Leviticus 25:37

37 Don't take advantage of his plight by running up big interest charges on his loans, and don't give him food for profit.

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 one of your brothers becomes indigent and cannot support himself, help him, the same as you would a foreigner or a guest so that he can continue to live in your neighborhood.

36 Don't gouge him with interest charges; out of reverence for your God help your brother to continue to live with you in the neighborhood.

37 Don't take advantage of his plight by running up big interest charges on his loans, and don't give him food for profit.

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

39 "If one of your brothers becomes indigent and has to sell himself to you, don't make him work as a slave.