Menahem exacted the money from Israel, that is, from all the wealthy men, fifty shekels per head, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew — Menahem's levy on the wealthy men (חַיִל, *chayil*, "mighty ones" or "wealthy") represents state taxation to meet Assyrian demands. The fifty shekels per head form an enormous per-capita tax, concentrating the burden on those with resources. The Assyrian withdrawal (וַיִּשָּׁב, *way-yissav*) following payment suggests that Tiglath-Pileser accepted the tribute as acknowledgment of vassalage rather than pursuing immediate conquest. Yet the precedent is established: Israel now pays annual tribute to Assyria, beginning the financial and political subordination that will become permanent.

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