Topical Encyclopedia
The term "levied" in the context of the Bible generally refers to the imposition of a tax, tribute, or compulsory service. This concept is seen throughout the Scriptures, particularly in the governance and administration of the Israelite nation and its interactions with surrounding nations.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the concept of levying is often associated with the collection of taxes or tributes by rulers. One of the earliest instances of a levy is found in the reign of King Solomon. Solomon, known for his wisdom and extensive building projects, levied a labor force to construct the temple and other significant structures. In
1 Kings 5:13-14 , it is recorded: "Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of thirty thousand men from all Israel. He sent them to Lebanon in shifts of ten thousand per month, so that they would spend one month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor."
The levying of labor and resources was a common practice for kings to accomplish large-scale projects. However, it also led to discontent among the people, as seen in the later division of the kingdom after Solomon's death. The heavy burdens imposed by Solomon's levies contributed to the people's grievances, which were expressed to his son Rehoboam (
1 Kings 12:4): "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you."
Tribute and TaxationLevying also involved the collection of tributes from conquered peoples or vassal states. This was a common practice in the ancient Near East, where powerful empires would demand regular payments from subjugated nations. In the Bible, the Israelites themselves were subject to such levies during periods of foreign domination. For example, during the time of the Judges, the Israelites were oppressed by various neighboring peoples who imposed tributes upon them (
Judges 3:14): "The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years."
In addition to foreign levies, the Israelites were required to pay tithes and offerings as part of their covenantal obligations to God. These were not considered burdensome taxes but acts of worship and obedience, supporting the Levitical priesthood and the functioning of the tabernacle and later the temple (
Leviticus 27:30-32).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of levying is primarily seen in the context of Roman taxation. The Roman Empire imposed various taxes on its provinces, including Judea. Tax collectors, often viewed with disdain by the Jewish populace, were responsible for collecting these levies. The Gospel accounts mention tax collectors such as Matthew and Zacchaeus, who, upon encountering Jesus, experienced transformative changes in their lives (
Matthew 9:9;
Luke 19:2-8).
Jesus addressed the issue of taxation in His teachings, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling civic duties while maintaining allegiance to God. In
Matthew 22:21 , Jesus famously stated, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s," highlighting the distinction between earthly and divine obligations.
ConclusionThe concept of levying in the Bible encompasses a range of practices related to taxation, tribute, and compulsory service. It reflects the socio-political realities of ancient Israel and the broader ancient Near Eastern context, as well as the theological principles governing the Israelites' relationship with God and their rulers.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Levy.
Strong's Hebrew
5927. alah -- to go up, ascend, climb... got back (1), grew (3), grow (2), grow back (1), grows (1), imported* (2), incite
(1), included (1), invaded (2), jump (1), lead (1), left (1),
levied (3), lie
...Library
The Coin in the Fish's Mouth
... It had originally beenlevied in the Wilderness, at the time of the numbering of
the people, and was enjoined to be repeated at each census, when every male...
Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House...
... Toll was apparentlylevied in the time of Ezra (Ezra 4:13, 20); but the clergy
were exempt from this as from all other taxation (7:24)....
Preparations for the Invasion of Greece.
... necessary preparations. There were men to belevied, arms to be manufactured,
ships to be built, and stores of food to be provided. The...
Church and State in New England
... give for the support of the gospel, and that any man who refused should be rated
according to his possessions and compelled to pay" the sum solevied....
The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
... Congregational or Consociated Church," and the almost total absence of any provision
for exempting Congregational Separatists from the taxeslevied in its...
Essay v. Whose Powers Shed Round Him in the Common Strife...
... The former with easy hand collected, as it passed by him, whatever could add to
his own stores, appropriated what he could assimilate, andlevied subsidies of...
Infancy and Youth of Jesus --His First Impressions.
... i.1, ii.1). The inscription by which it was formerly pretended to establish that
Quirinus hadlevied two censuses is recognized as false (see Orelli, Inscr....
The Family of a Saint
... The Decurions, wholevied taxes and made themselves responsible for their collection,
were obliged to supply any deficiency in the revenue out of their own...
Life at Herrnhut.
... hand. Theylevied the usual rates and taxes to keep the streets and wells
in order. They undertook the care of widows and orphans....
But that which Gave Rise to Public and Universal Calamity...
... After this, money waslevied for each head, as if a price had been paid for liberty
to exist; yet full trust was not reposed on the same set of surveyors, but...
Thesaurus
Levied (5 Occurrences)...Levied (5 Occurrences). Numbers 31:5 And there were
levied out of the thousands
of Israel, a thousand by tribe, twelve thousand armed for war. (DBY).
...Tax (43 Occurrences)
... carriages, and the like. 4. (n.) A sum imposed orlevied upon the members
of a society to defray its expenses. 5. (n.) A task exacted...
Assessment (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A valuation of property or profits of business, for the purpose of taxation;
such valuation and an adjudging of the proper sum to belevied on the...
Taxing (3 Occurrences)
... 1. General Considerations: Taxation, in the sense of regular, graduated imposts
levied by authority upon wealth, whether in the form of flocks and herds...
Virtue (21 Occurrences)
... power," "valor," "efficacy" (Latin, virtus, "manly strength" or "excellence," from
vir, "man"): "Trust in thy single virtue; for thy soldiers Alllevied in thy...
Levies (1 Occurrence)
Levy (19 Occurrences)
... the dollar was rated at 7s. 6d. 3. (n.) That which islevied, as an army,
force, tribute, etc. 4. (n.) The taking or seizure of...
Levi'athan (2 Occurrences)
Levi'athan. Leviathan, Levi'athan.Levied . Multi-Version Concordance
Levi'athan (2 Occurrences).... (See RSV). Leviathan, Levi'athan.Levied . Reference
Impost (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That which is imposed orlevied; a tax, tribute, or duty; especially, a
duty or tax laid by government on goods imported into a country....
Imposition (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which is imposed,levied, or enjoined; charge; burden; injunction;
tax. 3. (n.) An extra exercise enjoined on students as a punishment....
Resources
What is a sin tax? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Caesar's Messiah Conspiracy Theory? | GotQuestions.orgAre black people cursed? | GotQuestions.orgLevied: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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