Topical Bible: Tax: Stoned

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In the context of biblical law and society, the concept of taxation and the severe punishment of stoning intersect in a few notable instances. Taxation in ancient Israel was a means of supporting the theocratic government and religious institutions, while stoning was a form of capital punishment prescribed for certain transgressions under Mosaic Law.

Taxation in Ancient Israel

Taxation in ancient Israel was primarily for the support of the Levitical priesthood, the maintenance of the temple, and the welfare of the community. The tithe, a form of tax, was a tenth of one's produce or earnings, dedicated to God and given to the Levites (Leviticus 27:30-33). Additionally, there were other offerings and taxes, such as the temple tax, which was used for the upkeep of the temple (Exodus 30:13-16).

Stoning as a Punishment

Stoning was a method of execution prescribed for various offenses in the Old Testament. It was a communal act, symbolizing the collective judgment and purity of the community. Crimes warranting stoning included idolatry (Deuteronomy 17:2-5), blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16), and certain sexual sins (Deuteronomy 22:23-24).

Intersection of Taxation and Stoning

While there is no direct biblical account of stoning specifically for tax-related offenses, the principles of justice and communal responsibility underpin both practices. The seriousness with which the law was upheld in ancient Israel reflects the gravity of maintaining societal order and religious fidelity.

In the New Testament, the issue of taxation is addressed in the context of Roman rule. Jesus' teaching on paying taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:17-21) highlights the distinction between civic duty and spiritual obligation. The New Testament does not prescribe stoning for tax evasion or related offenses, reflecting a shift from the Mosaic Law to the principles of grace and forgiveness through Christ.

Biblical References

· Tithing and Offerings: "A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD." (Leviticus 27:30)
· Temple Tax: "Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD." (Exodus 30:13)
· Stoning for Idolatry: "If there is found among you...a man or woman who does evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant...then you must bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death." (Deuteronomy 17:2-5)
· Jesus on Taxes: "So give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s." (Matthew 22:21)

The biblical narrative underscores the importance of obedience to God's laws and the role of communal justice, while the New Testament introduces a new covenant of grace, emphasizing the heart's transformation over strict legal adherence.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 10:18
Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Jesus Fights Wrong in the Temple
... But the tax-gatherers and sinners believed him; and even when you saw, you ... of the
vineyard, but they took the servants and flogged one, stoned another, and ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus fights wrong in the.htm

Theodosius.
... He had laid a tax on the people of Antioch, which made them so angry ... the governor,
upon which the people flew out in a fury, and actually stoned the magistrate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxvi theodosius.htm

The Agony, and the Consoler
... Indeed, multitudes now pressed forward, anxious to pay the tax at once ... the fate of
some of their comrades who during the riot had been beaten or stoned to death ...
/.../chapter iii the agony and.htm

The Rending of the Kingdom
... The extravagance of Solomon's reign during his apostasy had led him to tax the people
heavily and to require of them much menial ... "All Israel stoned him with ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 6 the rending of.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, "When Jesus had Finished These Sayings ...
... And even now He bears to be stoned, not only by those who deal ... and Lawyers question
Him about perfection, and the Herodians about the poll-tax, and others ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxvii on the words.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... the man in of the cities of refuge, or order him to be stoned to death. ... freedmen
or slaves, and sometimes natives of the province in which the tax was collected ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 4.htm

Second Sunday Before Lent
... I forty stripes save one.25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice
I ... Ye have done nothing for me in return, and I have been no tax upon you. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday before lent.htm

The Maritime Itinerant.
... who as a preacher in the United States, had been stoned, imprisoned, and ... Annapolis,
Granville, Digby, Horton and Windsor, a field sufficient to tax the powers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/iii the maritime itinerant.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... trees, a royal monopoly of salt and of the forests, and even a tax on the ... intercede
either for one or the other of the rival brothers, he was stoned to death ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

Of Miracles which were Wrought that the World Might Believe in ...
... these were the last words of the most blessed Stephen when he was stoned by the ... There,
too, the son of a man, Iren??us, one of our tax-gatherers, took ill and ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 of miracles which were.htm