In the biblical context, the concept of tribute refers to the taxes or payments imposed by a ruling power upon a conquered nation or people. This practice is evident throughout the Scriptures, where tribute serves as a symbol of subjugation and a means of asserting dominance by the conquering entity. The payment of tribute is often seen as a tangible acknowledgment of the authority and sovereignty of the ruling power.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides numerous instances where tribute is mentioned as part of the relationship between Israel and surrounding nations. One of the earliest references is found in the account of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan. In Joshua 16:10, the Canaanites who remained in Gezer were subjected to forced labor, effectively serving as a form of tribute to the Israelites.

During the period of the Judges, the Israelites themselves were often subjected to paying tribute to foreign powers as a consequence of their disobedience to God. For example, in Judges 3:14, the Israelites served Eglon, the king of Moab, for eighteen years, paying him tribute as a sign of their subjugation.

The reign of King Solomon marks a significant period where Israel, as a dominant power, received tribute from other nations. In 1 Kings 10:25, it is recorded that "year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, garments, weapons and spices, and horses and mules." This tribute was a testament to Solomon's wisdom and the prosperity of his kingdom.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of tribute is addressed in the context of Roman rule over Judea. The Roman Empire imposed taxes on its provinces, including Judea, which were often resented by the Jewish population. This is evident in the account of the Pharisees and Herodians questioning Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar. In Matthew 22:17-21, Jesus responds, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." This statement underscores the distinction between earthly and divine obligations, acknowledging the legitimacy of paying tribute to governing authorities while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of tribute in the Bible serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the reality of living under human authority. It highlights the tension between earthly governance and divine sovereignty. While tribute is a symbol of subjugation, the Scriptures consistently point to God's ultimate authority over all nations and rulers.

The payment of tribute also serves as a call for believers to live responsibly within the structures of human governance, recognizing that all authority is established by God (Romans 13:1). It encourages Christians to fulfill their civic duties while maintaining their primary allegiance to God's kingdom.

In conclusion, the biblical concept of tribute from conquered nations reflects the complex interplay between human authority and divine sovereignty. It serves as a historical and theological reminder of the consequences of disobedience, the responsibilities of living under earthly rule, and the ultimate authority of God over all creation.Joshua 16:10
And they drove not out the Canaanites that dwelled in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, and serve under tribute.
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Judges 1:30-33
Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelled among them, and became tributaries.
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2 Kings 15:19
And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
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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 to Pharaohnechoh.
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Matthew 17:24-27
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your master pay tribute?
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Matthew 22:15-22
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
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Luke 2:1-5
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
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How Herod Made War with the King of Arabia, and after they had ...
... a long time, and having received great taxes, and raised ... that the Jews were not to
be conquered, and were ... the land that was subject to this tribute; and this ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how herod made.htm

The Reign of David.
... as vassals of the Philistines and paid tribute. ... not oppress his subjects with heavy
taxes, nor spoil ... (1) The location of the several nations conquered by David ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

The Gospel.
... the number of his subjects, so as to regulate the taxes paid by the conquered countries,
to ... fancied it was against the Divine Law to pay tribute to strangers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xx the gospel.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... of four reliefs each, each series representing the tribute brought to the Assyrian
king by kings whom he had conquered or who ... Tribute and taxes like the ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... wares with which he calculated to pay his taxes. ... we must understand the mention of
tribute from the ... at Thebes among those of the conquered nations, but these ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... The conquered population was transported elsewhere or else deprived of its ... governed
the provinces, and were responsible for the taxes and tribute, as well ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... troops which tradition computed at 800,000, conquered the eastern ... least as much money
as the tribute took out ... the defeat at Marathon, and the taxes with which ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

My Brother Fabius
... in whatever way of it, either as conquered or as ... registerings of property, taxes
in kind benevolences, taxes in money ... glory of the Lord, if by tribute we should ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/de fuga in persecutione/my brother fabius.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... the hero of the dynasty who had conquered Egypt had ... the brunt of them alone, but
other nations had not ... loyalty; the administrator paid over the tribute to the ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... recruiting of soldiers, the receipt of taxes, most of ... The tribute and spoil of Asia
and Africa, when ... intervals between two defeats the conquered could procure ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

Who was King Jehoiakim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Hoshea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ehud? | GotQuestions.org

Tribute: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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