Leviticus 25:37

37 You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your 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 Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you.

36 Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you.

37 You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.

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

39 If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor.