.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the concept of exacting is often associated with the collection of debts or the imposition of labor. One notable instance is found in the book of Exodus, where the Israelites, under Egyptian bondage, were subjected to harsh labor. The taskmasters "exacted" labor from them, increasing their burdens (Exodus 5:6-9). This oppressive demand highlights the severity of their enslavement and the cruelty of their oppressors.

The Law of Moses addresses the issue of exacting in the context of lending and borrowing. In Deuteronomy 23:19-20, Israelites are instructed not to exact interest from their fellow countrymen, emphasizing a community built on mutual support rather than exploitation. This principle is further reinforced in Nehemiah 5:7, where Nehemiah confronts the nobles and officials for exacting usury from their brethren, urging them to cease this practice and restore what they have taken.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets often spoke against the unjust exaction of goods or services. In Isaiah 58:3, the people of Israel are criticized for exacting all their labors even while they fast, indicating a disconnect between their religious observance and their ethical behavior. The prophet calls for a true fast that involves loosening the chains of injustice and setting the oppressed free, rather than merely observing ritualistic practices.

Similarly, in Ezekiel 18:7, the righteous man is described as one who does not oppress anyone or exact a pledge, but rather restores to the debtor his pledge, showing mercy and justice in his dealings. This reflects the biblical ideal of righteousness, which includes fair and compassionate treatment of others.

New Testament Insights

While the specific term "exacted" is less prevalent in the New Testament, the principles surrounding it are evident in Jesus' teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the issue of retaliation and the demand for justice, urging His followers to go beyond the legalistic exaction of rights and instead practice forgiveness and generosity (Matthew 5:38-42).

The parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23-35 further illustrates the dangers of exacting harsh penalties from others while failing to recognize one's own need for mercy. The servant, having been forgiven a great debt, is condemned for exacting a much smaller debt from his fellow servant, highlighting the importance of extending the grace we have received to others.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of exacting serves as a reminder of the balance between justice and mercy. While it is necessary to uphold justice and fulfill obligations, the Scriptures consistently call for compassion, fairness, and a spirit of generosity in our dealings with others.(imp. & p. p.) of Exact.5065. nagas -- to press, drive, oppress, exact
... root Definition to press, drive, oppress, exact NASB Word Usage drive hard (1),
driver (1), exact (2), exacted (1), hard-pressed (2), oppressed (2), oppressor ...
/hebrew/5065.htm - 6k

3318. yatsa -- to go or come out
... 12), departing (1), departs (1), departure (1), descendants (2), do (1), draw (1),
drawn (1), end (1), entered (1), escape (3), escaped (2), exacted (1), exiled ...
/hebrew/3318.htm - 8k

That the Gods Exacted no Penalty for the Fratricidal Act of ...
... Book III. Chapter 6."That the Gods Exacted No Penalty for the Fratricidal
Act of Romulus. I add another instance: If the sins ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 6 that the gods exacted.htm

Of the Scenic Plays, the Celebration of which the Gods have ...
... Book IV. Chapter 26."Of the Scenic Plays, the Celebration of Which the Gods
Have Exacted from Their Worshippers. "But," says Cicero ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of the scenic plays.htm

Whether the Punishment of Sacrilege Should be Pecuniary?
... Neither have we taken an occasion of covetousness." But it seems to involve an occasion
of covetousness that a pecuniary punishment should be exacted for the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the punishment of sacrilege.htm

How Marcus, Succeeded Sextus when He had Been Slain by Bassus's ...
... He then went over the cities, and got together weapons and soldiers, and laid great
taxes upon those cities; and he chiefly oppressed Judea, and exacted of it ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how marcus succeeded.htm

Epistle Xli. To Constantina Augusta.
... And, when some of them had been baptized and had ceased sacrificing to idols, the
same payment had been exacted by this same judge of the island, even after ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xli to constantina augusta.htm

Epistle xxxii. To Peter, Subdeacon of Sicily.
... If this is so, let thy Experience restore to them the farm, and also the payments
from the same farm for the two indictions during which thou hast exacted them ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxxii to peter subdeacon.htm

How to Split a Kingdom
... His former occupation as superintendent of the forced labour exacted from his own
tribe taught him where the shoe pinched, and the weight of the yoke would not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/how to split a kingdom.htm

Whether those Things that are of Faith Should be Divided into ...
... Yet even then it could be said that although faith is exacted of no man by a necessity
of coercion, since belief is a voluntary act, yet it is exacted of him ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether those things that are 2.htm

The Image of the Beast.
... "They exacted oaths of fidelity from all whom they advanced to important offices;
as the emperors exacted engagements of fidelity from their civil magistrates. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the image of the beast.htm

"That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us. "
... commination to the law,""thou shalt die," or more easily relaxed and repealed that
sentence, and passed by the sinner without any more, than exacted so heavy ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiv that the righteousness.htm

Exacted (9 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Exact. Multi-Version Concordance Exacted (9 Occurrences). ... If I have wrongfully
exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much." (WEB WEY ASV). ...
/e/exacted.htm - 9k

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)
... was accomplished in Zaccheus is testified by his vow to give half of his goods to
the poor, and to make fourfold restitution where he had wrongfully exacted. ...
/z/zacchaeus.htm - 10k

Interest (35 Occurrences)
... thing in Israel for centuries is seen in Psalm 15:5, while Proverbs 28:8 implies
that it was an unusual thing, interest being generally exacted and profit made ...
/i/interest.htm - 21k

Tax (43 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A task exacted from one who is under control; a contribution or
service, the rendering of which is imposed upon a subject. ...
/t/tax.htm - 47k

Taxing (3 Occurrences)
... 13 Judges 1:28, 30, 33, 35 Deuteronomy 20:11 Esther 10:1); (2) massa' = "burden"
(2 Chronicles 17:11); (3) mekhec ="measure," used of tribute exacted for Yahweh ...
/t/taxing.htm - 35k

Exact (31 Occurrences)

/e/exact.htm - 18k

Youths (28 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 3:5 And the people hath exacted -- man upon man, Even a man on his neighbour,
Enlarge themselves do the youths against the aged, And the lightly ...
/y/youths.htm - 14k

Neco (9 Occurrences)
... 23:35 Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to
give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver ...
/n/neco.htm - 11k

Unjustly (11 Occurrences)
... Zacchaeus however stood up, and addressing the Lord said, "Here and now, Master,
I give half my property to the poor, and if I have unjustly exacted money from ...
/u/unjustly.htm - 9k

Loan (9 Occurrences)
... 25:35-38). At the end of seven years all debts were remitted. Of a foreigner
the loan might, however, be exacted. At a later period ...
/l/loan.htm - 16k

Exacted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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