Deuteronomy 23:19

Charging interest

19 Don't charge your fellow Israelites interest—whether on money, provisions, or anything one might loan.

Deuteronomy 23:19 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 23:19

Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother
One of the same nation and religion, and who is in poor and necessitous circumstances, and wants either food for himself and family, or money to carry on his husbandry, till such times as the fruits of his ground will bring him in a sufficiency for his support, and the payment of what he borrows, and which is to be lent him without any interest: as the Jews were chiefly employed in husbandry, and not merchandise, they had but little occasion to borrow, and when they did could not afford to pay interest, as persons concerned in merchandise, whose gains are great, are able to do; and it is but reasonable that such persons should; but that the Israelites, when poor and in distress, might not be bowed down under their burdens, this law is made for their relief:

usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of anything that is lent
upon usury;
this takes in all sorts of usury, whether what is lent be money or food, or anything else, no interest was to be taken for it; (See Gill on Leviticus 25:36); (See Gill on Leviticus 25:37).

Deuteronomy 23:19 In-Context

17 No Israelite daughter is allowed to be a consecrated worker. Neither is any Israelite son allowed to be a consecrated worker.
18 Don't bring a female prostitute's fee or a male prostitute's payment to the LORD your God's temple to pay a solemn promise because both of these things are detestable to the LORD your God.
19 Don't charge your fellow Israelites interest—whether on money, provisions, or anything one might loan.
20 You can charge foreigners interest, but not your fellow Israelite. Do this so that the LORD your God blesses you in all your work on the land you are entering to possess.
21 When you make a promise to the LORD your God, don't put off making good on it, because the LORD your God will certainly be expecting it from you; delaying would make you guilty.
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