Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5577 taxation
Any form of payment levied on people by a supervising authority.
Taxation exacted from subject nations
Tribute to Moab
Judges 3:15,17-18
Tribute to David
2 Samuel 8:2 pp 1 Chronicles 18:2; 2 Samuel 8:6 pp 1 Chronicles 18:6
Tribute to Solomon
1 Kings 4:21
Tribute to Assyria
2 Kings 17:3; Hosea 10:6
Tribute to Egypt
2 Kings 23:33 pp 2 Chronicles 36:3
Tribute to Judah
2 Chronicles 17:11; 2 C 8; Isaiah 16:1
Tribute to Persia
Esther 10:1
Universal tribute
Psalm 72:10 Universal tribute means universal reign. This psalm is widely regarded as Messianic.
Refusal to pay tribute was a sign of rebellion
See also 2 Kings 17:4; Ezra 4:13
Taxation for the support of the state
Land tax
2 Kings 23:35 See also Genesis 41:34; Nehemiah 5:4
Census tax
Exodus 30:11-16; Luke 2:1
Trade tax
1 Kings 10:14-15 pp 2 Chronicles 9:13-14
Such levies may be unjustly burdensome
1 Samuel 8:10-18 See also Daniel 11:20
Covenantal taxation: the tithe
Tithing prescribed
Leviticus 27:30-33 As part of their covenantal obligations the Israelites were commanded to offer a tenth of their income to the LORD. See also Genesis 14:20
The tithe supported the priests and the poor
Numbers 18:21 See also Deuteronomy 14:28-29
The tithe often seems to have been neglected
Malachi 3:8-10 See also 2 Chronicles 31:4
Taxation for the support of the temple
Matthew 17:24-26 See also 2 Chronicles 24:4-12 pp 2 Kings 12:4-5
Jesus Christ and taxation
Jesus Christ was falsely accused of opposing taxation
Luke 23:1-2
He himself paid tax
Matthew 17:24-27
He commanded others to pay taxes
Matthew 22:15-22 pp Mark 12:13-17 pp Luke 20:20-26
Believers and taxation
Paying taxes demonstrates submission to God
Romans 13:1,5-6; 1 Peter 2:13
Paying taxes should silence unjust criticism
Romans 13:3; 1 Peter 2:15
Paying taxes is reimbursement for services rendered
Matthew 22:15-22 “Give” in verse 21 means “give back as in settlement of a debt”; Romans 13:7
See also
4206 land 5215 authority 5249 census 5289 debt 5347 injustice 5446 poverty 5576 tax collectors 5594 tribute 7766 priests 8453 obedience 8488 tithing 8790 oppression
