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.
In the New Testament the payment of taxes, imposed by lawful rulers, is enjoined as a duty (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13,14 ). Mention is made of the tax (telos) on merchandise and travellers (Matthew 17:25 ); the annual tax (phoros) on property (Luke 20:22; 23:2 ); the poll-tax (kensos, "tribute," Matthew 17:25; 22:17; Mark 12:14 ); and the temple-tax ("tribute money" = two drachmas = half shekel, Matthew 17:24-27; Compare Exodus 30:13 ). (See TRIBUTE .)
Easton's Bible Dictionary was written by Matthew George Easton, who lived from 1823-1894. This Scottish Presbyterian's other significant literary achievements were his English translations of two of Franz Delitzsch's commentaries. The nearly 4,000 entries cover material from Aaron to Zuzims!Wikipedia
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