Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the concept of tribute was a significant aspect of political and economic life, often reflecting the power dynamics between nations and rulers. Tribute generally refers to a payment made by one nation or ruler to another, usually as a sign of submission or allegiance. This payment could be in the form of money, goods, or labor.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, tribute is frequently mentioned in the context of Israel's interactions with surrounding nations. For instance, during the reign of King Solomon, Israel was a dominant power, and many neighboring nations brought tribute to him, acknowledging his authority and seeking peace. 1 Kings 10:25 states, "Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, garments, weapons, spices, horses, and mules." Conversely, when Israel was subjugated by foreign powers, they were often required to pay tribute. An example of this is found in 2 Kings 17:3, where the Assyrian king Shalmaneser came up against Hoshea, the king of Israel, who became his vassal and paid him tribute. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of tribute is also present, particularly in the context of Roman rule over Judea. The Roman Empire imposed taxes and tributes on the provinces under its control, which was a source of tension among the Jewish people. This is evident in the famous account of Jesus being questioned about paying taxes to Caesar. In Matthew 22:17-21, the Pharisees and Herodians ask Jesus, "Tell us then, what is Your opinion? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" Jesus responds by saying, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." This passage highlights the distinction between earthly and divine obligations, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling civic duties while maintaining spiritual devotion. Spiritual Implications From a spiritual perspective, the concept of tribute can be seen as a metaphor for the believer's duty to honor God with their resources and lives. Just as nations paid tribute to acknowledge the authority of a ruler, Christians are called to offer their lives as a living sacrifice to God, recognizing His sovereignty and lordship. In Romans 13:6-7, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to fulfill their obligations to governing authorities, stating, "This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. 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." Conclusion The biblical concept of tribute serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing authority, both earthly and divine. It underscores the believer's responsibility to live in a manner that honors God and respects the structures of society. Smith's Bible Dictionary TributeThe chief biblical facts connected with the payment of tribute have been already given under TAXES. The tribute (money) mentioned in (Matthew 17:24,25) was the half shekel (worth from 25 to 27 cents) applied to defray the general expenses of the temple. After the destruction of the temple this was sequestrated by Vespasian and his successors and transferred to the temple of the Capitoline Jupiter. This "tribute" of (Matthew 17:24) must not be confounded with the tribute paid to the Roman emperor. (Matthew 22:17) The temple rate, though resting on an ancient precedent-- (Exodus 30:13) --was as above a fixed annual tribute of comparatively late origin. ATS Bible Dictionary TributeEvery Jew throughout the world was required to pay an annual tribute or capitation-tax of half a shekel, about twenty-five cents, in acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and for the maintenance of the temple service, Exodus 30:12-15. It was with reference to this that Christ says, in effect, Matthew 17:25,26, "If this tribute be levied in the name of The Father, then I, The Son, am free." In other New Testament passages, tribute means the tax levied by the Romans. On the question of paying tribute to foreigners and idolaters, Matthew 22:16-22, Christ gave a reply which neither party could stigmatize as rebellious, or as unpatriotic and irreligious. By themselves using Caesar's currency, both parties acknowledged the fact of his supremacy. Christ warns them to render to all men their dues; and above all to regard the claims of him whose superscription is on every thing, 1 1 Corinthians 10:31 1 Peter 2:9,13. Easton's Bible Dictionary A tax imposed by a king on his subjects (2 Samuel 20:24; 1 Kings 4:6; Romans 13:6). In Matthew 17:24-27 the word denotes the temple rate (the "didrachma, " the "half-shekel, " as rendered by the R.V.) which was required to be paid for the support of the temple by every Jew above twenty years of age (Exodus 30:12; 2 Kings 12:4; 2 Chronicles 24:6, 9). It was not a civil but a religious tax.In Matthew 22:17, Mark 12:14, Luke 20:22, the word may be interpreted as denoting the capitation tax which the Romans imposed on the Jewish people. It may, however, be legitimately regarded as denoting any tax whatever imposed by a foreign power on the people of Israel. The "tribute money" shown to our Lord (Matthew 22:19) was the denarius, bearing Caesar's superscription. It was the tax paid by every Jew to the Romans. (see PENNY.) Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one ruler or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty; as, the Romans made their conquered countries pay tribute.2. (n.) A personal contribution, as of money, praise, service, etc., made in token of services rendered, or as that which is due or deserved; as, a tribute of affection. 3. (n.) A certain proportion of the ore raised, or of its value, given to the miner as his recompense. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia TRIBUTEtrib'-ut (mac, "tribute," really meaning "forced laborers," "labor gang" (1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 9:15, 21); also "forced service," "serfdom"; possibly "forced payment" is meant in Esther 10:1; the idea contained in the modern word is better given by middah (Ezra 6:8 Nehemiah 5:4)): Words used only of the duty levied for Yahweh on acquired spoils are mekhec, "assessment" (Numbers 31:28, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41), belo, "excise" (Ezra 4:13, 10 Nehemiah 7:24), massa', "burden" (2 Chronicles 17:11), and `onesh, "fine" or "indemnity" (2 Kings 23:33; compare Proverbs 19:19). The translation "tribute" for miccath, in Deuteronomy 16:10 is wrong (compare the Revised Version margin). kensos (Matthew 22:17 Mark 12:14) = "census," while phoros (Luke 20:22; Luke 23:2 Romans 13:6, 7), signifies an annual tax on persons, houses, lands, both being direct taxes. The phoroi were paid by agriculturists, payment being made partly in kind, partly in money, and are contrasted with the tele of the publicans, while kensos is strictly a poll tax. The amount of tribute required as a poll tax by the Romans was the didrachmon (Matthew 17:24), the King James Version "tribute," the Revised Version (British and American) "half-shekel." The stater (Matthew 17:27), was a tetradrachm, "one shekel," or pay for two. After the destruction of Jerusalem, the Jews were required to pay this poll tax toward the support of the worship of Jupiter Capitolinus. Different kinds of personal taxes were raised by the Romans: TRIBUTE MONEY (to nomisma tou kensou (Matthew 22:19), "the coin used in payment of the imperial taxes"): Lit. "the lawful money of the tax," which, in the case of the poll tax, had to be paid in current coin of the realm (see Matthew 17:27). Greek 5411. phoros -- tribute ... tribute. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: phoros Phonetic Spelling: (for'-os) Short Definition: a tax, tribute Definition: a tax, tribute ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5411.htm - 6k 2778. kensos -- to muzzle 1323. didrachmon -- a double drachma Strong's Hebrew 4061. middah -- tributemiddah or mindah. 4060b, 4061. middah or mindah. 4062 . tribute. Transliteration: middah or mindah Phonetic Spelling: (mid-daw') Short Definition: tribute. ... /hebrew/4061.htm - 6k 1093. belo -- tribute 4853. massa' -- a load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute 4503. minchah -- a gift, tribute, offering 4853a. massa -- a load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute 4060b. middah -- tribute 4530. missah -- sufficiency 4060. middah -- measure, measurement, stature, size, a garment 4864. maseth -- an uprising, utterance, burden, portion 4371. mekes -- computation, proportion to be paid, tax Library Peter and the Tribute-Money. A Loyal Tribute A Tribute from Enemies D. The Question as to Paying Tribute. Ch. 20:19-26 Exaction of Tribute in Antioch, and Demolition of the Statues of ... The Tribute Money Of his Paying the Tribute Money Out of the Mouth of the Fish, an ... A Tribute Tribute to Caesar. Jesus Pays the Tribute Money. Thesaurus Tribute-silver (1 Occurrence)Tribute-silver. Tribute-service, Tribute-silver. Trick . Multi-Version Concordance Tribute-silver (1 Occurrence). 2 ... /t/tribute-silver.htm - 6k Tribute (67 Occurrences) Tribute-money (2 Occurrences) Tribute-service (1 Occurrence) Tribute-coin (1 Occurrence) Levy (19 Occurrences) Carchemish (3 Occurrences) Toll (8 Occurrences) Ehud (12 Occurrences) Presents (38 Occurrences) Resources Who was King Jehoiakim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Hoshea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ehud? | GotQuestions.org Tribute: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Tribute (67 Occurrences)Matthew 17:24 Matthew 17:25 Matthew 22:17 Matthew 22:19 Mark 12:14 Luke 20:22 Luke 23:2 Romans 13:6 Romans 13:7 Genesis 49:15 Exodus 1:11 Numbers 31:28 Numbers 31:37 Numbers 31:38 Numbers 31:39 Numbers 31:40 Numbers 31:41 Deuteronomy 16:10 Joshua 16:10 Joshua 17:13 Judges 1:28 Judges 3:15 Judges 3:17 Judges 3:18 2 Samuel 8:2 2 Samuel 8:6 2 Samuel 20:24 1 Kings 4:6 1 Kings 4:21 1 Kings 5:13 1 Kings 5:14 1 Kings 9:15 1 Kings 9:21 1 Kings 10:25 1 Kings 12:18 2 Kings 17:3 2 Kings 17:4 2 Kings 23:33 1 Chronicles 18:2 1 Chronicles 18:6 2 Chronicles 8:8 2 Chronicles 9:24 2 Chronicles 10:18 2 Chronicles 17:5 2 Chronicles 17:11 2 Chronicles 24:6 2 Chronicles 24:9 2 Chronicles 26:8 2 Chronicles 28:21 2 Chronicles 36:3 Ezra 4:13 Ezra 4:20 Ezra 6:8 Ezra 7:24 Nehemiah 5:4 Esther 10:1 Psalms 68:30 Psalms 72:10 Psalms 89:22 Proverbs 12:24 Isaiah 16:1 Isaiah 33:18 Ezekiel 27:15 Ezekiel 27:25 Daniel 11:20 Hosea 10:6 Amos 5:11 Subtopics Tribute (Taxes) by the Arabians: To Jehoshaphat Tribute (Taxes) by the Arabians: To Solomon Tribute (Taxes): from Conquered Nations Tribute: All Saints Exhorted to Pay Tribute: Christ to Avoid Offense Wrought a Miracle to Pay for Himself Tribute: Exacted from all Conquered Nations Tribute: Kings of Israel: Forbidden to Levy Unnecessary or Oppressive Tribute: Kings of Israel: Often Oppressed the People With Tribute: Kings of Israel: Set officers Over Tribute: Often Exacted in Gold and Silver Tribute: Often Exacted in Labour Tribute: Often Exacted in Produce of Land Tribute: Priests and Levites Exempted From Tribute: Roman was Paid in Roman Coin Tribute: Roman was Resisted by the Galilaeans Under Judas of Galilee Tribute: Roman: Christ Showed to the Pharisees and Herodians the Propriety Tribute: Roman: Collected by the Publicans Tribute: Roman: Decree of Augustus For Tribute: Roman: First Levied in Judea when Cyrenius Was Governor Tribute: Roman: Our Lord Falsely Accused of Forbidding to Pay Tribute: Roman: Persons Enroled For, in the Native Place of Their Tribe Tribute: Sometimes Exacted by Kings from Their own Subjects Tribute: The Jews Required to Pay Half a Shekel to God As Tribute: when Oppressive Frequently Led to Rebellion Related Terms Tribute-service (1 Occurrence) Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences) |
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