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. 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.)

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.

TRIB'UTE, that which is paid to rulers in token of subjection and for the support of government. Gen 49:15. By the Jewish law, Ex 30:13, a tribute or capitation-tax was half a shekel, or twenty-five cents, which was expended in the temple-service. The conversation of our Saviour with Peter on the subject of paying this tribute-money was designed to show him that, being himself the Son of God, the King for whose service the tribute was paid, he might justly be exempted from paying it; but, to prevent any needless irritation on the part of the officers or nation, he by miraculous power provided the means of paying the required tribute, which amounted to fifty cents for both. Matt 17:24.

TRIB'UTE, that which is paid to rulers in token of subjection and for the support of government. Gen 49:15. By the Jewish law, Ex 30:13, a tribute or capitation-tax was half a shekel, or twenty-five cents, which was expended in the temple-service. The conversation of our Saviour with Peter on the subject of paying this tribute-money was designed to show him that, being himself the Son of God, the King for whose service the tribute was paid, he might justly be exempted from paying it; but, to prevent any needless irritation on the part of the officers or nation, he by miraculous power provided the means of paying the required tribute, which amounted to fifty cents for both. Matt 17:24.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one ruler or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty; as, the Romans made their conquered countries pay tribute. Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute. C. C. Pinckney.

2. A personal contribution, as of money, praise, service, etc., made in token of services rendered, or as that which is due or deserved; as, a tribute of affection. Implores the passing tribute of a sigh. Gray.

3. A certain proportion of the ore raised, or of its value, given to the miner as his recompense. Pryce. Tomlinson. Tribute money, money paid as a tribute or tax. -- Tribute pitch. (Mining) See under Tributer. [Eng.]

Synonyms: See Subsidy.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To pay as tribute. [R.] Whitlock (1654).