Lexical Summary middah or mindah: Tribute, tax, measurement Original Word: מִדָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance toll, tribute (Aramaic) or mindah (Aramaic) {min-daw'}; corresponding to middah; tribute in money -- toll, tribute. see HEBREW middah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to middah Definition tribute NASB Translation tax (1), taxes (1), tribute (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִנְדָּה, מִדָּה (?) noun feminine tribute (Assyrian loan-word, compare Biblical Hebrew II. [מִדָּה]); — absolute ׳מִנ Ezra 4:13; Ezra 7:24 + Ezra 4:20 Baer (van d. H. Gi Str מִדָּה); construct מִדַּת Ezra 6:8. מַנְדַּע see ידע. Topical Lexicon Definition and Background Strong’s Hebrew 4061 מִדָּה appears in the Imperial Aramaic sections of Ezra and denotes a monetary levy assessed by a ruling power. English translations render it “toll,” “custom,” or “duty,” emphasizing a tax collected on goods or persons moving through the realm. While the term is fiscal, it is embedded in narratives that display God’s providential governance over political and economic structures. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Ezra 4:13 – An accusation sent to King Artaxerxes warns that if Jerusalem is rebuilt “no tribute, custom, or toll will be paid, and the royal revenue will suffer”. Historical Context Under Persian rule, provinces paid varied taxes to the royal treasury. מִדָּה referred especially to transit or market duties levied at gates, bridges, and ports. Such revenue was vital for imperial infrastructure and military campaigns. Yet the Persian policy of subsidizing local temples—seen in Cyrus’s edict (Ezra 1:1–4) and Darius’s decree (Ezra 6:8)—shows a pragmatic tolerance that the Lord used to advance His redemptive purposes. God’s Sovereignty over Economic Structures The four verses trace a dramatic reversal: opponents fear loss of מִדָּה (Ezra 4), but God turns imperial taxation into a channel for rebuilding His house (Ezra 6), and finally secures perpetual tax immunity for its servants (Ezra 7). The shift underscores Proverbs 21:1: “The king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD; He directs it wherever He pleases.” Fiscal policies—even those devised by pagan authorities—are not beyond divine orchestration. Biblical Theology of Taxation Scripture never portrays taxation as inherently evil; rather, its morality depends on purpose and administration. The appearance of מִדָּה in Ezra aligns with this pattern: taxes are legitimate tools that God can redirect for His glory. Ministry Implications 1. Trust in Divine Provision. Temple reconstruction funds flowed from imperial coffers, reminding ministries that God can supply needs through unexpected channels. Practical Application for the Church • Pray for governing leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2), asking God to shape fiscal policies that allow gospel work to flourish. Foreshadowing Christ’s Kingdom The lifting of מִדָּה on priests and Levites anticipates the freedom believers enjoy in the New Covenant. While earthly systems still levy taxes, the redeemed are “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) whose service is never hindered by spiritual tariffs. Ultimately the New Jerusalem needs no tribute, for “the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it” (Revelation 21:24), willingly offering what once had to be extracted by duty. Forms and Transliterations וּמִדָּ֥ה ומדה מִדַּת֙ מִנְדָּ֤ה מִנְדָּֽה־ מדת מנדה מנדה־ mid·daṯ midDat middaṯ min·dāh min·dāh- mindah mindāh mindāh- ū·mid·dāh umidDah ūmiddāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:13 HEB: וְשׁוּרַיָּ֖ה יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן מִנְדָּֽה־ בְל֤וֹ וַהֲלָךְ֙ NAS: they will not pay tribute, custom KJV: pay toll, tribute, INT: and the walls are finished tribute custom toll Ezra 4:20 Ezra 6:8 Ezra 7:24 4 Occurrences |
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