τελώνης (G5057) — Greek Lexicon

τελώνης

telṓnēs

G5057 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person who collects taxes or customs duties, particularly those levied on behalf of a ruling authority or occupying power. The term most commonly refers to an agent responsible for assessing and collecting tolls, tariffs, or tribute, frequently acting as an intermediary between the authorities (such as the Roman government) and local populations. In various contexts, the position could encompass both the chief franchise-holder who leased the rights to collect taxes as well as subordinate employees serving at tax stations or checkpoints. The term carries nuanced connotations of fiscal authority, legal prerogative, and—especially in certain contexts—social opprobrium due to widespread perceptions of collaboration or extortion.

Semantic Range

tax collector, customs officer, contractor or farmer of taxes, subordinate collector at toll stations, one responsible for collecting public revenue, agent of fiscal authority, figure associated with the collection of tribute or customs duties

Root / Etymology

From τέλος (end, tax, toll) and the verbal root of ὠνέομαι (to buy), denoting one who buys (i.e., leases or farms) the right to collect taxation. The term thus originally referred to a farmer or lessor of taxes, but in later usage was applied to all tax collectors more generally.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The word τελώνης first appears in Hellenistic sources to describe one who purchases the right to collect taxes, a common practice in Roman administration wherein wealthy individuals or companies bid for tax-collection contracts (tax farming). Over time, the meaning broadened to include not just the primary franchise-holder but also minor officials or agents employed at local customs booths or on trade routes. In the New Testament and related Koine literature, τελῶναι are often depicted as figures on the margins of society, partly because tax-collection roles could entail collaboration with foreign rulers (such as the Romans) and provided opportunities for abuse or personal gain, leading to widespread mistrust or resentment among local populations. English translations have often rendered τελώνης as 'publican;' however, this term is archaic outside biblical usage and may obscure the specific fiscal and social associations of the Greek word. The role of the τελώνης is distinct from general financial officials or stewards, being primarily linked to state-imposed levies and rents. In the Septuagint, the term is relatively rare but appears in contexts of imposed tribute or toll collection.

Translation Consistency

primary "tax collector" 6 occurrences

“Tax collector” is the natural, clear English term that best captures the full and typical SILEX range (tax/customs officer, contractor or subordinate collector, one who collects public revenue). It matches the overwhelmingly common sense in the data, preserves the fiscal/official role (including tolls and tribute), and avoids archaic or ambiguous alternatives like “publican” or just “collector.”

Alternatives (15 occurrences):

"tax collectors" (15x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from τέλος and ὠνέομαι; a tax-farmer, i.e. collector of public revenue:--publican.

Root Family

τελώνης (telōnēs) — to tax, to collect, to assess levies

Root τελ- to tax, to collect, to assess levies

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5057-01`	τελῶναι	telonai	`N NOM M PL`	tax collectors	tax collectors	tax collectors	8
`G5057-04`	τελωνῶν	telonon	`N GEN M PL`	tax-collectors	of tax collectors	of tax collectors	7
`G5057-03`	τελώνης	telones	`N NOM M SG`	tax collector	tax collector	tax collector	5
`G5057-02`	τελώνην	telonen	`N ACC M SG`	a tax collector	a tax collector	a tax collector	1

Occurrences in Scripture

21 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5057-01`	Matthew 5:46	τελῶναι	telonai	`N NOM M PL`	publicans	tax collectors	tax collectors
`G5057-01`	Matthew 9:10	τελῶναι	telonai	`N NOM M PL`	tax collectors	tax collectors	tax collectors
`G5057-04`	Matthew 9:11	τελωνῶν	telonon	`N GEN M PL`	tax collectors	of tax collectors	tax collectors
`G5057-03`	Matthew 10:3	τελώνης	telones	`N NOM M SG`	tax-collector	tax collector	tax collector
`G5057-04`	Matthew 11:19	τελωνῶν	telonon	`N GEN M PL`	of-tax-collectors	of tax collectors	of tax collectors
`G5057-03`	Matthew 18:17	τελώνης	telones	`N NOM M SG`	tax collector	tax collector	tax collector
`G5057-01`	Matthew 21:31	τελῶναι	telonai	`N NOM M PL`	tax collectors	tax collectors	tax collectors
`G5057-01`	Matthew 21:32	τελῶναι	telonai	`N NOM M PL`	tax collectors	tax collectors	tax collectors
`G5057-01`	Mark 2:15	τελῶναι	telonai	`N NOM M PL`	tax-collectors	tax collectors	tax collectors
`G5057-04`	Mark 2:16	τελωνῶν	telonon	`N GEN M PL`	tax-collectors	of tax collectors	tax collectors
`G5057-04`	Mark 2:16	τελωνῶν	telonon-2	`N GEN M PL`	tax-collectors	of tax collectors	tax collectors
`G5057-01`	Luke 3:12	τελῶναι	telonai	`N NOM M PL`	tax collectors	tax collectors	tax collectors
`G5057-02`	Luke 5:27	τελώνην	telonen	`N ACC M SG`	a tax collector	a tax collector	a tax collector
`G5057-04`	Luke 5:29	τελωνῶν	telonon	`N GEN M PL`	of tax collectors	of tax collectors	of tax collectors
`G5057-04`	Luke 5:30	τελωνῶν	telonon	`N GEN M PL`	tax collectors	of tax collectors	of tax collectors
`G5057-01`	Luke 7:29	τελῶναι	telonai	`N NOM M PL`	tax collectors	tax collectors	tax collectors
`G5057-04`	Luke 7:34	τελωνῶν	telonon	`N GEN M PL`	of tax collectors	of tax collectors	of tax collectors
`G5057-01`	Luke 15:1	τελῶναι	telonai	`N NOM M PL`	tax collectors	tax collectors	tax collectors
`G5057-03`	Luke 18:10	τελώνης	telones	`N NOM M SG`	a tax collector	tax collector	tax collector
`G5057-03`	Luke 18:11	τελώνης	telones	`N NOM M SG`	tax collector	tax collector	tax collector
`G5057-03`	Luke 18:13	τελώνης	telones	`N NOM M SG`	tax collector	tax collector	tax collector

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