Taxes in Easton's Bible Dictionary
first mentioned in the command (Ex. 30:11-16) that every Jew
from twenty years and upward should pay an annual
tax of "half a
shekel for an offering to the Lord." This enactment
was
faithfully observed for many generations (2 Chr.
24:6; Matt.
17:24).
Afterwards, when the people had kings to reign over
them, they
began, as Samuel had warned them (1 Sam. 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 (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet.
2:13, 14).
Mention is made of the tax (telos) on merchandise
and travellers
(Matt. 17:25); the annual tax (phoros) on property
(Luke 20:22;
23:2); the poll-tax (kensos, "tribute," Matt. 17:25;
22:17; Mark
12:14); and the temple-tax ("tribute money" = two
drachmas =
half shekel, Matt. 17:24-27; comp. Ex. 30:13). (See
TRIBUTE
Read More about Taxes in Easton's Bible Dictionary