Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextRevenue, in a biblical context, refers to the income generated by individuals, families, or nations through various means such as trade, agriculture, taxation, and other economic activities. In ancient times, revenue was crucial for sustaining households, supporting religious institutions, and maintaining the governance and defense of nations.
Biblical ReferencesThe concept of revenue is implicitly present throughout the Bible, often associated with wealth, prosperity, and the management of resources. While the term "revenue" itself may not frequently appear in English translations, the principles surrounding it are evident in various passages.
1.
Agricultural Revenue: In an agrarian society, much of the revenue came from the produce of the land.
Deuteronomy 8:7-9 describes the abundance of the Promised Land, highlighting the natural resources that would provide revenue for the Israelites: "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing."
2.
Trade and Commerce: Revenue from trade is exemplified in the account of Solomon, whose wealth was significantly increased through commerce.
1 Kings 10:14-15 states, "The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents, not including the revenue from the merchants and traders, as well as from all the Arabian kings and governors of the land."
3.
Taxation: Revenue through taxation is a recurring theme, especially in the context of governance. In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of paying taxes to the governing authorities. In
Matthew 22:21, He says, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s," indicating the legitimacy of governmental revenue through taxes.
4.
Tithes and Offerings: The revenue of religious institutions was primarily derived from tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:10 emphasizes the importance of bringing tithes into the storehouse: "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this," says the LORD of Hosts. "See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure."
Theological ImplicationsRevenue, as a form of wealth, is seen in the Bible as a blessing from God, but it also comes with responsibilities. Believers are encouraged to use their resources wisely, to support their families, to contribute to the needs of the community, and to honor God with their wealth.
Proverbs 3:9-10 advises, "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine."
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsThe Bible warns against the misuse of revenue and the pursuit of wealth for selfish gain. In
1 Timothy 6:10, Paul writes, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." This highlights the potential moral pitfalls associated with revenue and wealth.
ConclusionWhile revenue is necessary for sustaining life and fulfilling responsibilities, the Bible emphasizes the importance of integrity, generosity, and stewardship in its acquisition and use. Believers are called to view their revenue as a tool for serving God and others, rather than an end in itself.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) That which returns, or comes back, from an investment; the annual rents, profits, interest, or issues of any species of property, real or personal; income.
2. (n.) Hence, return; reward; as, a revenue of praise.
3. (n.) The annual yield of taxes, excise, customs, duties, rents, etc., which a nation, state, or municipality collects and receives into the treasury for public use.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
REVENUErev'-e-nu:
(1) appethom, "revenue or income" (Ezra 4:13 the King James Version);
(2) tebhu'ah, "increase," "revenue" (Proverbs 8:19;Proverbs 15:6Isaiah 23:3Jeremiah 12:13); prosodos, "income" (2 Maccabees 3:3; 4:8 (the Revised Version (British and American) "fund"); 9:16).
Greek
5057. telones -- tax collector... tax collector. From telos and oneomai; a tax-farmer, ie Collector of public
revenue --
publican. see GREEK telos. see GREEK oneomai. (telonai) -- 8 Occurrences.
...3017. Leui -- Levi, the name of several Israelites
... of Jesus, (c) third son of Jacob, the patriarch, and founder of a tribe named after
him, (d) son of Alphaeus, and called Matthew, arevenue officer and one of...
Strong's Hebrew
8393. tebuah -- product,revenue... 8392, 8393. tebuah. 8394 . product,
revenue. Transliteration: tebuah
Phonetic Spelling: (teb-oo-aw') Short Definition: produce.
...674. appethom -- perhaps treasury
... 673, 674. appethom. 675 . perhaps treasury. Transliteration: appethom Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-pe-thome') Short Definition:revenue....revenue....
8394. tebunah -- an understanding
... 1), skillful (1), skillfully (1), understanding (37). fruit, gain, increase,
revenue. And (feminine) tbuwnah {teb-oo-naw'}; or towbunah...
5801. izzabon -- wares
... fair, ware. From azab in the sense of letting go (for a price, ie Selling); trade,
ie The place (mart) or the payment (revenue) -- fair, ware. see HEBREW azab....
Library
The Jews Greatly Complain of Archelaus and Desire that they May be...
... Under this last was Perea and Galilee, with arevenue of two hundred talents; but
Batanea, and Trachonitis, and Auranitis, and certain parts of Zeno's house...
Letter Xcvi. (AD 408. )
... For that act of fraud was none the less truly fraud because perpetrated
at the expense of the publicrevenue. The same Paul (the...
Concerning Things Belonging to the Church, which Presbyters May...
... be reclaimed; and it shall be in the discretion of the bishop whether it is better
to receive the purchase price, or not; for oftentimes therevenue of the...
Relation xi. Written from Palencia in May 1581, and Addressed to...
... I am as one to whom another has granted by deed a largerevenue, into the enjoyment
and use of which he is to come at a certain time, but until then has...
Antipater is Accused Before Varus, and is Convicted of Laying a...
... yielded up my royal while I am alive, and whom I have openly named for the successor
to my dominions in my testament, and given him a yearlyrevenue of his own...
Reproving all those who Live on Spiritual Goods in an Inordinate...
... REPROVING ALL THOSE WHO LIVE ON SPIRITUAL GOODS IN AN INORDINATE MANNER.
Now Christ left His treasure and Hisrevenue here on earth....
That no one Should Take from the Possessions of the Church.
... Likewise it seemed good that no one should sell anything belonging to the Church:
that if there was norevenue, and other great necessity urged thereto, this...
The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
... in which he that is chief among us, is not he that is richest in gold, but he that
is richest in faith; a kingdom which depends on norevenue accept the...
Melted by Kindness
... Zacchaeus was at the head of therevenue office in Jericho, a position of considerable
importance, inasmuch as there was a large volume of trade through that...
Article xii (V): of Repentance.
... Then, just as they redeem purgatory by means of satisfactions, so a scheme of redeeming
satisfactions which was most abundant inrevenue [which became quite a...
Thesaurus
Revenue (10 Occurrences)... personal; income. 2. (n.) Hence, return; reward; as, a
revenue of praise. 3.
(n
... public use. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
REVENUE. rev'-e
...Revenues (7 Occurrences)
... unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, they will
not pay tribute, impost, or toll, and so thou wilt endamage therevenue of the...
Province (66 Occurrences)
... 2. Roman Provincial Administration (1) First Period (2) Second Period (3) Third
Period 3. Division of Provinces 4. Province of Judea 5.Revenue LITERATURE 1...
Taxation (1 Occurrence)
... taxes, as on the subjects of a state, by government, or on the members of a corporation
or company, by the proper authority; the raising ofrevenue; also, a...
Endamage (1 Occurrence)
... en-dam'-aj: Archaic for "damage"; Ezra 4:13 the King James Version: "Thou shalt
damage therevenue of the kings," the Revised Version (British and American...
Cutter (3 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A small armed vessel, usually a steamer, in therevenue marine service; --
also calledrevenue cutter. 7. (n.) A small, light one-horse sleigh....
Onias
... Jason, the brother of Onias, having offered the new king largerrevenue, secured
the priesthood, which he held until he himself was similarly supplanted by...
Judge (297 Occurrences)
... This fact may indicate that while forrevenue purposes the "taskmasters" were over
the people, they were yet, just as at a later time when under the Romans...
Wares (23 Occurrences)
... activity, property, possession, work, occupation, thing made, deed, business (Ezekiel
27:16, 18); (6) `izzabhon, "selling," trade,revenue, mart, letting go...
Income (7 Occurrences)
... the proceeds of professional business, the profits of commerce or of occupation,
or the interest of money or stock in funds, etc.;revenue; receipts; salary...
Resources
What does the Bible say about paying taxes? | GotQuestions.orgDo Christians have to obey the laws of the land? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian mortgage a home? | GotQuestions.orgRevenue: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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