In the context of biblical law and society, fines were monetary penalties imposed for various offenses. These fines served as a form of restitution or punishment, aiming to maintain justice and order within the community. The concept of fines is rooted in the broader biblical principles of justice, fairness, and reparation.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several instances where fines are prescribed as part of the Mosaic Law. These fines were often related to property damage, personal injury, or other civil disputes. The purpose was to compensate the victim and deter future wrongdoing.

One notable example is found in Exodus 21:22, where a fine is imposed for causing harm to a pregnant woman: "If men who are fighting strike a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely, but there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband demands and as the court allows." . This law underscores the value of life and the importance of accountability for one's actions.

In cases of theft, the law required restitution, often in the form of a fine. Exodus 22:1 states, "If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep." . The fine here serves both as a deterrent and a means of restoring what was lost.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention fines in the same legalistic sense as the Old Testament, the principles of justice and restitution continue to be emphasized. Jesus' teachings often focused on the spirit of the law rather than the letter, encouraging believers to seek reconciliation and forgiveness.

In Matthew 5:25-26, Jesus advises, "Reconcile quickly with your adversary while you are still on the way to court, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." . This passage highlights the importance of resolving disputes and the potential consequences of failing to do so.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, fines in the Bible reflect God's desire for justice and order. They serve as a tangible expression of the moral and ethical standards expected of His people. The imposition of fines underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for accountability.

Moreover, the concept of fines aligns with the broader biblical theme of restitution. In cases where harm or loss has occurred, the offender is required to make amends, reflecting the justice and mercy of God. This principle is echoed in the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized reconciliation and the restoration of relationships.

Practical Application

In contemporary Christian thought, the principles underlying biblical fines can inform modern practices of justice and restitution. While the specific legal codes of ancient Israel are not directly applicable today, the values they represent—justice, accountability, and restoration—remain relevant.

Christians are called to uphold these values in their personal and communal lives, seeking to resolve conflicts and make amends where necessary. The biblical model of fines encourages believers to take responsibility for their actions and to pursue peace and reconciliation in all relationships.FINES

finz.

See PUNISHMENTS.

The Saybrook Platform and the Toleration Act
... While the Baptists had cheerfully paid all secular taxes, they had made themselves
liable to fines and imprisonments by their refusal, on the ground of ...
/.../chapter vii the saybrook platform.htm

The Bible --The Background and the Picture.
... In the relation of the State to its citizens it taxes them for the support of
government, it fines, imprisons and puts them to death for crime. ...
/.../the biblethe background and the.htm

The First victory for Dissent
... tongue and pen. Fines and imprisonments began in earnest and were continued,
more or less frequently, for many years. Even as late ...
/.../chapter viii the first victory.htm

The Disputes of the Faithful to be Settled by the Decisions of the ...
... And some thou shalt curb by threatenings alone; some thou shalt punish with fines
to the poor; some thou shalt mortify with fastings; and others thou shalt ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec vi the disputes of the.htm

Appendix
... Twice the Court saw fit to leave, notwithstanding all former orders, all such cases
to the jurisdiction of the separate towns, to order fines, banishment, or ...
/.../greene/the development of religious liberty in connecticut/appendix.htm

Exile: Appeals for a Phinehas, and a Jehu: 1554
... If men were Catholics, and if the State was Protestant, they were liable, later,
under Knox, to fines, exile, and death; but power was not yet given to him. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter v exile appeals for.htm

Relation vi. The Vow of Obedience to Father Gratian which the ...
... could fill the soul with peace and comfort such as this: and so, whenever I think
of it, I praise our Lord, and remember the words, "posuit fines tuos pacem ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/relation vi the vow of.htm

A Burning, Fiery Furnace
... The court liked money. Arcadius was by no means indifferent to the enjoyment of
huge fines. The extravagances of Eudoxia required unlimited supplies. ...
/.../chapter lv a burning fiery.htm

Of Holy Prayer
... the pardon of his son, and his release from banishment or death; he would make many
prayers and supplications, he would give presents or pay fines to the ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xi of holy prayer.htm

His Charge of Cowardice is Baseless: for Basil Displayed the ...
... It was a time of exile, confiscation, banishment, threats of fines, danger of life,
arrests, imprisonment, scourging; nothing was too dreadful to put in force ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 12 his charge of.htm

Fines (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia FINES. finz. See PUNISHMENTS. Multi-Version
Concordance Fines (1 Occurrence). Amos 2:8 And on ...
/f/fines.htm - 6k

Finest (23 Occurrences)

/f/finest.htm - 12k

Finery (2 Occurrences)

/f/finery.htm - 7k

Finer (1 Occurrence)
... 41:7 "goldsmith.". Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) One who fines or purifies.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FINER; FINING. fin'-er ...
/f/finer.htm - 7k

Table (125 Occurrences)
... 21. (n.) The part of a machine tool on which the work rests and is fastened. 22.
(vt) To form into a table or catalogue; to tabulate; as, to table fines. 23. ...
/t/table.htm - 62k

Law (670 Occurrences)
... The Romans rarely employed imprisonment as a punishment. The imposition of fines
above a certain amount was made subject to the right of appeal. ...
/l/law.htm - 101k

Roman (26 Occurrences)
... The Romans rarely employed imprisonment as a punishment. The imposition of fines
above a certain amount was made subject to the right of appeal. ...
/r/roman.htm - 101k

What is the Wycliffe Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Does the Bible say anything about crop circles? | GotQuestions.org

Who was John Wycliffe? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus