5411. phoros

Lexicon

phoros: Tribute, tax

Original Word: φόρος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: phoros
Pronunciation: fo'-ros
Phonetic Spelling: (for'-os)
Definition: Tribute, tax
Meaning: a tax, tribute, especially on persons.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

tribute.

From phero; a load (as borne), i.e. (figuratively) a tax (properly, an individual assessment on persons or property; whereas telos is usually a general toll on goods or travel) -- tribute.

see GREEK phero

see GREEK telos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pheró
Definition
tribute
NASB Translation
tax (2), taxes (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5411: φόρος

φόρος, φόρου, ὁ (from φέρω, hence, properly, ὁ φέρεται; cf. φόβος), from Herodotus down, the Sept. for מַס and (2 Esdr. 4:20 2Esdr. 6:8; Nehemiah 5:4) for מִדָּה, tribute, especially the annual tax levied upon houses, lands, and persons (cf. Thomas Magister, Ritschl edition, p. 387, 13; Grotius as quoted in Trench, § 107:7; see τέλος, 2): φόρον, φόρους διδόναι, Καίσαρι, Luke 20:22; Luke 23:2 (1 Macc. 8:4, 7); ἀποδιδόναι, Romans 13:7; τέλειν, Romans 13:6.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb φέρω (pherō), meaning "to bring" or "to carry."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of φόρος in the Greek New Testament is similar to the Hebrew term מַס (mas, Strong's Hebrew 4522), which refers to a levy, tribute, or forced labor imposed by a king or ruling authority. This term is used in the Old Testament to describe the tributes paid by subjugated peoples to their conquerors or the labor conscripted by Israelite kings for public works.

Usage: The term φόρος is used in the New Testament to refer to taxes or tributes that are required to be paid to a ruling government or authority. It is often associated with the obligations of citizens to their governing bodies.

Context: The Greek term φόρος appears in the New Testament in contexts related to the payment of taxes or tributes to civil authorities. It is a noun that signifies a financial obligation imposed by a government. In the Roman context, φόρος was a common term for the taxes levied on provinces and individuals, which were used to support the empire's infrastructure and military.

In the New Testament, φόρος is mentioned in passages that discuss the relationship between Christians and secular authorities. For example, in Romans 13:6-7 (BSB), the Apostle Paul writes, "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." Here, φόρος is used to emphasize the Christian duty to fulfill civic responsibilities, including the payment of taxes.

Another notable mention is found in Luke 20:22 (BSB), where the Pharisees and Herodians question Jesus, "Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" The term φόρος is central to this inquiry, as it reflects the tension between Jewish religious obligations and Roman political demands. Jesus' response, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s," highlights the distinction between earthly and divine responsibilities.

The use of φόρος in the New Testament underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting governmental authority while maintaining a commitment to God's higher law. It reflects the early Christian understanding of living as responsible citizens within a secular society.

Forms and Transliterations

φόροι φορον φόρον φόρος φορόυ φόρου φορους φόρους φόρων phoron phóron phorous phórous

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 20:22 N-AMS
GRK: ἡμᾶς Καίσαρι φόρον δοῦναι ἢ
NAS: for us to pay taxes to Caesar,
KJV: for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or
INT: for us to Ceasar tribute to give or

Luke 23:2 N-AMP
GRK: καὶ κωλύοντα φόρους Καίσαρι διδόναι
NAS: to pay taxes to Caesar,
KJV: to give tribute to Caesar,
INT: and forbidding tribute to Ceasar to give

Romans 13:6 N-AMP
GRK: γὰρ καὶ φόρους τελεῖτε λειτουργοὶ
NAS: pay taxes, for [rulers] are servants
KJV: cause pay ye tribute also: for
INT: indeed also taxes pay you servants

Romans 13:7 N-AMS
GRK: τῷ τὸν φόρον τὸν φόρον
NAS: what is due them: tax to whom
KJV: their dues: tribute to whom
INT: to whom the taxes the taxes

Romans 13:7 N-AMS
GRK: φόρον τὸν φόρον τῷ τὸ
NAS: to whom tax [is due]; custom
KJV: to whom tribute [is due]; custom
INT: taxes the taxes to whom the

Strong's Greek 5411
5 Occurrences

φόρον — 3 Occ.
φόρους — 2 Occ.