Exaction refers to the act of demanding and collecting payment or tribute, often with an implication of harshness or unfairness. In biblical contexts, exaction is frequently associated with the imposition of burdensome taxes or forced labor, often by those in positions of power. The concept is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting both the moral and social implications of such practices.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, exaction is often linked to the oppression of the poor and vulnerable by those in authority. The Mosaic Law contains specific instructions to prevent the exploitation of the needy. For instance, in Exodus 22:25, the Israelites are commanded, "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest." This directive underscores the importance of compassion and fairness in financial dealings.

The prophets frequently condemned the practice of exaction as a form of social injustice. In Isaiah 58:6, the prophet calls for the breaking of every yoke, which includes the unjust demands placed upon the people: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" This passage highlights the divine expectation for justice and mercy, contrasting it with the oppressive practices of exaction.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the issue of exaction is addressed in the context of the Roman occupation of Judea, where tax collectors were often seen as agents of oppression. These individuals, such as Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10, were notorious for collecting more than what was required, enriching themselves at the expense of their fellow Jews. Zacchaeus's encounter with Jesus led to his repentance and restitution, as he declared, "Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold" (Luke 19:8). This account illustrates the transformative power of repentance and the call to rectify injustices.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The biblical treatment of exaction emphasizes the importance of justice, mercy, and integrity in all dealings. The Scriptures consistently advocate for the protection of the poor and the fair treatment of all individuals, warning against the abuse of power and the exploitation of others. In Micah 6:8, the prophet succinctly summarizes the divine requirement: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the necessity of taxes and contributions for the functioning of society, it condemns the practice of exaction when it becomes a tool of oppression and injustice. Believers are called to reflect God's character in their interactions, ensuring that their actions promote equity and compassion.1. (n.) The act of demanding with authority, and compelling to pay or yield; compulsion to give or furnish; a levying by force; a driving to compliance; as, the exaction to tribute or of obedience; hence, extortion.

2. (n.) That which is exacted; a severe tribute; a fee, reward, or contribution, demanded or levied with severity or injustice.

EXACTION

eg-zak'-shun:

(1) mashsha' (Nehemiah 10:31), a demand for money lent on pledge, which the Jews agreed to forego in the seventh year;

(2) gerushah (Ezekiel 45:9, "your exactions," the Revised Version, margin "expulsions"), eviction from house and home.

4855. mashsha -- lending on interest, usury
... usury. Word Origin from nasha Definition lending on interest, usury NASB
Word Usage exaction (1), usury (2). exaction, usury. From ...
/hebrew/4855.htm - 6k

1646. gerushah -- expulsion, violence
... exaction. Feminine passive participle of garash; (abstractly) dispossession -- exaction.
see HEBREW garash. 1645, 1646. gerushah or gerushah. 1647 . ...
/hebrew/1646.htm - 6k

Exaction of Tribute in Antioch, and Demolition of the Statues of ...
... Book VII. Chapter XXIII."Exaction of Tribute in Antioch, and Demolition of the Statues
of the Emperor. Embassy headed by Flavian the Chief Priest. ...
/.../chapter xxiii exaction of tribute in.htm

That the Vows of those in Holy Orders and of Monks, and of Nuns ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XIX. That the vows of those in holy orders and
of monks, and of nuns are to be made without the exaction of gifts. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xix that the vows.htm

Letter Lxxxviii. Without Address on the Subject of the Exaction of ...
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter LXXXVIII. Without
address on the subject of the exaction of taxes. Your ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter lxxxviii without address on.htm

The Sixth Clause.
... a figure of guilt; because it is equally due to the sentence of judgment, and is
exacted by it: nor does it evade the justice of exaction, unless the exaction ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on prayer/chapter vii the sixth clause.htm

Letter Xcviii. To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata.
... nothing about Palmatius, and supposes that by "persecutions" are meant not persecutions
in the ecclesiastical sense, but severities in the exaction of tribute. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xcviii to eusebius bishop.htm

Epistle Xliv. To Peter, Subdeacon of Sicily.
... We have also ascertained that on some estates [1347] of the Church a most unjust
exaction is practised, in that three and a half [modii] in seventy are ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xliv to peter subdeacon.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... God knows only complete forgiveness or complete exaction. ... A literal exaction of the
demands of this precept would turn the church into a hospital. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 4.htm

Preface to the Benedictine Edition.
... cause of this great sedition was, according to the testimony of Zosimus, excess
of taxation, which was daily inventing new imposts; an exaction required either ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/preface to the benedictine edition.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... From the time of Narses, during all the two hundred years of Lombard assault and
Byzantine neglect and exaction, the Pope alone, watchful and unceasingly active ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

Full Redemption
... subjected hem to the most rigorous tasks; they worked under the whip continually,
and had to make bricks without straw, the hardest possible exaction that even ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/full redemption.htm

Exaction (2 Occurrences)
... with authority, and compelling to pay or yield; compulsion to give or furnish; a
levying by force; a driving to compliance; as, the exaction to tribute or of ...
/e/exaction.htm - 7k

Exact (31 Occurrences)
... to compel to yield or to furnish; hence, to wrest, as a fee or reward when none
is due; -- followed by from or of before the one subjected to exaction; as, to ...
/e/exact.htm - 18k

Exacting (5 Occurrences)

/e/exacting.htm - 8k

Neighbor (123 Occurrences)
... Conduct which was prohibited between fellow-Jews was permitted toward a foreigner,
eg the exaction of interest (Deuteronomy 23:19, 20). ...
/n/neighbor.htm - 41k

Usury (17 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. USURY. u'-zhu-ri: 1. In the Old Testament: The
Hebrew law concerning exaction of interest upon loans was very humane. ...
/u/usury.htm - 15k

Loan (9 Occurrences)
... Yet the exaction of it from a Hebrew was regarded as discreditable (Psalm 15:5;
Proverbs 6:1, 4; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 27:13; Jeremiah 15:10). ...
/l/loan.htm - 16k

Lending (4 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 5:10 And I likewise, my brethren and my servants, have lent them money
and corn. I pray you, let us leave off this exaction. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lending.htm - 7k

Wares (23 Occurrences)
... the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy of them on the Sabbath, or on a holy
day; and that we would forego the seventh year, and the exaction of every ...
/w/wares.htm - 15k

Imposition (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) An excessive, arbitrary, or unlawful exaction; hence, a trick or deception
put on laid on others; cheating; fraud; delusion; imposture. ...
/i/imposition.htm - 11k

Forgo (1 Occurrence)
... the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy of them on the sabbath, or on a holy
day; and that we would forego the seventh year, and the exaction of every ...
/f/forgo.htm - 7k

Exaction: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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