Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, tribute was a common practice involving the payment of goods, services, or money by one nation or group to another, often as a sign of submission or allegiance. The concept of tribute is frequently mentioned in the Bible, with gold and silver being the most common forms of payment. This practice is deeply rooted in the historical and cultural contexts of the ancient Near East, where powerful empires often demanded tribute from subjugated peoples.Old Testament Context The Old Testament provides numerous examples of tribute, often involving gold and silver. One of the earliest instances is found in Genesis 13:2, where Abram is described as "very wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold." This wealth, which included precious metals, was often used to pay tribute or as a sign of prosperity and divine blessing. In 2 Kings 23:33, we see an example of tribute being exacted by a foreign power: "Pharaoh Neco imprisoned him at Riblah in the land of Hamath, so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on the land a tribute of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold." Here, the Egyptian Pharaoh Neco demands tribute from the Kingdom of Judah, illustrating the political dynamics of the time. The Book of 1 Kings 10:14-15 describes the wealth of King Solomon, noting that "the weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents, not including the revenue from the merchants and traders, as well as all the Arabian kings and governors of the land." This passage highlights the extensive tribute received by Solomon, which contributed to his legendary wealth and the prosperity of his kingdom. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of tribute continues to play a significant role, particularly in the context of Roman rule over Judea. The Roman Empire imposed taxes and tributes on its provinces, often collected in the form of gold and silver. This is evident in Matthew 22:17-21, where the Pharisees question Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus responds, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." This passage underscores the obligation to pay tribute to earthly authorities while maintaining spiritual allegiance to God. Theological Implications From a theological perspective, the payment of tribute in gold and silver can be seen as a reflection of the broader biblical themes of authority, submission, and stewardship. The Bible teaches that all wealth ultimately belongs to God, as stated in Haggai 2:8: "The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, declares the LORD of Hosts." This acknowledgment serves as a reminder that earthly wealth and power are temporary and should be used in accordance with divine principles. Furthermore, the practice of paying tribute can be viewed as a test of faith and obedience. In the face of oppressive demands, the faithful are called to trust in God's provision and sovereignty, as demonstrated by the Israelites' experiences under foreign domination. Historical and Cultural Significance The historical practice of exacting tribute in gold and silver reflects the economic and political realities of the ancient world. Powerful empires, such as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Rome, used tribute as a means of asserting control and extracting resources from conquered territories. This practice not only enriched the dominant powers but also reinforced their authority and influence over subjugated peoples. In summary, the concept of tribute in the Bible, often exacted in gold and silver, serves as a multifaceted symbol of submission, authority, and divine providence. It provides insight into the historical and cultural contexts of biblical times while offering theological lessons on the nature of wealth, power, and faith. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 23:33,35And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Sennacherib (705-681 BC ) Canaan The Papal Power in the Church The Political Constitution of Egypt The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) Against Jovinianus. The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Iranian Conquest Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest Resources When and how was Judah conquered by the Babylonians? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Nebuchadnezzar? | GotQuestions.org How many times did Jesus cleanse the temple? Why did He cleanse the temple? | GotQuestions.org Tribute: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Tribute (Taxes) by the Arabians: To Jehoshaphat Tribute (Taxes) by the Arabians: To Solomon Tribute (Taxes): from Conquered Nations Tribute: All Saints Exhorted to Pay Tribute: Christ to Avoid Offense Wrought a Miracle to Pay for Himself Tribute: Exacted from all Conquered Nations Tribute: Kings of Israel: Forbidden to Levy Unnecessary or Oppressive Tribute: Kings of Israel: Often Oppressed the People With Tribute: Kings of Israel: Set officers Over Tribute: Often Exacted in Gold and Silver Tribute: Often Exacted in Labour Tribute: Often Exacted in Produce of Land Tribute: Priests and Levites Exempted From Tribute: Roman was Paid in Roman Coin Tribute: Roman was Resisted by the Galilaeans Under Judas of Galilee Tribute: Roman: Christ Showed to the Pharisees and Herodians the Propriety Tribute: Roman: Collected by the Publicans Tribute: Roman: Decree of Augustus For Tribute: Roman: First Levied in Judea when Cyrenius Was Governor Tribute: Roman: Our Lord Falsely Accused of Forbidding to Pay Tribute: Roman: Persons Enroled For, in the Native Place of Their Tribe Tribute: Sometimes Exacted by Kings from Their own Subjects Tribute: The Jews Required to Pay Half a Shekel to God As Tribute: when Oppressive Frequently Led to Rebellion Related Terms Tribute-service (1 Occurrence) Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences) |
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