Leviticus 25:35-37

Kindness for Poor Brothers

35 "If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, 1you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.
36 2Take no interest from him or profit, but 3fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.
37 4You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.

Leviticus 25:35-37 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 25

In this chapter the Israelites are directed, when come into the land of Canaan, to observe every seventh year as a sabbatical year, in which there was to be no tillage of the land, and yet there would be a sufficiency for man and beast, Le 25:1-7; and every fiftieth year as a year of jubilee, in which also there was to be no tillage of the land, and every man was to return to his possession or estate, which had been sold to another any time before this, Le 25:8-17; and a promise of safety and plenty in the seventh year is made to encourage the observance of it, Le 25:18-22; and several laws and rules are delivered out concerning the sale of lands, the redemption of them, and their return to their original owner in the year of jubilee, Le 25:23-28; and the sale of houses, and the redemption of them, and the difference between those in walled cities and those in villages, with respect thereunto, Le 25:29-31; and also concerning the houses of the cities of the Levites, and the fields of the suburbs of them, Le 25:32-34; to which are added some instructions about relieving decayed, persons, and lending and giving to them, without taking usury of them, Le 25:34-38; and other laws concerning the release of such Israelites as had sold themselves for servants to the Israelites, in the year of jubilee, since none but Heathens were to be bondmen and bondmaids for ever, Le 25:39-46; and of such who were sold to proselytes, Le 25:47-55.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Deuteronomy 15:7, 8; [Psalms 41:1; Psalms 112:5, 9; Proverbs 14:31; Acts 11:29; 1 John 3:17]
  • 2. See Exodus 22:25
  • 3. ver. 17, 43; Nehemiah 5:9; [Malachi 3:5]
  • 4. [See ver. 36 above]
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