So common in the East that there are 15 distinct Hebrew words for them. Minchah, from an inferior to a superior (Judges 3:15). Maseeth, vice versa (Esther 2:18). Berakah, "a blessing," i.e. complimentary (2 Kings 5:15). Shochad, a bribe (Exodus 23:8; 2 Kings 16:8). Many were not voluntary, but a compulsory exaction: tribute (2 Kings 17:3). "To bring presents" is to own submission (Psalm 68:29). That to a prophet was his consulting fee (1 Samuel 9:7), not a bribe (1 Samuel 12:3). To refuse a present was an insult; the wedding robe offered and slighted was the condemnation of the disrobed guest (Matthew 22:11).