Topical Bible: Kings: Their Revenues Derived From: Tax on Produce of the Land

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In the ancient Near Eastern context, including the biblical narrative, the economic structure of a kingdom was heavily reliant on agriculture. The produce of the land served as a primary source of revenue for kings, who imposed taxes on the agricultural yield to sustain their rule and fund governmental functions. This practice is evident in various passages of the Bible, reflecting the socio-economic realities of the time.

The concept of taxing the produce of the land is first introduced in the context of Israel's transition from a theocratic confederation of tribes to a centralized monarchy. In 1 Samuel 8:14-15, the prophet Samuel warns the Israelites about the implications of having a king: "He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your grain and vintage and give it to his officials and servants." . This passage highlights the expectation that a king would claim a portion of the agricultural produce as a form of taxation.

The taxation system was not merely a burden but also a means of organizing and stabilizing the kingdom's economy. In the reign of Solomon, the prosperity of the kingdom is partly attributed to the efficient management of resources, including the taxation of produce. 1 Kings 4:7 mentions, "Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each one made provision for one month of the year." . This system ensured a steady supply of resources to the royal court and facilitated the administration of the kingdom.

The taxation on produce also served as a means of redistributing resources and maintaining the king's favor among his subjects. In 2 Chronicles 31:5, during the reign of Hezekiah, the people of Israel responded to the king's reforms by bringing in "the firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and all the produce of the fields. And they brought a great amount, a tithe of everything." . This act of giving not only supported the religious and governmental institutions but also reinforced the covenantal relationship between the king, the people, and God.

The taxation of produce was not unique to Israel but was a common practice among neighboring nations. However, the biblical narrative often emphasizes the moral and ethical dimensions of such taxation. Kings were expected to rule with justice and righteousness, ensuring that the burden of taxation did not lead to oppression or exploitation. The prophets frequently admonished the kings of Israel and Judah for failing to uphold these principles, as seen in passages like Isaiah 10:1-2, where the prophet condemns those who "enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees."

In summary, the taxation of the produce of the land was a fundamental aspect of the economic and administrative structure of ancient Israelite monarchy. It provided necessary resources for the functioning of the kingdom while also serving as a reflection of the king's responsibility to govern with justice and equity. The biblical narrative presents this practice within the broader context of covenantal faithfulness and the ethical obligations of leadership.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 4:7-19
And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... time of the kings (for example, 1 Kings 12:18 ... For, ever since their return from Babylon,
the Jews must ... kindly, and that they applied the revenues derived from it ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... forest to which the priests and kings alone had ... Shushinak is an adjective derived
from the ... of the priests by piously augmenting their revenues, and throughout ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Prolegomena.
... the churches, and the poor"of the revenues of the ... Theodebert and Theoderic, the two
boy-kings of Austrasia and of Burgundy, and to their powerful grandmother ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/prolegomena.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... of Ephorus, preserved in Diodorus, is derived from an ... the Halys"and they were
practically kings in all ... secretary were supposed to exercise over their actions ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... not from his great-grandfather, that Harmhabi derived his indisputable ... in the vesture
of earthly kings and queens: they brandished their arms, displayed ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... and from which he drew the revenues; the other ... The kings, the vicegerents, the temple
administration, and the ... numbers in the construction of their buildings or ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... but when His wrath was appeased, the heavens again poured their fruitful showers ...
Simeon is derived by some ... Deborah (Judges v.4, 5), and also in 1 Kings xix.11 ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... serviceable as a Christian.'[32] 'Let kings have that ... with the light and heat of
their sun ... if not all, inquiring souls, and which frequently produce much anxiety ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm