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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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eing judges or witnesses, it was, at least so far as<br />

regarded witness-bearing, because '<strong>the</strong>y exacted<br />

more than was due.'^ Hence also it »SMih.Ma was<br />

said, that repentance was specially difficult for<br />

tax-ga<strong>the</strong>rers <strong>and</strong> custom-house <strong>of</strong>ficers.^' * Bjib*<br />

K.<br />

It is <strong>of</strong> importance to notice, that <strong>the</strong> Talmud<br />

distinguishes two classes <strong>of</strong> * publicans: * <strong>the</strong> taxga<strong>the</strong>rer<br />

in general (G<strong>of</strong>eftaf), <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> MokheSy or<br />

Mokhsaj who was specially <strong>the</strong> datumier or<br />

custom-house <strong>of</strong>ficial.* Although both classes fall<br />

under <strong>the</strong> Rabbinic ban, <strong>the</strong> douanier —such as<br />

Mat<strong>the</strong>w was—is <strong>the</strong> object <strong>of</strong> chief execration.<br />

And this, because his exactions were more<br />

vexatious, <strong>and</strong> gave more scope to rapacity. <strong>The</strong><br />

Oabbai, or tax-ga<strong>the</strong>rer, collected <strong>the</strong> regular dues,<br />

which consisted <strong>of</strong> ground-, income-, <strong>and</strong> poll-tax.<br />

<strong>The</strong> ground-<br />

* With <strong>the</strong>m herdsmen were conjoined, * TfUntehe<br />

is mistaken is making <strong>the</strong>

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