Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "levy" generally refers to a tax or tribute imposed by a governing authority. The concept of levies is seen throughout the Scriptures, often in relation to the obligations of the Israelites to their leaders or foreign powers.
Old Testament References1.
Solomon's Levy: One of the most notable instances of a levy in the Bible is during the reign of King Solomon. Solomon imposed a levy to support his extensive building projects, including the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. 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."
2.
Tribute to Foreign Powers: Levies were also imposed by foreign rulers upon the Israelites. For example, during the period of the Judges, the Israelites were often subjected to paying tribute to their oppressors. In
2 Kings 23:35 , it is noted that Jehoiakim, king of Judah, imposed a levy to pay tribute to Pharaoh Neco: "So Jehoiakim paid Pharaoh Neco the silver and gold demanded. He taxed the land to give the money according to Pharaoh’s command. He exacted the silver and gold from the people of the land, each according to his assessment, to give it to Pharaoh Neco."
3.
Levy for the Temple: In the post-exilic period, levies were also collected for the maintenance and service of the Temple.
Nehemiah 10:32-33 describes a levy for the Temple service: "We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of our God each year the firstfruits of our crops and every fruit tree. It is also written in the Law that we are to bring the firstborn of our sons and of our livestock, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there."
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of levies in the Bible often reflects the broader themes of authority, responsibility, and the relationship between the people and their leaders. In theocratic Israel, levies were not merely economic transactions but were often tied to covenantal obligations and religious duties. The imposition of levies by foreign powers, on the other hand, often symbolized subjugation and the consequences of Israel's disobedience to God.
Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern societies, levies were a common means of supporting the state and its projects. They could take the form of labor, as seen in Solomon's conscription of workers, or monetary tribute, as in the payments to foreign rulers. These levies were essential for the construction of infrastructure, military campaigns, and the maintenance of religious institutions.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not provide exhaustive details on the administration and collection of levies, the references to them highlight their significance in the socio-political and religious life of ancient Israel. The concept of levies serves as a reminder of the responsibilities of leadership and the communal obligations of the people under God's covenant.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(
1 Kings 4:6, R.V.;
5:13), forced service. The service of tributaries was often thus exacted by kings. Solomon raised a "great levy" of 30,000 men, about two per cent. of the population, to work for him by courses on Lebanon. Adoram (
12:18) presided over this forced labour service (Ger. Frohndienst; Fr. corvee).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of collecting by authority; as, the levy of taxes.
2. (n.) A name formerly given in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to the Spanish real of one eighth of a dollar (or 12/ cents), valued at eleven pence when the dollar was rated at 7s. 6d.
3. (n.) That which is levied, as an army, force, tribute, etc.
4. (n.) The taking or seizure of property on executions to satisfy judgments, or on warrants for the collection of taxes; a collecting by execution.
5. (v. t.) To raise, as a siege.
6. (v. t.) To raise; to collect; said of troops, to form into an army by enrollment, conscription, etc.
7. (v. t.) To raise or collect by assessment; to exact by authority; as, to levy taxes, toll, tribute, or contributions.
8. (v. t.) To gather or exact; as, to levy money.
9. (v. t.) To erect, build, or set up; to make or construct; to raise or cast up; as, to levy a mill, dike, ditch, a nuisance, etc.
10. (v. t.) To take or seize on execution; to collect by execution.
11. (v. i.) To seize property, real or personal, or subject it to the operation of an execution; to make a levy; as, to levy on property; the usual mode of levying, in England, is by seizing the goods.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LEVYlev'-i.
SeeWAR.
Greek
5056. telos -- an end, a toll... act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitely), result (immediate,
ultimate or prophetic), purpose); specially, an impost or
levy (as paid
...Strong's Hebrew
4371. mekes -- computation, proportion to be paid, tax... 4370, 4371. mekes. 4372 . computation, proportion to be paid, tax. Transliteration:
mekes Phonetic Spelling: (meh'-kes) Short Definition:
levy.
...4522. mas -- body of forced laborers, forced service, taskworkers...
... 1), taskmasters* (1), tribute (1). discomfited,levy, taskmaster, tributary.
Or mic {mees}; from macac; properly, a burden (as causing...
7311. rum -- to be high or exalted, rise
... 1), exalt (11), exaltation (1), exalted (29), exalts (5), extol (5), extolled (1),
haughty (5), heights (1), held (1), high (10), higher (2),levy (1), lift (19...
4864. maseth -- an uprising, utterance, burden, portion
... Word Origin from nasa Definition an uprising, utterance, burden, portion NASB Word
Usage burden (1), cloud (2), gift (1), gifts (2),levy (2), lifting (1...
5927. alah -- to go up, ascend, climb
... to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get
up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap,levy, lift (self...
Library
That the Present Public Resolutions, Expressed in the Commission's...
... That The Present Public Resolutions, Expressed In The Commission's Answer To The
Parliament's Query, And The Act Of TheLevy, Do Not Exclude That Party....
List of Authorities
... Lenormant: Chaldean Magic. Levi: Historia Religionis Jud??orum.Levy: Neuhebr. u.
Chald??isch. W??rterbuch.Levy: Chald??isch. W??rterb. ?�ber die Targumim....
The Secular Clergy
... to use the episcopal patronage and to fill up vacant canonries and benefices with
its own followers, and it often took the opportunity tolevy upon the...
In God's Name I Beseech You Let Prayer Nourish Your Soul as Your...
... The great business of praying is a hurried, petty, starved, beggarly business with
most men. St. Paul calls a halt, and lays alevy on men for prayer....
The Transplanting of Congregationalism
... judges. And further, James positively refused to admit that with Parliament
alone rested the power tolevy imposts and duties. After...
The Tears of the Penitent.
... contented himself with sending his troops against Ammon, and "tarried still at
Jerusalem." At all events, the story brings into sharp contrast thelevy en masse...
The Gathering Storm
... a herald had proclaimed to the people that, owing to the necessities of the imperial
exchequer, the great Emperor Theodosius had decided tolevy a subsidy on...
First Catechetical Lecture of Our Holy Father Cyril,
... For as those who are going to make alevy for war examine the ages and the bodies
of those who are taking service, so also the Lord in enlisting souls examines...
To Amphilochius the Younger. Ep. Ix.
... This privilege was, however, abolished by Julian, and was restored by Valentinian
and Valens: but the collectors of revenue often tried tolevy it on them in...
A Strange Battle
... His first act was to muster the nation, not as a militarylevy but as suppliants,
'to seek help of the Lord.' The enemy was camping down by the banks of the...
Thesaurus
Levy (19 Occurrences)... Solomon raised a "great
levy" of 30,000 men, about two per cent.
... Noah Webster's
Dictionary. 1. (n.) The act of collecting by authority; as, the
levy of taxes.
...Levy-service (1 Occurrence)
Levy-service.Levy,Levy-service. Lewd . Multi-Version Concordance
Levy-service (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 4:6 and Ahishar...
Levied (5 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) ofLevy. Multi-Version Concordance... (DBY). 1 Kings 5:13 And king Solomon
raised alevy out of all Israel; and thelevy was thirty thousand men....
Conscripted (4 Occurrences)
... Conscripted (4 Occurrences). 1 Kings 5:13 King Solomon raised alevy out of
all Israel; and thelevy was thirty thousand men. (See NIV)....
Laborers (19 Occurrences)
... labor. (See NIV). 1 Kings 5:13 King Solomon raised alevy out of all Israel;
and thelevy was thirty thousand men. (See NAS NIV)....
Adoniram (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Adoram, 1 Kings 12:18), the son of Abda, was
"over the tribute," ie, thelevy or forced labour. He was...
Ador'am (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ador'am (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 20:24 and Adoram was
over thelevy; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; (See RSV)....
Adoni'ram (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Adoni'ram (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 4:6 and Ahishar was
over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over thelevy. (See RSV)....
Rehobo'am (42 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Kings 12:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over thelevy;
and all Israel stoned him with stones, so that he died....
Millo (9 Occurrences)
... In 1 Kings 9:15, Solomon raised alevy "to build the house of Yahweh, and his own
house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem," etc.; in 9:24, "Pharaoh's...
Resources
Who was King Jehoiachin in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Artaxerxes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a sin tax? | GotQuestions.orgLevy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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