Leviticus 25:37

37 Do not make them pay interest on the money you lend them, and do not make a profit on the food you sell them. ¹

Leviticus 25:37 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 25:37

Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury
Lend him money, expecting and insisting upon a large interest for it; this is to be understood of persons in poor and necessitous circumstances, of which the text only speaks; otherwise, if persons borrow money to gain by it, to carry on a greater trade, or to make purchase with it, it is but reasonable that the lender should have a share of profit arising from thence: nor lend him thy victuals for increase;
by which it should seem that those two words, used in ( Leviticus 25:36 ) , though in the main they signify the same thing, yet may be distinguished, the one as concerning money, the other food; and which latter is not to be given by way of loan to a person in want of it, but freely; as for instance, if a man gives a poor man a bushel of wheat, on condition he gives him two for it hereafter, this is lending or giving his victuals for increase.

Leviticus 25:37 In-Context

35 If any Israelites living near you become poor and cannot support themselves, you must provide for them as you would for a hired worker, so that they can continue to live near you.

36 Do not charge Israelites any interest, but obey God and let them live near you.

37 Do not make them pay interest on the money you lend them, and do not make a profit on the food you sell them.

38 This is the command of the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt in order to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.

39 If any Israelites living near you become so poor that they sell themselves to you as a slave, you shall not make them do the work of a slave.

Cross References

• 1. 25.37Exodus 22.25;Deuteronomy 23.19, 20.