Berean Strong's Lexicon telónion: Tax booth, tax office Original Word: τελώνιον Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word τελώνης (telónēs), meaning "tax collector." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "telónion," the concept of tax collection can be related to Hebrew terms such as מַס (mas), meaning "tribute" or "levy," which appears in contexts involving taxation or forced labor (e.g., 1 Kings 4:6). Usage: The term "telónion" refers to a place where taxes or tolls were collected. In the New Testament, it is specifically used to describe the booth or office where tax collectors, such as Matthew, conducted their business. The word is used to denote the physical location associated with the collection of taxes. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Roman Empire, tax collection was often outsourced to local contractors known as publicans or tax collectors. These individuals were responsible for collecting taxes from the populace and were often viewed with disdain by their fellow Jews, as they were seen as collaborators with the Roman occupiers. The tax booth, or "telónion," was a symbol of this unpopular profession. Tax collectors were often associated with corruption and extortion, as they frequently collected more than what was required to increase their own profits. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom telónés Definition a place of (collecting) toll NASB Translation tax (1), tax booth (2), tax collector's booth (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5058: τελώνιοντελώνιον, τελωνιου, τό (τελώνης, cf. δεκατωνιον); 1. customs, toll: Strabo 16, 1, 27. 2. toll-house, place of toll, tax-office: the place in which the tax-collector sat to collect the taxes (Wycliffe, tolbothe): Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27. Neuter of a presumed derivative of telones; a tax-gatherer's place of business -- receipt of custom. see GREEK telones Englishman's Concordance Matthew 9:9 N-ANSGRK: ἐπὶ τὸ τελώνιον Μαθθαῖον λεγόμενον NAS: sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said KJV: at the receipt of custom: and INT: at the tax booth Matthew called Mark 2:14 N-ANS Luke 5:27 N-ANS |