Taxes

First mentioned in the command (Exodus 30:11-16) that every Jew from twenty years and upward should pay an annual tax of “half a shekel for an offering to the Lord.” This enactment was faithfully observed for many generations (2 Chronicles 24:6; Matthew 17:24).

Afterwards, when the people had kings to reign over them, they began, as Samuel had warned them (1 Samuel 8:10-18), to pay taxes for civil purposes (1 Kings 4:7; 9:15; 12:4). Such taxes, in increased amount, were afterwards paid to the foreign princes that ruled over them.

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Author: Easton’s Bible Dictionary

Keywords: Taxes

Source: Matthew G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary.