Bible Lexicons

Berry's Synonyms of the New TestamentBerry's NT Synonyms

Tax

φόρος, τέλος, κῆνσος, δίδραχμον.

φόρος indicates a direct tax which was levied annually on houses, lands, and persons, and paid usually in produce. τέλος is an indirect tax on merchandise, which was collected at piers, harbors, and gates of cities. It was similar to modern import duties. κῆνσος, originally an enrollment of property and persons, came to mean a poll-tax, levied annually on individuals by the Roman government. δίδραχμον was the coin used to pay an annual tax levied by the religious leaders of Israel for the purpose of defraying the general expenses of the Temple.