money that was to be paid on certain goods (Matthew 17:25). These
publicans were tempted to exact more from the people than was lawful,
and were, in consequence of their extortions, objects of great hatred. The
Pharisees would have no intercourse with them (Matthew 5:46, 47; 9:10,
11).
A tax or tribute (q.v.) of half a shekel was annually paid by every adult
Jew for the temple. It had to be paid in Jewish coin (Matthew 22:17-19;
Mark 12:14, 15). Money-changers (q.v.) were necessary, to enable the
Jews who came up to Jerusalem at the feasts to exchange their foreign coin
for Jewish money; but as it was forbidden by the law to carry on such a
traffic for emolument (Deuteronomy 23:19, 20), our Lord drove them from
the temple (Matthew 21:12: Mark 11:15).
- CUTHAH one of the Babylonian cities or districts from which
Shalmaneser transplanted certain colonists to Samaria (2 Kings 17:24).
Some have conjectured that the “Cutheans” were identical with the
“Cossaeans” who inhabited the hill-country to the north of the river
Choaspes. Cuthah is now identified with Tell Ibrahim, 15 miles north-east
of Babylon. - CUTTING the flesh in various ways was an idolatrous practice, a part of
idol-worship (Deuteronomy 14:1; 1 Kings 18:28). The Israelites were
commanded not to imitate this practice (Leviticus 19:28; 21:5;
Deuteronomy 14:1). The tearing of the flesh from grief and anguish of
spirit in mourning for the dead was regarded as a mark of affection
(Jeremiah 16:6; 41:5; 48:37).
Allusions are made in Revelation (13:16; 17:5; 19:20) to the practice of
printing marks on the body, to indicate allegiance to a deity. We find also
references to it, through in a different direction, by Paul (Galatians 6; 7)
and by Ezekiel (9:4). (See HAIR.)