Leviticus 25:37

37 Do not lend a poor Israelite money with interest or lend food at a 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 fellow Israelites faces financial difficulty and is in a shaky situation with you, you must assist them as you would an immigrant or foreign guest so that they can survive among you.

36 Do not take interest from them, or any kind of profit from interest, but fear your God so that your fellow Israelite can survive among you.

37 Do not lend a poor Israelite money with interest or lend food at a profit.

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

39 If one of your fellow Israelites faces financial difficulty with you and sells themselves to you, you must not make him work as a slave.