Leviticus 25 37

Leviticus 25:37 kjv

Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.

Leviticus 25:37 nkjv

You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit.

Leviticus 25:37 niv

You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit.

Leviticus 25:37 esv

You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.

Leviticus 25:37 nlt

Remember, do not charge interest on money you lend him or make a profit on food you sell him.

Leviticus 25 verses

Leviticus 25 37 Meaning

Leviticus 25:37 prohibits the charging of interest on money or any form of increase on food and other goods lent to a fellow Israelite who is in financial need. This command serves to protect the economically vulnerable within the covenant community, ensuring that assistance given to the poor is truly aid and not a means of further exploitation or financial burden. It underscores a fundamental principle of brotherhood, compassion, and communal responsibility in ancient Israelite society.

Leviticus 25 37 Context

Leviticus chapter 25 details significant socio-economic laws for Israel, primarily revolving around the Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee. These divine regulations were designed to prevent extreme wealth disparity, restore familial lands, and free those enslaved due to poverty, thereby maintaining the tribal inheritance and Israel's unique social structure as a people set apart by God. Verse 37 falls within a specific section (25:35-38) that directly addresses the treatment of a fellow Israelite who has fallen into poverty. It underscores the preceding command in verse 35 to "support him, that he may live with you." The law against usury ensured that providing assistance to a struggling brother would not lead to further enslavement or destitution, reinforcing a system where charity and communal welfare took precedence over individual financial gain from hardship. Historically, these laws sharply contrasted with surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures, where high interest rates were common and often resulted in perpetual debt-slavery.

Leviticus 25 37 Word analysis

• You shall not lend: This opening imperative in the negative form (לֹ֣א תִתֵּ֤ן, lo' titen) signifies an absolute prohibition, not a mere suggestion. It emphasizes a divine command for how God's people are to interact financially, particularly concerning the vulnerable.
• him: Refers back to the "brother" who has become poor (Lev 25:35). The specific recipient of the loan highlights the relational aspect within the covenant community, where mutual aid is paramount.
• your money (כַסְפְּךָ֖): Keseph. Refers specifically to silver or any form of currency. This part of the prohibition addresses monetary loans.
• at interest (בְּנֶ֑שֶׁךְ): Neshekh (נֶ֫שֶׁךְ). This Hebrew word literally means "a bite" or "biting." It metaphorically describes the detrimental effect of charging interest on the principal, where the interest gradually "devours" or "bites away" the borrower's resources. This term strongly conveys the exploitative nature of such a charge when levied against a needy kinsman.
• nor lend him (וּבְמַרְבִּ֖ית לֹא־תִתֶּן־אָכְלֶֽךָ): The repetitive negative construction (lo' titten) emphasizes the broad scope of the prohibition. This phrasing transitions to the second specific form of forbidden profit.
• your food (אָכְלֶֽךָ): Okhel. This signifies foodstuffs, grain, or any commodities essential for sustenance and survival. In an agrarian society, loans of food were vital during famine, drought, or poor harvests.
• for profit (תַּרְבִּ֑ית): Tarbith (תַּרְבִּית) or Marbith. This term means "increase," "growth," or "profit." While neshekh is generally applied to monetary interest, tarbith specifically denotes an increment or additional quantity taken when a loan consists of goods like grain, oil, or wine. For example, if 10 units of grain were borrowed, taking back 11 units would constitute tarbith. Both terms are linked to the exploitation of a distressed borrower, making it more difficult for them to recover.
• not lend him your money at interest: This phrase forbids profiting financially from a brother's monetary need. The focus is on the burden that interest would place on someone already struggling.
• nor lend him your food for profit: This complementary phrase extends the prohibition to essential goods, highlighting that even in kind, the act of assistance should be free of exploitative charges, allowing the needy to repay only what they received, thus truly aiding their recovery.

Leviticus 25 37 Bonus section

The laws regarding interest in Leviticus and Deuteronomy emphasize the unique covenant relationship within Israel. This did not necessarily forbid interest in all commercial dealings (e.g., loans to foreigners, as per Deut 23:20, implying different principles for commercial vs. relief loans) but specifically prohibited exploitation of fellow Israelites in vulnerable situations. The underlying theological principle is that all land and wealth ultimately belong to God (Lev 25:23), and Israelites are His stewards, not absolute owners. Therefore, their economic practices were to reflect His character of justice and compassion. This law highlights a key component of what it meant to be a holy nation set apart from the nations around them, demonstrating God’s character to the world. It compels believers today to consider ethical dimensions of finance, seeking practices that empower and support, rather than burden and exploit, especially when dealing with the poor and vulnerable.

Leviticus 25 37 Commentary

Leviticus 25:37 forms a crucial ethical standard within the Mosaic Law, mandating compassionate financial practices toward the impoverished within the Israelite community. The distinction between neshekh (interest on money) and tarbith (increase on goods/food) illustrates a comprehensive and precise divine directive against profiting from a fellow Israelite's hardship. This was not a general condemnation of all forms of interest or legitimate commercial gain but specifically prohibited the exploitation of one in distress. The law was designed to prevent a cycle of debt and ensure social solidarity, mirroring God's own gracious provision for His people. It affirmed that lending to the needy should be an act of brotherhood, motivated by mercy, not an opportunity for personal enrichment. This fostered a society radically different from its neighbors, where mutual aid upheld dignity and prevented a perpetual state of economic servitude. Its spiritual message teaches dependence on God's provision and the practice of divine compassion amongst His children.

For example, a family whose crops failed would be lent seed for the next season by a wealthier neighbor, with the clear understanding that only the original amount of seed would be repaid, without any added quantity for profit. Or, if a severe illness depleted a family's savings, a monetary loan from a community member would be given without any expectation of interest upon repayment. These acts cemented community bonds and reflected a trust in God as the ultimate provider.