Topical Encyclopedia Levies, in the context of the Bible, refer to the compulsory contributions or taxes imposed upon the people, often for the support of religious institutions, the monarchy, or public works. The concept of levies is intertwined with the broader biblical themes of stewardship, obedience, and the support of God's ordained structures.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, levies were primarily associated with the support of the Levitical priesthood and the maintenance of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The Levites, who were set apart for religious duties, were supported by the tithes and offerings of the Israelites. Numbers 18:21 states, "Behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the work of the Tent of Meeting." Additionally, during the reign of King Solomon, levies were imposed for the construction of the Temple and other royal projects. 1 Kings 5:13-14 records, "Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of thirty thousand men from all Israel. He sent them to Lebanon in shifts of ten thousand per month, so that they would spend one month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor." New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of levies transitions more towards the support of the early Christian community and the broader principle of giving. While the New Testament does not explicitly mention levies in the same manner as the Old Testament, the principle of supporting religious leaders and the community is evident. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that those who serve in the temple eat of its food, and those who attend to the altar partake in the altar’s offerings? In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." Theological Implications Theologically, levies in the Bible underscore the importance of supporting God's work and those who are dedicated to His service. They reflect a communal responsibility to ensure that religious duties and societal needs are met. The practice of levies also highlights the principle of stewardship, where individuals are called to manage their resources in a way that honors God and supports His purposes. Historical and Cultural Context Historically, levies were a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often used to fund public works, military campaigns, and religious activities. In Israel, the system of tithes and offerings was unique in its religious significance, serving as a means to sustain the worship of Yahweh and the community's spiritual life. Biblical Examples Several biblical examples illustrate the use of levies. In 2 Chronicles 24:6 , King Joash instructs the Levites to collect the tax imposed by Moses for the maintenance of the Temple: "So the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said, 'Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the LORD and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?'" In Nehemiah 10:32-33 , the people of Israel commit to a yearly levy for the service of the house of God: "We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of our God each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree. It is also written in the Law that we are to bring the firstborn of our sons and of our livestock, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there." These examples demonstrate the ongoing commitment of the Israelites to support their religious institutions and leaders through levies, reflecting a broader biblical principle of communal responsibility and stewardship. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) Plural of Levy.Library Knox and the Scottish Revolution, 1559 Knox and Queen Mary (Continued): 1563-1564 Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the ... Gideon's Fleece Renewal of Hostilities Between the Romans and Persians after the ... Admission of the Fugitive Goths into the Roman Territories, which ... The Life of Captain John Paton. Knox's Intrigues, and his Account of Them, 1559 That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ... Drill and Enthusiasm Thesaurus Levies (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Levy. Multi-Version Concordance Levies (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 24:10 All the princes ... /l/levies.htm - 6k Army (401 Occurrences) Zobah (15 Occurrences) Levirate Levied (5 Occurrences) Great (10383 Occurrences) Taxing (3 Occurrences) Traitor (4 Occurrences) Tax (43 Occurrences) Alexander (5 Occurrences) Resources Levies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Levies (1 Occurrence)2 Chronicles 24:10 Subtopics Related Terms |
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