wages Summary and Overview

Rate of (mention only in Matt. 20:2); to be punctually paid (Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:14, 15); judgements threatened against the withholding of (Jer. 22:13; Mal. 3:5; compare James 5:4); paid in money (Matt. 20:1-14); to Jacob in kind (Gen. 29:15, 20; 30:28; 31:7, 8, 41).

The earliest mention of wages is of a recompense, not in money, but in kind, to Jacob from Laban. #Ge 29:15,20; 30:28; 31:7,8,41| In Egypt money payments by way of wages were in use, but the terms cannot now be ascertained. #Ex 2:9| The only mention of the rate of wages in Scripture is found in the parable of the householder and the vineyard, #Mt 20:2| where the laborer's wages was set at one denarius per day, probably 15 to 17 cents, a sum which may be fairly taken as equivalent to the denarius, and to the usual pay of a soldier (ten asses per diem) in the later days of the Roman republic. Tac. Ann. i. 17; Polyb. vi. 39. In earlier times it is probable that the rate was lower; but it is likely that laborers, and also soldiers, were supplied with provisions. The law was very strict in requiring daily payment of wages. #Le 19:13; De 24:14,15| The employer who refused to give his-laborers sufficient victuals is censured #Job 22:11| and the iniquity of withholding wages is denounced. #Jer 22:13; Mal 3:5; Jas 6:4|

WA'GES . When wages are first mentioned in the O.T., they were paid, not in money, but in kind. Gen 29:15, Ruth 4:20; Gen 30:28; Gen 31:7-8, Gen 31:41. But the Law was very strict in requiring daily payment of wages, Lev 19:13; Deut 24:14-15, and employers who withhold the laborer's wages or refuse to give him sufficient victuals are strongly censured. Jer 22:13; Mal 3:5; Job 24:11. Wages paid in money are mentioned in the N.T. Matt 20:2; Luke 3:14; 1 Cor 9:7.

Paid by Laban to Jacob in kind (Genesis 29:15; Genesis 29:20; Genesis 30:28; Genesis 31:7-8; Genesis 31:41; "I served 14 years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle".) The labourer's daily wages (misthos) in Matthew 20 are set at one denarius ("penny") a day, 7 3/4 d. of our money; compare Tobit 5:14, "a drachm." The term opsoonia for "wages" (Luke 3:14) and Paul's words, 2 Corinthians 11:8 (opsoonion), "charges," 1 Corinthians 9:7, imply that provisions were part of a soldier's wages. They should be paid every night (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15; compare Job 24:11; James 5:4; Jeremiah 22:13; Malachi 3:5); spiritually, John 4:36; Romans 6:28.