King James Bible Dictionary

A tax imposed by a king on his subjects (2 Samuel 20:24; 1 Kings 4:6; Romans 13:6). In Matthew 17:24-27 the word denotes the temple rate (the "didrachma," the "half-shekel," as rendered by the R.V.) which was required to be paid for the support of the temple by every Jew above twenty years of age (Exodus 30:12; 2 Kings 12:4; 2 Chronicles 24:6, 9). It was not a civil but a religious tax.

In Matthew 22:17, Mark 12:14, Luke 20:22, the word may be interpreted as denoting the capitation tax which the Romans imposed on the Jewish people. It may, however, be legitimately regarded as denoting any tax whatever imposed by a foreign power on the people of Israel. The "tribute money" shown to our Lord (Matthew 22:19) was the denarius, bearing Caesar's superscription. It was the tax paid by every Jew to the Romans. (See PENNY.)

From conquered nations
Joshua 16:10; Judges 1:30-33; 2 Kings 15:19; 2 Kings 23:35; Matthew 17:24-27; Matthew 22:15-22; Luke 2:1-5

By Arabians to Solomon
2 Chronicles 9:14

By Arabians to Jehoshaphat
2 Chronicles 17:11
Duty; Tax

The chief biblical facts connected with the payment of tribute have been already given under TAXES. The tribute (money) mentioned in (Matthew 17:24,25) was the half shekel (worth from 25 to 27 cents) applied to defray the general expenses of the temple. After the destruction of the temple this was sequestrated by Vespasian and his successors and transferred to the temple of the Capitoline Jupiter. This "tribute" of (Matthew 17:24) must not be confounded with the tribute paid to the Roman emperor. (Matthew 22:17) The temple rate, though resting on an ancient precedent

(Exodus 30:13)

was as above a fixed annual tribute of comparatively late origin.

TRIB'UTE, noun [Latin tributum, from tribuo, to give, bestow or divide.]

1. An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one prince or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty. The Romans made all their conquered countries pay tribute as do the Turks at this day; and in some countries the tribute is paid in children.

2. A personal contribution; as a tribute of respect.

3. Something given or contributed.

[TAXES; TRIBUTE]