Topical Bible: Silver: Tribute often Paid In

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Silver, a precious metal highly valued in ancient times, frequently appears in the Bible as a medium of exchange and a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Its use as a form of tribute is well-documented throughout the Scriptures, reflecting its importance in economic and political transactions.

In the ancient Near East, silver was commonly used to pay tribute to foreign powers or rulers. This practice is evident in several biblical accounts, where silver serves as a tangible representation of subjugation or allegiance. One notable instance is found in 2 Kings 15:19-20, where Menahem, king of Israel, pays tribute to Pul, the king of Assyria, to secure his support and strengthen his hold on the throne: "Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave him a thousand talents of silver to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom. Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—fifty shekels of silver from each man—to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land."

Similarly, in 2 Kings 16:8, King Ahaz of Judah sends silver and gold from the temple and royal treasury to the king of Assyria as a plea for assistance against his enemies: "Ahaz also took the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace, and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria."

The use of silver as tribute is not limited to interactions with foreign powers. Within the context of Israel's own governance, silver was also used in the form of taxes or offerings. For instance, in Exodus 30:11-16, God commands Moses to collect a half-shekel of silver from every Israelite as a ransom for their lives, which serves as a form of tribute to the Lord: "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."

The payment of tribute in silver underscores the metal's role as a standard of wealth and a means of fulfilling obligations, whether to earthly rulers or to God. Its use in these contexts highlights the broader biblical themes of stewardship, responsibility, and the acknowledgment of authority, both divine and human.

In the New Testament, silver continues to hold economic significance. The infamous betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15) further illustrates the metal's enduring role as a medium of exchange and its association with moral and ethical considerations.

Overall, silver's frequent mention in the context of tribute payments throughout the Bible reflects its integral role in the economic and political life of ancient societies, serving as a testament to its enduring value and significance.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 17:11
Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 5:15
But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable to the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants bore rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Last Events in Galilee - the Tribute-Money, the Dispute by the ...
... Stater, with which to pay the Temple-tribute for the ... too often forget: that as Christ's
forgiveness, so that ... afterwards cast down the pieces of silver in the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the last events.htm

Chronicles
... accounts of the same reign in Kings and Chronicles is often very singular ... by which
he succeeded to the throne, nor of the tribute of silver and gold which ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/chronicles.htm

The Provinces.
... as he supposed, of gold and silver treasure. ... of absolute and irresponsible power
so often engenders in ... the provinces, provided that the tribute was efficiently ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter v the provinces.htm

In the Meantime, Matthathias Dies, Having Appointed in his Own ...
... been accustomed to pay him an annual tribute of more than three hundred talents
of silver, were now ... would give way before them; for that often before then ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxi in the meantime.htm

The Restoration of the Jews.
... his stead, sometimes assessing a tax or tribute upon the ... and carrying away all the
gold and silver that he ... declarations which he had made so often before, he ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ix the restoration of.htm

The Bishop at Work
... and he, as its warder, should be under tribute at all ... alms and who lived from hand
to mouth, often borrowing on ... gave the new man a fine chased silver and ivory ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter v the bishop at.htm

Letter Lvii. St. Ambrose Informs the Emperor Eugenius Why He was ...
... act in the cause of God, as is often done in ... to carry three hundred didrachms of
silver from Jerusalem ... whom honour is due, tribute to whom tribute." [3642] For ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter lvii st ambrose informs.htm

The Lame Man Cured by Peter and John.
... "Silver and gold have I none." The apostles were ... mouth, to be applied to the payment
of tribute. ... And how often has avarice, carefully concealing itself under a ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture iv the lame man.htm

Life of Bede
... Probably his writing was, as is so often the case ... of life wins from him a warm tribute
of admiration ... de Puisac erected a shrine of gold and silver, adorned with ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/life of bede.htm

Ezra, the Priest and Scribe
... During his long rule he often showed favor to God's ... shall not be lawful to impose
toll, tribute, or custom ... proved""and weighed unto them the silver, and the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 50 ezra the priest.htm