In biblical terms, the concept of a "tributary" primarily refers to a nation or people that are subject to another, more powerful entity, often required to pay tribute as a sign of submission and allegiance. This relationship is typically characterized by the payment of goods, labor, or money to a dominant power, reflecting a hierarchical political structure common in the ancient Near East.

Old Testament Context

The notion of tributary status is prevalent in the Old Testament, where it often describes the relationship between Israel and surrounding nations. For instance, during the reign of King Solomon, Israel reached the zenith of its power and influence, and many neighboring nations became tributaries. In 1 Kings 4:21 , it is recorded, "So Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life."

The requirement for tribute was not only a political necessity but also a means of economic sustenance for the ruling kingdom. The tribute could include precious metals, livestock, agricultural produce, or other valuable commodities. This system of tribute reinforced the power dynamics between the ruling and subject nations.

Israel as a Tributary

Conversely, Israel itself was at times a tributary to foreign powers. This was often a result of military defeat or political alliances. For example, during the period of the Judges, Israel frequently found itself subjugated by surrounding nations due to its disobedience to God. In Judges 3:14 , it is noted, "The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years." This servitude often included the payment of tribute, which was a constant reminder of their subjugation and the consequences of turning away from God.

Prophetic Warnings and Promises

The prophets frequently addressed the issue of tribute, using it as a metaphor for spiritual submission and the consequences of idolatry. Isaiah, for instance, warned of the futility of relying on foreign alliances and the inevitable subjugation that would follow. In Isaiah 31:1 , the prophet declares, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the abundance of chariots and in the multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD."

Despite the negative connotations of being a tributary, the prophets also spoke of a future time when the nations would bring tribute to the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty. In Isaiah 60:11 , it is prophesied, "Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut, day or night, so that the wealth of the nations may be brought into you, with their kings being led in procession."

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not focus extensively on the concept of tributary nations, the idea of paying tribute is addressed in the context of civic duty and obedience to governing authorities. In Matthew 22:21 , Jesus famously instructs, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s." This statement underscores the principle of fulfilling obligations to earthly authorities while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God.

The Apostle Paul reiterates this teaching in Romans 13:7 , where he writes, "Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due." This reflects a broader theological understanding that while Christians are to respect and fulfill their obligations to earthly rulers, their ultimate loyalty belongs to God.

Conclusion

The concept of being a tributary in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of political and spiritual realities. It reflects the dynamics of power and submission, the consequences of disobedience, and the hope of ultimate redemption and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty by all nations.1. (a.) Paying tribute to another, either from compulsion, as an acknowledgment of submission, or to secure protection, or for the purpose of purchasing peace.

2. (a.) Hence, subject; subordinate; inferior.

3. (a.) Paid in tribute.

4. (a.) Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing; as, the Ohio has many tributary streams, and is itself tributary to the Mississippi.

5. (n.) A ruler or state that pays tribute, or a stated sum, to a conquering power, for the purpose of securing peace and protection, or as an acknowledgment of submission, or for the purchase of security.

6. (n.) A stream or river flowing into a larger river or into a lake; an affluent.

4522. mas -- body of forced laborers, forced service, taskworkers ...
... forced labor (1), taskmasters* (1), tribute (1). discomfited, levy, taskmaster,
tributary. Or mic {mees}; from macac; properly, a ...
/hebrew/4522.htm - 6k

Reign of Abgar
... I. Reign of Abgar. Reign of Abgar; Armenia becomes completely tributary to the Romans;
war with Herod's troops; his brother's son, Joseph, is killed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/i reign of abgar.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... At one time, in the days of the Judges, the Ammonites had made the Israelitish tribes
on the eastern side of the Jordan tributary to them, and had even crossed ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Cestius Sends Neopolitanus the Tribune to See in what Condition ...
... Lycians, and Cilicians, put in for liberty! But they are made tributary without
an army. What are the circumstances of the Thracians ...
/.../chapter 16 cestius sends neopolitanus.htm

Costly and Fatal Help
... frantic appeals to false gods and faithless men may still be read on the cuneiform
inscriptions, where, amidst a long list of unknown tributary kings, stands ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/costly and fatal help.htm

His Unconscious Preparation for his Work
... by the mysterious arrangement of Providence, these two lives, like streams flowing
from opposite watersheds, were one day, as river and tributary, to mingle ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter ii his unconscious preparation.htm

The Crowned Christ Reigning
... It will be the joy of the whole earth. Israel will be the first nation
of the earth, to which all others will be tributary. But ...
/.../vii the crowned christ reigning.htm

The First Delegated General Conference of 1812
... among the circuits and stations from Maine to Louisiana, and thence along the waters
of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio, and their tributary streams; the ...
/.../chapter 1 the first delegated.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... foretold, pervert God's Word, in that they greatly extol the Law of God, yet at
best do not teach its right use, but, instead of making it tributary to faith ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

Twenty-Third Day. Benevolence.
... They are "loans" to Himself"tributary streams to "the river of His pleasure;"
they will be acknowledged at last as such""Ye did it unto Me.". ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/twenty-third day benevolence.htm

The Captivity.
... Josiah, being a tributary of Babylon, thought it his duty to endeavour to stop him,
and going out to battle with him at Megiddo, was there mortally wounded ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

Tributary (9 Occurrences)
... of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a
part, branch, etc.; contributing; as, the Ohio has many tributary streams, and ...
/t/tributary.htm - 10k

Ammonites (97 Occurrences)
... They paid tribute to Jotham (2 Chronicles 27:5). After submitting to Tiglath-pileser
they were generally tributary to Assyria, but we have mention of their ...
/a/ammonites.htm - 43k

Arvad (2 Occurrences)
... Asshur-nazir-pal (circa 876) made it tributary, but it revolted and we find 200
men of Arvad mentioned among the allies of Benhadad, of Damascus, at the great ...
/a/arvad.htm - 11k

Arvadites (1 Occurrence)
... Asshur-nazir-pal (circa 876) made it tributary, but it revolted and we find 200
men of Arvad mentioned among the allies of Benhadad, of Damascus, at the great ...
/a/arvadites.htm - 10k

Ammon (100 Occurrences)
... They paid tribute to Jotham (2 Chronicles 27:5). After submitting to Tiglath-pileser
they were generally tributary to Assyria, but we have mention of their ...
/a/ammon.htm - 47k

Jordan (188 Occurrences)
... of the accumulation of the decaying vegetation of the surrounding morass, and of
the sediment brought in by the river and three tributary mountain torrents. ...
/j/jordan.htm - 70k

Dispossessed (42 Occurrences)
... 1:30 Zebulun hath not dispossessed the inhabitants of Kitron, and the inhabitants
of Nahalol, and the Canaanite dwelleth in its midst, and they become tributary...
/d/dispossessed.htm - 19k

Valley (187 Occurrences)
... thick, consisting of material which was brought down into the valley by the tributary
mountain streams descending from each side, while the water stood at this ...
/v/valley.htm - 75k

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)
... He comes first upon the scene of the Biblical history invading the land of Israel
with a large host, in which were 32 tributary kings, and horses and chariots. ...
/b/benhadad.htm - 28k

Ethiopia (26 Occurrences)
... Cambyses (525-521) made Ethiopia tributary clear to the Third Cataract(compare Ezekiel
30:4), while King Ergamenes, near the close of the 3rd century BC, broke ...
/e/ethiopia.htm - 45k

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Tributary: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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