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הֲלָךְ (ha.lakh)

ha.lakh

toll

H1983 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 3 verses

A:N-M

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
3 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
A:N-M

Word Overview

The Aramaic noun halak refers to a toll, custom duty, or tribute paid to authorities. Although it shares an etymological root with the Hebrew verb for walking (halakh), this specific form has shifted from describing movement to denoting the financial cost of that passage. It represents the monetary charge levied on travelers, merchants, or goods moving through a controlled region.

This term appears in only three verses, all within the book of Ezra. In these contexts, it describes the taxes imposed by Persian kings on the people living west of the Euphrates river. The word highlights the economic burden placed on the community during the post-exilic period, framing their relationship with imperial power as one defined by fiscal obligation rather than just political allegiance.

The usage underscores how ancient administration functioned through revenue collection. By linking the act of travel to a mandatory payment, the text records the tangible cost of living under foreign rule. The sources confirm that this noun is distinct from its verbal root, serving specifically as a legal and economic term for state-imposed levies.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word ha.lakh describes a toll or tax collected by imperial authorities for passage through their territory. In Ezra, it appears alongside broader terms for tribute and custom duties, reflecting the heavy economic obligations placed on Judean communities under Persian rule. These records are not merely administrative; they reveal how daily life intersected with political power.

For believers today, this term highlights the tension between civic duty and spiritual freedom. The Persian kings used these levies to control regions west of the Euphrates, yet God’s people found ways to navigate these obligations while maintaining their identity. This history reminds us that faithfulness often involves navigating complex social structures without compromising our core values.

Understanding this context helps us see how ancient Christians faced similar pressures when living under foreign governments. It encourages a balanced view of authority—one that respects lawful requirements while prioritizing devotion to God above all else.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • and/ toll3×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • וַ/הֲלָךְ֙1×
  • וַ/הֲלָ֖ךְ1×
  • וַ/הֲלָ֔ךְ1×

Key Verses

  • Ezra 4:13
    Be it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.

    This verse warns the king that rebuilding Jerusalem's walls would result in lost toll revenue, showing how fiscal obligations were tied to political control.

  • Ezra 4:20
    There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll was paid to them.

    Here the term acknowledges past payments of tolls to previous rulers, establishing a pattern of economic submission to imperial authority.

  • Ezra 7:24
    Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, or laborers of this house of God.

    This exemption protects temple workers from paying tolls, demonstrating how religious service was legally distinguished from general civic duties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ha.lakh mean in the Bible?

Ha.lakh is a Hebrew noun meaning 'toll' or 'custom duty.' It refers to the financial charge levied on travelers or goods moving through controlled regions under Persian rule, as seen in Ezra.

How is ha.lakh different from other tax terms?

While broader terms like 'tribute' (H1586) refer to general submission payments, ha.lakh specifically denotes a toll for passage. It highlights the economic cost of movement rather than political allegiance alone.

Where does this word appear in Scripture?

It appears only three times, all in Ezra (4:13, 4:20, 7:24). These verses discuss the financial obligations of Judean communities under Persian administration and exemptions for temple workers.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

Ezra 3 verses
Ezra 4:13

Be it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or…

Ezra 4:20

There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute,…

Ezra 7:24

Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on any of the priests, Levites,…