Pension
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Pension in the Bible?
The term 'pension' derives from the Latin 'pensio,' meaning a payment or allotted portion, specifically referring to lands granted to those who maintained the city rather than compensation for past services.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this specific definition prevents the anachronistic application of modern retirement concepts to ancient texts, allowing for a more accurate understanding of the economic and social structures within ancient urban centers described in historical records.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Pension. 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 Pension in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Pension 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
"Pension." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pension/