Wages

Rate of (mention only in Matt. 20:2); to be punctually paid (Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:14, 15); judgements threatened against the withholding of (Jer. 22:13; Mal. 3:5; comp. James 5:4); paid in money (Matt. 20:1-14); to Jacob in kind (Gen. 29:15, 20; 30:28; 31:7, 8, 41).

The earliest mention of wages is of a recompense, not in money, but in kind, to Jacob from Laban. (Genesis 29:15,20; 30:28; 31:7,8,41) In Egypt money payments by way of wages were in use, but the terms cannot now be ascertained. (Exodus 2:9) The only mention of the rate of wages in Scripture is found in the parable of the householder and the vineyard, (Matthew 20:2) where the laborer’s wages was set at one denarius per day, probably 15 to 17 cents, a sum which may be fairly taken as equivalent to the denarius, and to the usual pay of a soldier (ten asses per diem) in the later days of the Roman republic. Tac. Ann. i. 17; Polyb. vi. 39. In earlier times it is probable that the rate was lower; but it is likely that laborers, and also soldiers, were supplied with provisions. The law was very strict in requiring daily payment of wages. (Leviticus 19:13; 24:14,15) The employer who refused to give his-laborers sufficient victuals is censured (Job 22:11) and the iniquity of withholding wages is denounced. (Jeremiah 22:13; Malachi 3:5; James 6:4)

WA'GES. When wages are first mentioned in the O.T., they were paid, not in money, but in kind. Gen 29:15, Ruth 4:20; Gen 30:28; Gen 31:7-8, Gen 31:41. But the Law was very strict in requiring daily payment of wages, Lev 19:13; Deut 24:14-15, and employers who withhold the laborer's wages or refuse to give him sufficient victuals are strongly censured. Jer 22:13; Mal 3:5; Job 24:11. Wages paid in money are mentioned in the N.T. Matt 20:2; Luke 3:14; 1 Cor 9:7.

WA'GES. When wages are first mentioned in the O.T., they were paid, not in money, but in kind. Gen 29:15, Ruth 4:20; Gen 30:28; Gen 31:7-8, Gen 31:41. But the Law was very strict in requiring daily payment of wages, Lev 19:13; Deut 24:14-15, and employers who withhold the laborer's wages or refuse to give him sufficient victuals are strongly censured. Jer 22:13; Mal 3:5; Job 24:11. Wages paid in money are mentioned in the N.T. Matt 20:2; Luke 3:14; 1 Cor 9:7.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A compensation given to a hired person for services; price paid for labor; recompense; hire. See Wage, n., 2. The wages of sin is death. Rom. vi. 23. Wages fund (Polit. Econ.), the aggregate capital existing at any time in any country, which theoretically is unconditionally destined to be paid out in wages. It was formerly held, by Mill and other political economists, that the average rate of wages in any country at any time depended upon the relation of the wages fund to the number of laborers. This theory has been greatly modified by the discovery of other conditions affecting wages, which it does not take into account. Encyc. Brit.

Synonyms: See under Wage, n.