King James Bible Dictionary

A tax imposed by the Romans. The tax-gatherers were termed publicans (q.v.), who had their stations at the gates of cities, and in the public highways, and at the place set apart for that purpose, called the "receipt of custom" (Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14), where they collected the money that was to be paid on certain goods (Matthew 17:25). These publicans were tempted to exact more from the people than was lawful, and were, in consequence of their extortions, objects of great hatred. The Pharisees would have no intercourse with them (Matthew 5:46, 47; 9:10, 11).

A tax or tribute (q.v.) of half a shekel was annually paid by every adult Jew for the temple. It had to be paid in Jewish coin (Matthew 22:17-19; Mark 12:14, 15). Money-changers (q.v.) were necessary, to enable the Jews who came up to Jerusalem at the feasts to exchange their foreign coin for Jewish money; but as it was forbidden by the law to carry on such a traffic for emolument (Deuteronomy 23:19, 20), our Lord drove them from the temple (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15).

CUSTOM, noun [Latin]

1. Frequent or common use, or practice; a frequent repetition o the same act; hence, way; established manner; habitual practice.

The prists custom with the people was--- 1 Samuel 2:13.

We have no such custom 1 Corinthians 11:16.

The customs of the people are vain. Jeremiah 10:3.

2. A buying of goods; practice of frequenting a shop and purchasing or procuring to be done.

Let him have your custom but not your votes.

The shopkeeper has extensive custom or a good run of custom A mill or a manufacturer has extensive custom or little custom

3. In law, long established practice, or usage, which constitutes the unwritten law, and long consent to which gives it authority. Customs are general, which extend over a state or kingdom, and particular, which are limited to a city or district.

CUSTOM, verb intransitive

1. To make familiar. [See Accustom, which is the word used.]

2. To give custom to.

CUSTOM, noun Tribute, toll or tax; that is, cost or charge paid to the public.

Render custom to whom custom is due. Romans 13:7.

CUSTOMs, in the plural, the duties imposed by law on merchandize imported or exported. IN Great Britain and the United States, this word is limited to these species of duties.

CUSTOMABLE, adjective

1. Common; habitual; frequent.

2. Subject to the payment of the duties called customs.

CUSTOMABLENESS, noun Frequency; conformity to custom. [Little used.]

CUSTOMABLY, adverb According to custom; in a customary manner.

CUSTOMARILY, adverb [See Customary.] Habitually; commonly.

CUSTOMARINESS, noun Frequency; commonness; habitual use or practice.

CUSTOMARY, adjective

1. According to custom, or to established or common usage; as a customary dress; customary compliments.

2. Habitual; in common practice; as customary vices.

3. Holding by custom; as customary tenants, who are copyholders.

4. Held by custom; as a customary freehold.

CUSTOMARY, noun A book containing laws and usages, or customs; as the customary of the Normans.

CUSTOMED, adjective

1. Usual; common; to which we are accustomed. [See Accustomed.]

2. Furnished with customers.

CUSTOMER, noun

1. One who frequents any place of sale for the sake of purchasing goods; one who purchases goods or wares.

2. One who frequents or visits any place for procuring what he wants. We say, a mill has many customers. Hence a person who receives supplies is called a customer; the smith, the shoemaker and the tailor have their customers; and the coffee-house has its customers.

3. A toll-gatherer.

CUSTOM-HOUSE, noun The house where vessel enter and clear, and where the customs are paid or secured to be paid.