Tribute.

• 1 min. read • grade level: 11

Sometimes exacted by kings from their own subjects. 1 Sam. 8:1017.

Exacted from all conquered nations. Josh. 16:10¹⁰And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute. (Joshua 16:10). Judg. 1:30, 33, 35³⁰Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries. (Judges 1:30)
³³Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, nor the inhabitants of Beth-anath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and of Beth-anath became tributaries unto them. (Judges 1:33)
³⁵But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries. (Judges 1:35). 2 Kin. 23:33, 35.

OFTEN EXACTED IN

Labor. 1 Kin. 5:13, 14. (marg.) 1 Kin. 9:15:21.

Produce of land, &c. 1 Sam. 8:15¹⁵And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. (1 Samuel 8:15). 1 Kin. 4:7.

Gold and silver. 2 Kin. 23:33, 35.

The Jews required to pay half a shekel to God as. Ex. 30:12-16¹²When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. ¹³This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the Lord. ¹⁴Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord. ¹⁵The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. ¹⁶And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. (Exodus 30:12‑16).

Christ to avoid offense wrought a miracle to pay, for Himself and Peter. Matt. 17:24-27²⁴And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? ²⁵He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? ²⁶Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. ²⁷Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. (Matthew 17:24‑27).

KINGS OF ISRAEL

Forbidden to levy unnecessary or oppressive. Deut. 17:17¹⁷Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. (Deuteronomy 17:17).

Set officers over. 2 Sam. 20:24²⁴And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder: (2 Samuel 20:24). 1 Kin. 4:6, 7.

Often oppressed the people with. 1 Kin. 12:4, 11.

When oppressive frequently led to rebellion. 1 Kin. 12:14-20.

Priests and Levites exempted from. Ezra 7:24²⁴Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them. (Ezra 7:24).

ROMAN,

Decree of Augustus for. Luke 2:1¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (Luke 2:1).

First levied in Judea when Cyrenius was governor. Luke 2:2²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) (Luke 2:2).

Persons enrolled for, in the native place of their tribe and family. Luke 2:3-5³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. (Luke 2:3‑5).

Collected by the Publicans. Luke 3:12, 13¹²Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? ¹³And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. (Luke 3:12‑13). Luke 5:27²⁷And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. (Luke 5:27).

Was paid in Roman coin. Matt. 22:19, 20¹⁹Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. ²⁰And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? (Matthew 22:19‑20).

Was resisted by the Galileans under Judas of Galilee. Acts 5:37³⁷After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. (Acts 5:37), with Luke 13:1¹There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. (Luke 13:1).

Christ showed to the Pharisees and Herodians the propriety of paying. Matt. 22:15-22¹⁵Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. ¹⁶And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. ¹⁷Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? ¹⁸But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? ¹⁹Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. ²⁰And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? ²¹They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. ²²When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. (Matthew 22:15‑22). Mar. 12:13-17.

Our Lord falsely accused of forbidding to pay. Luke 23:2²And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. (Luke 23:2).

All saints exhorted to pay. Rom. 13:6, 7⁶For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. ⁷Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:6‑7).

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