Encyclopedia entry
Tribute
A tax imposed by a king on his subjects (2 Sam. 20:24; 1 Kings 4:6; Rom. 13:6). In Matt. 17:24-27 the word denotes the temple rate (the “didrachma,” the “half-shekel,” as rendered by the R.V.) which was required to be paid for the support of the temple by every Jew above twenty years of age (Ex. 30:12; 2 Kings 12:4; 2 Chr. 24:6, 9). It was not a civil but a religious tax.
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In Matt. 22:17, Mark 12:14, Luke 20:22, the word may be interpreted as denoting the capitation tax which the Romans imposed on the Jewish people. It may, however, be legitimately regarded as denoting any tax whatever imposed by a foreign power on the people of Israel. The “tribute money” shown to our Lord (Matt. 22:19) was the denarius, bearing Caesar’s superscription. It was the tax paid by every Jew to the Romans. (See PENNY.)
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
The chief biblical facts connected with the payment of tribute have been already given under Taxes. The tribute (money) mentioned in (Matthew 17:24,25) was the half shekel (worth from 25 to 27 cents) applied to defray the general expenses of the temple. After the destruction of the temple this was sequestrated by Vespasian and his successors and transferred to the temple of the Capitoline Jupiter. This “tribute” of (Matthew 17:24) must not be confounded with the tribute paid to the Roman emperor. (Matthew 22:17) The temple rate, though resting on an ancient precedent— (Exodus 30:13)—was as above a fixed annual tribute of comparatively late origin.
In the Bible
55
Verses where Tribute is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 18:2
David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.
- 1 Chronicles 18:6
Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
- 1 Kings 4:6
Ahishar was in charge of the palace; and Adoniram son of Abda was in charge of the forced labor.
- 1 Kings 4:21
And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
- 1 Kings 9:21
their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction —Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.
- 1 Kings 10:25
Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.
+49 more verses naming Tribute.
Scripture on Tribute
42
See all 42 +−
- Romans 13Exodus 302 Samuel 82 Samuel 202 Kings 171 Chronicles 182 Chronicles 17Ezra 4Mark 12Luke 20Genesis 49Deuteronomy 16Joshua 16Joshua 17Judges 11 Kings 91 Kings 101 Kings 122 Kings 122 Kings 232 Chronicles 82 Chronicles 92 Chronicles 102 Chronicles 242 Chronicles 26Ezra 6Ezra 7Nehemiah 5Esther 10Psalms 72Psalms 76Psalms 89Proverbs 12Proverbs 29Isaiah 16Hosea 10Luke 23
Entries that reference Tribute
1
Tribute references
13
Voices on Tribute
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.