מֶכֶס
an assessment (as based upon a census)
Definition
The Hebrew noun מֶכֶס (mekeç) refers specifically to a tax or tribute levied as a share or portion, particularly one based on a census or count. In its biblical usage, it denotes a mandatory contribution or assessment taken from spoils of war or goods, which is then given to the sanctuary or its representatives. All six occurrences are found in Numbers 31, where it describes the portion of plunder from the Midianite campaign that was to be given to the Lord and to the priests. The word consistently implies a calculated share, not a voluntary offering.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the context of war plunder in Numbers 31, detailing the distribution of spoils after Israel's battle with Midian. It specifies the exact 'assessment' or tribute owed to God and to the community's religious leaders. For example, one out of every 500 captured persons, cattle, donkeys, and sheep was taken as a מֶכֶס for the priest Eleazar as a contribution to the Lord (Numbers 31:28-29). Similarly, one out of every 50 was taken as a מֶכֶס for the Levites from the Israelites' half of the spoils (Numbers 31:30, 42-47). The usage is highly technical and legal, pertaining to ritual and communal obligation.
Etymology
The noun מֶכֶס (mekeç) is likely derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to count, enumerate, or assess.' This etymological connection to counting is evident in its usage concerning portions calculated from a total sum. It is related to the concept of a census or tally, which forms the basis for the assessment. While direct cognates in other Semitic languages are uncertain, the word's meaning is firmly anchored in the idea of a numbered portion or share.
Semantic Range
The concept of מֶכֶס highlights the principle that God has a rightful claim on the fruits of His people's endeavors, even victory in war. It teaches that all possessions ultimately belong to God, and a specific, calculated portion is to be consecrated back to Him and for the support of His priesthood (Numbers 31:28-29). This reinforces themes of divine ownership, covenantal obligation, and the sanctification of ordinary life—even spoils of war are brought under God's rule. Understanding this term enriches reading by showing how ancient Israel practiced giving not merely as generosity, but as a structured, non-negotiable act of worship and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, taking plunder from defeated enemies was a standard practice of warfare. Israel's unique application was the mandatory dedication of a portion of that plunder to their deity and religious system. This מֶכֶס differed from a simple tax; it was a religious tribute, transforming spoils of war into sacred contributions. It served both to purify the community from the defilement of battle and to provide materially for the tabernacle and its priests, integrating military success with religious duty.
מַס (mas, H4522) — a general term for forced labor, tribute, or levy, often imposed by a conqueror, whereas מֶכֶס is a specific assessment from spoils for sacred use. תְּרוּמָה (terumah, H8641) — a contribution or heave offering, often voluntary or for sacred purposes, but not necessarily calculated from a total count like מֶכֶס.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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