Deuteronomy 23:19 kjv
Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:
Deuteronomy 23:19 nkjv
"You shall not charge interest to your brother?interest on money or food or anything that is lent out at interest.
Deuteronomy 23:19 niv
Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest.
Deuteronomy 23:19 esv
"You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest.
Deuteronomy 23:19 nlt
"Do not charge interest on the loans you make to a fellow Israelite, whether you loan money, or food, or anything else.
Deuteronomy 23 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 22:25 | "If you lend money to any of my people, to the poor among you, you shall not be to him as a moneylender, nor shall you lay on him interest." | Similar prohibition on lending to the poor. |
| Lev 25:35-37 | "If your brother becomes poor... then you shall uphold him... not exact from him any interest or profit... so that your brother may live with you." | Emphasizes supporting a poor brother without usury. |
| Neh 5:7-11 | "Then I consulted with myself... And I said to them, 'You are exacting usury, each from his brother.'" | Nehemiah condemns usury among fellow Israelites. |
| Ps 15:5 | "who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent." | Characteristic of a righteous person. |
| Prov 28:8 | "Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor." | Indirect condemnation, wealth gained by usury is fleeting. |
| Ezek 18:8 | "does not lend at interest or take any profit..." | Listing justice and righteous living, contrasts with sin. |
| Ezek 18:13 | "...lends at interest and takes profit... he shall surely die; his blood shall be on himself." | Clear judgment against charging interest. |
| Ezek 18:17 | "...does not exact interest or profit, executes my judgments..." | Positive example of righteous behavior. |
| Ezek 22:12 | "In you men take bribes to shed blood; you take interest and profit..." | Included in list of national sins. |
| Lk 6:34-35 | "And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? ...lend, expecting nothing in return." | Broader New Testament principle of unconditional giving. |
| Mt 5:42 | "Give to the one who begs from you, and from the one who would borrow from you do not turn away." | New Testament principle of generosity. |
| Deut 15:7-11 | "If among you, one of your brothers should become poor... you shall open wide your hand to your brother." | Broader context of care and generosity for the needy. |
| Deut 24:10-13 | "When you make a loan of any sort to your neighbor, you shall not go into his house to take his pledge..." | Rules protecting borrowers and ensuring dignity. |
| Ex 23:11 | "...but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat..." | Care for the poor integrated into Sabbath law. |
| Isa 58:6-7 | "Is not this the fast that I choose: ...to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house?" | Emphasis on social justice and helping the needy. |
| Zechariah 7:9-10 | "Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor." | Call to social justice and mercy, contrasting oppression. |
| Mal 3:5 | "Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against ...those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless..." | Against economic exploitation of vulnerable groups. |
| 1 Tim 6:10 | "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil..." | Warning against greed and its corrupting power. |
| Heb 13:5 | "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have..." | Promotes contentment over material gain. |
| Jas 2:15-16 | "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them..." | Principle of practical aid to a needy brother. |
| Prov 22:7 | "...the borrower is servant to the lender." | Highlighting the vulnerability of the borrower. |
Deuteronomy 23 verses
Deuteronomy 23 19 Meaning
Deuteronomy 23:19 prohibits an Israelite from charging any form of interest – whether on money, food, or any other lent item – to a fellow Israelite, often referred to as their "brother." This command underscores a principle of communal solidarity, compassion, and economic justice within God's covenant people, ensuring that aid to a struggling "brother" is given freely and not as an opportunity for personal gain or exploitation.
Deuteronomy 23 19 Context
Deuteronomy 23:19 is part of the Deuteronomic Law, specifically within a section dealing with miscellaneous social and cultic regulations (Deut 22-25) designed to establish Israel as a holy and just nation distinct from surrounding peoples. These laws were given to Israel as they stood on the verge of entering the Promised Land, guiding them on how to live in covenant relationship with God and each other in a communal agricultural society. The prohibition against interest is crucial for promoting internal solidarity, preventing economic disparity, and protecting the most vulnerable members of the community from falling into perpetual debt or destitution, ensuring no Israelite would "bite" another through financial exploitation. This is set against the backdrop of common ancient Near Eastern practices where interest rates were often high and oppressive, leading to debt slavery.
Deuteronomy 23 19 Word analysis
- You shall not charge: This phrase conveys a strong, absolute prohibition, indicating a non-negotiable command from God. It directly addresses the Israelite citizen regarding their financial conduct.
- interest: (Hebrew: neshekh, נֶשֶׁךְ) Literally means "biting" or "bitter." This word conveys the harmful or exploitative nature of charging interest, implying a predatory or oppressive gain that can 'bite' and devour the livelihood of the borrower. It's not merely a neutral "charge" but something that gnaws away at a person's well-being.
- on loans to your brother: The crucial recipient of the loan. "Brother" (l'akhikha) specifically refers to a fellow Israelite, highlighting the unique covenant relationship and communal responsibility within the Israelite nation. This command did not apply to foreigners (as clarified in Deut 23:20), indicating a specific ethic for internal community welfare as distinct from external commercial relations. The law is thus foundational to Israel's internal social justice system.
- interest on money: (Hebrew: keseph - silver, referring to currency or metal by weight). This specifies the most common form of lending, dealing with capital itself.
- interest on food: (Hebrew: okhel - foodstuff, provisions). This extends the prohibition to essential commodities, emphasizing protection for those needing basic sustenance. If someone borrowed food during a famine or poor harvest, charging interest would be deeply unjust and life-threatening.
- interest on anything that is lent out: (Hebrew: kol-davar asher yishakh - every word/thing which bites). This broadens the scope of the prohibition to encompass any other item or asset that might be lent, ensuring that no loophole exists for charging interest under different guises. This illustrates the comprehensive nature of God's concern for justice within the community.
Deuteronomy 23 19 Bonus section
The distinction between the Hebrew term neshekh (biting/exploitative interest) and tarbit or marbit (increase/growth), though often both translated as "usury," suggests nuanced concerns in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 23:19 encompasses both concepts within its broad prohibition against taking profit from loans to a brother. The overarching concern was for the welfare of the needy, not a blanket prohibition against all forms of return on capital or investment in a commercial sense (which is seen in New Testament parables like the talents where investing money at interest is a norm). The primary aim was preventing oppression and maintaining social solidarity within the specific covenant community.
Deuteronomy 23 19 Commentary
Deuteronomy 23:19 articulates a fundamental principle of covenantal economics: economic activity within the community of God's people should prioritize social welfare and mutual support over individual financial gain from the vulnerability of fellow members. The prohibition against neshekh (interest/usury) particularly aims to prevent the exploitation of the poor and needy, who typically sought loans not for commercial investment, but for basic survival. It ensures that compassion, not avarice, governs transactions when a "brother" is in distress. This law reflects a divine blueprint for an egalitarian society where wealth does not systematically oppress the vulnerable, promoting horizontal justice and protecting the fabric of the Israelite community. For believers today, while the modern financial landscape is complex and commercial interest is a global norm, the underlying principle remains: the people of God should prioritize charity, avoid predatory lending practices, and generously aid those in genuine need within their spiritual family, mirroring God's compassionate provision.
Examples:
- A Christian community establishing a non-interest-bearing fund for members facing temporary financial hardship due to unemployment or illness.
- Individuals prioritizing helping a struggling fellow believer with direct aid or a truly interest-free loan for essential needs (e.g., medical bills, rent) rather than seeking financial return.