In the context of the Bible, the concept of quotas can be understood as the allocation or requirement of a specific portion or amount, often related to labor, resources, or offerings. While the term "quota" itself is not explicitly used in the biblical text, the principle is evident in various passages where specific amounts or portions are mandated or expected.

1. Quotas in Labor:

One of the most notable examples of quotas in the Bible is found in the account of the Israelites' bondage in Egypt. The Egyptians imposed harsh labor quotas on the Israelites, requiring them to produce a certain number of bricks without providing the necessary materials. This is detailed in Exodus 5:6-8 : "That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen: 'You shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. They must go and gather their own straw. But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy—that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’"

This passage illustrates the oppressive use of quotas as a means of control and punishment, highlighting the Israelites' suffering under Egyptian rule.

2. Quotas in Offerings and Tithes:

The Bible also outlines specific quotas in the form of offerings and tithes required by the Mosaic Law. The Israelites were commanded to give a tenth of their produce and livestock as a tithe to support the Levites and the work of the Tabernacle. Leviticus 27:30 states: "Thus any tithe of the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD."

This system of tithing established a quota that ensured the provision for religious services and the welfare of the Levites, who had no inheritance of land.

3. Quotas in Sacrificial System:

The sacrificial system also involved specific quotas regarding the types and numbers of animals to be offered for various sacrifices. For instance, in Numbers 28:3-4 , God commands: "And tell them that this is the offering made by fire that you are to present to the LORD: two unblemished year-old male lambs each day as a regular burnt offering. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight."

These prescribed offerings were a form of quota that maintained the regular worship and atonement practices of the Israelites.

4. Quotas in Distribution of Land:

In the allocation of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, quotas were established based on the size of each tribe. Numbers 26:52-54 describes this process: "The LORD said to Moses, 'The land is to be divided among them as an inheritance based on the number of names. Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those listed.'"

This ensured a fair distribution of land, reflecting the principle of proportional allocation.

5. Quotas in New Testament Context:

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention quotas, the principle can be seen in the early church's practice of communal sharing and support. Acts 4:34-35 describes how believers sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds according to need: "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need."

This reflects a voluntary system of meeting needs, akin to a quota based on communal responsibility and love.

In summary, while the Bible does not use the term "quota," the concept is present in various forms, from labor requirements to offerings and resource distribution, reflecting both divine mandates and human practices.

Disestablishment
... They refused also to allow the quotas called for by General Dearborn (under the
Act of Congress of April 10, 1812), for the expedition against Canada, to leave ...
/.../chapter xv disestablishment.htm

The Saybrook Platform and the Toleration Act
... She readily contributed her share for the common defense of the colonies, and
sent her loyal quotas to fight for England's territorial claims. ...
/.../chapter vii the saybrook platform.htm

The Death of Darius.
... He accordingly transmitted orders to all the peoples, nations, languages, and realms,
in all his dominions, to raise their respective quotas of troops, horses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

Quotas (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Quotas (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 4:28 Barley also
and straw for the horses and swift steeds brought they ...
/q/quotas.htm - 6k

Quota (5 Occurrences)

/q/quota.htm - 8k

Quotations

/q/quotations.htm - 40k

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