2 Kings 15:20
New International Version
Menahem exacted this money from Israel. Every wealthy person had to contribute fifty shekels of silver to be given to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and stayed in the land no longer.

New Living Translation
Menahem extorted the money from the rich of Israel, demanding that each of them pay fifty pieces of silver to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned from attacking Israel and did not stay in the land.

English Standard Version
Menahem exacted the money from Israel, that is, from all the wealthy men, fifty shekels of silver from every man, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land.

Berean Standard Bible
Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—fifty shekels of silver from each man—to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land.

King James Bible
And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.

New King James Version
And Menahem exacted the money from Israel, from all the very wealthy, from each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and did not stay there in the land.

New American Standard Bible
Then Menahem collected the money from Israel, from all the mighty men of wealth, from each man fifty shekels of silver to pay the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria returned and did not stay there in the land.

NASB 1995
Then Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even from all the mighty men of wealth, from each man fifty shekels of silver to pay the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria returned and did not remain there in the land.

NASB 1977
Then Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even from all the mighty men of wealth, from each man fifty shekels of silver to pay the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria returned and did not remain there in the land.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even from all the mighty men of valor, from each man fifty shekels of silver to pay the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria returned and did not stay there in the land.

Amplified Bible
Menahem exacted the money from Israel, from all the wealthy, influential men, fifty shekels of silver from each man to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Menahem exacted twenty ounces of silver from each of the prominent men of Israel to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not stay there in the land.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Menahem exacted 20 ounces of silver from each of the wealthy men of Israel to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not stay there in the land.

American Standard Version
And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.

Contemporary English Version
So Menahem ordered every rich person in Israel to give him at least 50 pieces of silver, and he gave it all to Tiglath Pileser, who stopped his attack and left Israel.

English Revised Version
And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Menahem raised the money from all the wealthy men in Israel. Each gave 20 ounces of silver for the king of Assyria. Then the king of Assyria left the country.

Good News Translation
Menahem got the money from the rich men of Israel by forcing each one to contribute fifty pieces of silver. So Tiglath Pileser went back to his own country.

International Standard Version
Menahem exacted the money from all of Israel's powerful and wealthy men, 50 shekels from each, to pay the king of Aram. As a result, the king of Aram retreated and did not remain there in the land.

Majority Standard Bible
Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel?fifty shekels of silver from each man?to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land.

NET Bible
Menahem got this silver by taxing all the wealthy men in Israel; he took fifty shekels of silver from each one of them and paid it to the king of Assyria. Then the king of Assyria left; he did not stay there in the land.

New Heart English Bible
Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and did not stay there in the land.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.

World English Bible
Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even from all the mighty men of wealth, from each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and didn’t stay there in the land.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Menahem brings out the silver [from] Israel, [from] all the mighty men of wealth, to give to the king of Asshur, fifty shekels of silver for each one, and the king of Asshur turns back and has not stayed there in the land.

Young's Literal Translation
And Menahem bringeth out the silver from Israel, from all the mighty men of wealth, to give to the king of Asshur, fifty shekels of silver for each one, and the king of Asshur turneth back and hath not stayed there in the land.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Menahem will bring forth the silver upon Israel, upon all the mighty of strength, to give to the king of Assyria fifty shekels of silver to one man. And the king of Assyria turned back and stood not there in the land.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Manahem laid a tax upon Israel, on all that were mighty and rich, to give the king of the Assyrians, each man fifty sides of silver: so the king of the Assyrians turned back, and did not stay in the land.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Menahem proclaimed a tax upon Israel, on all who were powerful and wealthy, so that each one would give to the king of the Assyrians fifty shekels of silver. Then the king of the Assyrians turned back, and he did not remain in the land.

New American Bible
Menahem paid out silver on behalf of Israel, that is, for all the people of substance, by giving the king of Assyria fifty shekels of silver for each one. So the king of Assyria went home and did not stay in the land.

New Revised Standard Version
Menahem exacted the money from Israel, that is, from all the wealthy, fifty shekels of silver from each one, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and did not stay there in the land.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Menahem levied taxes upon Israel, even on all wealthy men of the land, each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and stayed not there in the land.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Makhanim raised against Israel money against all the rich of the land, to give to the King of Assyria fifty shekels of silver for each man, and the King of Assyria returned and did not stay there in the land.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Manaem raised the silver by a tax upon Israel, even on every mighty man in wealth, to give to the king of the Assyrians, fifty shekels levied on each man; and the king of the Assyrians departed, and remained not there in the land.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Menahem Reigns in Israel
19Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom. 20Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel— fifty shekels of silver from each man— to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land. 21As for the rest of the acts of Menahem, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?…

Cross References
2 Kings 23:35
So Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh Neco, but to meet Pharaoh’s demand he taxed the land and exacted the silver and the gold from the people, each according to his wealth.

2 Kings 12:18
So King Joash of Judah took all the sacred objects dedicated by his fathers—Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, the kings of Judah—along with his own consecrated items and all the gold found in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram. So Hazael withdrew from Jerusalem.

2 Kings 16:8
Ahaz also took the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s palace, and he sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria.

2 Chronicles 28:21
Although Ahaz had taken a portion from the house of the LORD, from the royal palace, and from the princes and had presented it to the king of Assyria, it did not help him.

2 Kings 18:14-16
So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand from me.” And the king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. / Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. / At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold with which he had plated the doors and doorposts of the temple of the LORD, and he gave it to the king of Assyria.

2 Kings 23:33-34
And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. / Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died.

2 Chronicles 36:3
And the king of Egypt dethroned him in Jerusalem and imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.

Isaiah 36:8
Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!

2 Kings 17:3-4
Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute. / But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired to send envoys to King So of Egypt, and that he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and put him in prison.

2 Kings 24:1
During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded. So Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years, until he turned and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.

2 Kings 24:12-14
Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive. / As the LORD had declared, Nebuchadnezzar also carried off all the treasures from the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD. / He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained.

Matthew 17:24-27
After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?” / “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?” / “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. ...

Matthew 22:17-21
So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” / But Jesus knew their evil intent and said, “You hypocrites, why are you testing Me? / Show Me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. ...

Luke 20:22-25
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” / But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them, / “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they answered. ...

Romans 13:6-7
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.


Treasury of Scripture

And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.

Menahem

2 Kings 23:35
And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaohnechoh.

exacted [heb] cause to come forth

Ruth 2:1
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

2 Samuel 19:32
Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.

Job 1:3
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

of each man, etc.

stayed not

2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

2 Kings 17:3,4
Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents…

2 Kings 18:14-17
And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold…

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Assyria Exacted Fifty Israel Menahem Mighty Money Shekels Silver Turned Wealth
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Assyria Exacted Fifty Israel Menahem Mighty Money Shekels Silver Turned Wealth
2 Kings 15
1. Azariah's good reign
5. He dying a leper, is succeeded by Jotham
8. Zachariah the last of Jehu's generation, reigning ill, is slain by Shallum
13. Shallum, reigning a month, is slain by Nenahem
16. Menahem strengthens himself by Pul
21. Pekahiah succeeds him
23. Pekahiah is slain by Pekah
27. Pekah is oppressed by Tiglath-pileser, and slain by Hoshea
32. Jotham's good reign
36. Ahaz succeeds him














Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—
Menahem, the king of Israel, is depicted as a ruler who imposed a heavy tax on the wealthy citizens of his kingdom. This action reflects the political and economic pressures of the time, as Israel was under threat from the powerful Assyrian Empire. The wealthy men of Israel were likely landowners or merchants who had the means to pay such a levy. This taxation can be seen as a form of tribute, a common practice in the ancient Near East, where vassal states paid their overlords to maintain peace and avoid military conflict.

fifty shekels of silver from each man—
The amount of fifty shekels of silver was a significant sum, indicating the severity of the financial burden placed on the wealthy. In biblical times, a shekel was a unit of weight, and silver was a valuable commodity. This levy would have been a substantial financial sacrifice for those required to pay it. The use of silver as currency highlights the economic systems in place during this period and the reliance on precious metals for trade and tribute.

to give to the king of Assyria.
The tribute was intended for the king of Assyria, who at this time was likely Tiglath-Pileser III. Assyria was a dominant military power, and its kings often demanded tribute from neighboring states to ensure their submission and loyalty. This payment was a political maneuver by Menahem to secure his reign and protect Israel from Assyrian aggression. The relationship between Israel and Assyria during this period was complex, involving diplomacy, tribute, and at times, conflict.

So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land.
The payment of tribute achieved its intended purpose, as the Assyrian king withdrew his forces and did not occupy Israel. This withdrawal indicates that the tribute was accepted as a satisfactory means of appeasement. It reflects the geopolitical strategies of the time, where smaller states like Israel navigated the threats posed by larger empires through diplomacy and financial concessions. This event underscores the precarious nature of Israel's political situation and the lengths to which its leaders went to maintain sovereignty.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Menahem
King of Israel who reigned during a turbulent period marked by political instability and external threats. He is known for his harsh rule and for exacting tribute to appease foreign powers.

2. Wealthy Men of Israel
The affluent individuals in Israel from whom Menahem collected a significant tribute to pay off the Assyrian king. Their wealth made them targets for such levies.

3. King of Assyria
The foreign ruler to whom Menahem paid tribute. Assyria was a dominant empire during this period, often exerting pressure on smaller neighboring states like Israel.

4. Fifty Shekels of Silver
The amount of money each wealthy man was required to pay. This was a substantial sum, reflecting the heavy burden placed on the people to secure political peace.

5. Tribute Payment
The event of collecting and paying tribute to the Assyrian king, which temporarily secured peace for Israel but also demonstrated the nation's subjugation and reliance on foreign powers.
Teaching Points
The Cost of Compromise
Menahem's decision to pay tribute to Assyria reflects a compromise that brought temporary peace but at a significant cost. Believers are encouraged to consider the long-term consequences of compromising their values for short-term gains.

The Burden of Wealth
The wealthy men of Israel bore the financial burden of the tribute. This serves as a reminder that material wealth can bring additional responsibilities and challenges, and believers should use their resources wisely and for God's glory.

Trust in God Over Man
Israel's reliance on Assyria instead of God highlights the danger of placing trust in human solutions over divine guidance. Christians are called to seek God's wisdom and provision in times of trouble.

Leadership and Responsibility
Menahem's leadership choices had significant impacts on his people. This underscores the importance of godly leadership and the responsibility leaders have to seek God's will for the welfare of those they lead.(20) Exacted.--Literally, caused to go out; a word already used in the sense of to lay out, expend money (2Kings 12:12). Probably, therefore, laid (vayyiss?), i.e., imposed, should be read here (Genesis 31:17).

Of.--Heb., upon.

The mighty men of wealth.--A later use of the Hebrew phrase, which, in older parlance, means "the heroes of the host" (Judges 6:12; 1Samuel 9:1).

Fifty shekels.--The talent of silver was worth 3,000 shekels. The payment of 1,000 talents (3,000,000 shekels) therefore implies a total of 60,000 persons able to contribute. Fifty shekels were one maneh (Assyrian, mana; Greek, ???, and Latin, mina). There was no great Temple treasury to draw from in the northern kingdom, and any palace hoards would have disappeared in the confusions attending the frequent revolutions of the time. . . .

Verse 20. - And Menahem exacted the money of Israel. Either he was not possessed of any accumulated treasure, such as the kings of Judah could commonly draw upon (1 Kings 15:18; 2 Kings 12:18; 2 Kings 16:8; 2 Kings 18:15, 16), or he thought it more prudent to keep his stores untouched, and obtain the money from his subjects. Even of all the mighty men of wealth. The context shows this to be the meaning; and the rendering is justified by Ruth 2:1; 1 Samuel 9:1. "Mighty men of valor" cannot possibly be intended. Of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the King of Assyria. Fifty shekels was a heavy tax, not less than £5 or £6 of our money. To produce a thousand talents, this tax had to be levied on some sixty thousand persons. Tiglath-pileser mentions his receipt of tribute from "Minikhimmi of Tsammirin" (Menahem of Someron or Samaria), but does not tell us the amount (see 'Epouym Canon,' p. 120, line 29). So the King of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. Kings of Assyria usually returned home at the end of each campaign, and wintered in their own territory.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Menahem
מְנַחֵ֨ם (mə·na·ḥêm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4505: Menahem -- 'comforter', king of Northern Israel

exacted
וַיֹּצֵא֩ (way·yō·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

this money
הַכֶּ֜סֶף (hak·ke·sep̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

from
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

each
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

of the wealthy
הַחַ֔יִל (ha·ḥa·yil)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

men
גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י (gib·bō·w·rê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

of Israel—
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

fifty
חֲמִשִּׁ֧ים (ḥă·miš·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fifty

shekels
שְׁקָלִ֛ים (šə·qā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8255: A weight, a commercial standard

of silver
כֶּ֖סֶף (ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

from each
אֶחָ֑ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

man—
לְאִ֣ישׁ (lə·’îš)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

to give
לָתֵת֙ (lā·ṯêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to the king
לְמֶ֣לֶךְ (lə·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Assyria.
אַשּׁ֔וּר (’aš·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur

So the king
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Assyria
אַשּׁ֔וּר (’aš·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur

withdrew
וַיָּ֙שָׁב֙ (way·yā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

and did not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

remain
עָ֥מַד (‘ā·maḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

in the land.
בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ (bā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT History: 2 Kings 15:20 Menahem exacted the money of Israel even (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 15:19
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