Leviticus 25:37

37 Never collect any kind of interest on your money or on the food you give them.

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 an Israelite becomes poor and cannot support himself, help him. He must live with you as a stranger without a permanent home.

36 Don't collect interest or make any profit from him. Fear your God by respecting other Israelites' lives.

37 Never collect any kind of interest on your money or on the food you give them.

38 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you Canaan and to be your God.

39 "If an Israelite becomes poor and sells himself to you, don't work him like a slave.