◄ 2778. kensos ►
Strong's Lexicon kensos: Tax, Tribute Original Word: κῆνσος Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kensos Pronunciation: KANE-sos Phonetic Spelling: (kane'-sos) Definition: a poll-tax. Meaning: A tax or tribute, specifically a poll tax or capitation tax imposed by the Roman government on its subjects. Word Origin: Derived from Latin "census," which refers to a registration or assessment of property and individuals for taxation purposes. Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for κῆνσος, as it is a term specific to the Roman taxation system. However, the concept of tribute or tax can be related to Hebrew terms such as מַס (mas, Strong's Hebrew 4522), which refers to forced labor or tribute, and מִכְסָה (mikseh, Strong's Hebrew 4371), which refers to a tax or levy. These terms reflect the broader biblical theme of taxation and tribute within the context of governance and authority. Usage: The term κῆνσος is used in the New Testament to refer to the tax that was required to be paid to the Roman authorities. It is mentioned in contexts where the payment of taxes to the ruling government is discussed. Context: The term κῆνσος appears in the New Testament in the context of discussions about the obligations of the Jewish people under Roman rule. It is notably used in the Gospels when the Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus with a question about the legality of paying taxes to Caesar. In Matthew 22:17, they ask, "Tell us then, what is Your opinion? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" Jesus responds by asking for a denarius and inquires about the image and inscription on the coin, leading to His famous reply in Matthew 22:21, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s." This passage highlights the tension between religious obligations and civic duties, illustrating the broader theme of the relationship between God's kingdom and earthly authorities. The κῆνσος was a specific type of tax that was particularly burdensome and unpopular among the Jewish people, as it symbolized their subjugation to Roman rule. The payment of this tax was a constant reminder of their lack of political autonomy. The question posed to Jesus was a deliberate attempt to force Him into a politically charged position, either alienating Him from the Jewish populace or putting Him at odds with the Roman authorities. Jesus' response skillfully navigates this trap, emphasizing the distinct yet overlapping responsibilities to both earthly and divine authorities. HELPS Word-studies 2778 kḗnsos – poll-tax; tribute-money; "literally, 'the current coin of tribute,' which was not paid in Jewish, but rather in Roman money" (WS, 71). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2778: κῆνσος κῆνσος, κήνσου, ὁ, the Latin wordcensus (among the Romans, denoting a register and valuation of property in accordance with which taxes were paid), in the N. T. (as in Cod. Just. 4, 47) the tax or tribute levied on individuals and to be paid yearly (Hesychius κῆνσος. εἶδος νομισματος, ἐπικεφάλαιον, our capitation or poll tax): Matthew 17:25; Matthew 22:17; Mark 12:14; τό νόμισμα τοῦ κήνσου, the coin with which the tax is paid, tribute money, Matthew 22:19. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tribute, poll tax Of Latin origin; properly, an enrollment ("census"), i.e. (by implication) a tax -- tribute. Forms and Transliterations κηνσον κήνσον κῆνσον κηνσου κήνσου kenson kênson kēnson kē̂nson kensou kēnsou kḗnsou Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Matthew 17:25 N-AMS GRK: τέλη ἢ κῆνσον ἀπὸ τῶν NAS: or poll-tax, from their sons KJV: custom or tribute? of their own INT: custom or tribute from the Matthew 22:17 N-AMS GRK: ἔξεστιν δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι ἢ NAS: to give a poll-tax to Caesar, KJV: to give tribute unto Caesar, INT: Is it lawful to give tribute to Ceasar or Matthew 22:19 N-GMS GRK: νόμισμα τοῦ κήνσου οἱ δὲ NAS: Me the coin [used] for the poll-tax. And they brought KJV: Shew me the tribute money. And INT: coin of the tribute and Mark 12:14 N-AMS GRK: ἔξεστιν δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι ἢ NAS: to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, KJV: to give tribute to Caesar, INT: Is it lawful to give tribute to Ceasar or Strong's Greek 2778 4 Occurrences κῆνσον — 3 Occ. κήνσου — 1 Occ.