Original Word: מֶכֶס
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mekec
Pronunciation: meh'-kes
Phonetic Spelling: (meh'-kes)
Definition: an assessment
Meaning: An assessment, specifically referring to a tax or levy imposed on goods or individuals.

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb כָּסַס (kasas), which means "to assess" or "to estimate."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The corresponding Greek term in the Strong's Concordance is G5056 (τέλος, telos), which can mean "end," "goal," or "tax." In the New Testament, τέλος is used in contexts that involve the payment of taxes or duties, similar to the Hebrew מֶכֶס. This connection highlights the continuity of taxation practices from the Hebrew Bible into the Greco-Roman world of the New Testament.

Usage: The term מֶכֶס is used in the context of taxation or tribute, often referring to the collection of duties or tolls. It appears in the Hebrew Bible in contexts where a levy or tax is imposed on goods or people.

Context: • מֶכֶס (mekes) is a noun masculine used in the Hebrew Bible to denote a form of tax or tribute. It is associated with the practice of levying duties on goods, often at points of entry or trade routes. This term is indicative of the economic practices in ancient Israel and surrounding regions, where taxation was a common means of generating revenue for the state or ruling authorities.
• In the biblical context, מֶכֶס is mentioned in passages that describe the imposition of taxes by foreign powers or local authorities. It reflects the socio-political dynamics of the time, where taxation was a tool for control and resource management.
• The concept of מֶכֶס is closely related to the administration of justice and governance, as it involves the regulation of commerce and the collection of resources necessary for the functioning of the state.
• The term is found in the context of historical narratives and legal texts, providing insight into the economic and administrative structures of ancient societies.

Word Origin
from kasas
Definition
computation, proportion to be paid, tax
NASB Translation
levy (5), tax (1).

מֶ֫כֶס noun masculine computation, proportion to be paid, tax (Palmyrene מכסא Reckend^{ZMG 1885, 379 ff.}; Late Hebrew מֶכֶס, Aramaic מִכְסָא, tax (hence Arabic as loan-word Frä²⁸³); Assyrian miksu, Dl^{HWB 407} (√ מכס); Late Hebrew מוֺכֵס tax-collector; so Assyrian makkasu, compare Arabic ) — Numbers 31:28 ׳לי ׳זַהֲרֵמֹתָ֫ מ and thou shalt separate a tax (duty levied on the spoil) for ׳י, Numbers 31:37; Numbers 31:38; Numbers 31:39; Numbers 31:40; Numbers 31:41 (all P).

tribute

Probably from an unused root meaning to enumerate; an assessment (as based upon a census) -- tribute.

הַמֶּ֥כֶס המכס וּמִכְסָ֥ם וּמִכְסָם֙ ומכסם מֶ֙כֶס֙ מֶ֜כֶס מכס ham·me·ḵes hamMeches hammeḵes me·ḵes Meches meḵes ū·miḵ·sām umichSam ūmiḵsāmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts