Leviticus 25:35-38

35 “ ‘If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you.
36 Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you.
37 You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit.
38 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.

Leviticus 25:35-38 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 7

  • 1. Deuteronomy 24:14,15
  • 2. Deuteronomy 15:8; Psalms 37:21,26; Proverbs 21:26; Luke 6:35
  • 3. S Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Jeremiah 15:10
  • 4. S Leviticus 19:32
  • 5. S Exodus 22:25
  • 6. S Genesis 10:19
  • 7. S Genesis 17:7; Leviticus 11:45
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.