Receiver
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Receiver in the Bible?
The Hebrew term shoqel, translating to 'one who weighs' or 'a weigher', appears in Isaiah 33:18 to designate an official responsible for collecting tribute, a role rendered as 'he that weighed the tribute' in the Revised Version.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this specific administrative role clarifies the economic mechanisms of tribute collection in the ancient Near East, allowing readers to better grasp the political and financial pressures described in prophetic literature.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Receiver. 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 Receiver in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Receiver clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Isaiah 33:18
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
"Receiver." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/receiver/