Bible Dictionary
EXACT
To demand money, interest, tribute, or labor, often by pressure or oppression. Scripture also uses the word for levying taxes or collecting required payments.
Definition
To exact is to demand money, interest, tribute, or labor by force or pressure. The term may describe a harsh creditor, the levying of taxes, or the collection of required tribute.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses the term for demands made upon debtors, the collection of tribute from a kingdom, and the collection of taxes. Nehemiah urged the Jews to abandon harsh demands for interest.
Historical Background
The word represents several Hebrew and Greek expressions associated with lending, taxation, tribute, and forced labor. In one passage Menahem raised the tribute demanded by Assyria through a tax upon leading men.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>eg-zakt':</p><p>(1) naghas (De 15:2,3; 2Ki 23:35; Isa 58:3), to secure by force or pressure interest or money for tribute, and perhaps, in Isa 58:3, labor or toil; but compare the Revised Version, margin "oppress all your laborers"; probably better with a slight change of text, "exact money lent on pledges" (reading for `abhoT beyedhekhem, `atstsebhekhem).</p><p>(2) nasha', or nashah (Ne 5:7,10,11 (the King James Version not the Revised Version (British and American)) Job 11:6 (but see below); Ps 89:22), to demand interest, to be a harsh and importunate creditor, a practice which Nehemiah asks the Jews to forego. Job 11:6 better with the Revised Version, margin for "exact," "causeth to be forgotten."</p><p>(3) yotse' (2Ki 15:20 (if text is correct)). Menahem secured the tribute which the king of Assyria demanded by levying a tax on the chief men of his kingdom.</p><p>(4) prassein (Lu 3:13 the King James Version (compare Da 11:20 Septuagint); /APC 1Macc 10:35 the Revised Version (British and American)), to demand money or tribute or taxes of anyone.</p><p>Walter R. Betteridge</p>