Leviticus 25:37

37 Thou shalt not lend thy money to him at interest, and thou shalt not lend thy meat to him to be returned with increase.

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 And if thy brother who is with thee become poor, and he fail in resources with thee, thou shalt help him as a stranger and a sojourner, and thy brother shall live with thee.

36 Thou shalt not receive from him interest, nor increase: and thou shalt fear thy God: I the Lord: and thy brother shall live with thee.

37 Thou shalt not lend thy money to him at interest, and thou shalt not lend thy meat to him to be returned with increase.

38 I the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Chanaan, so as to be your God.

39 And if thy brother by thee be lowered, and be sold to thee, he shall not serve thee with the servitude of a slave.