Custom
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Custom in the Bible?
Customs were tolls or duties levied on merchandise and goods in transit within the Roman Empire. These taxes were collected by contractors known as publicans at city gates, highways, and designated customs houses.
SIGNIFICANCE
The role of the publican highlights the economic tension and social stratification between the Roman administration and the local populations in the New Testament.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Custom. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Custom in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Custom clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Custom." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/custom/