Exodus 22:25
“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about not charging interest; it's a direct command to act as a support, not a drain, on those struggling. God calls His people to strengthen the weak, not to profit from their desperation by "biting" them with debt.
This passage is part of God's instructions to the Israelites, outlining laws for community well-being and justice, following the more detailed laws about sacrifices and other religious matters. It addresses how people should treat one another, particularly when it comes to financial matters involving those in need, and builds on principles of compassion and fairness previously given.
Why did God's law specifically protect the poor from interest on loans? It wasn't just about economics; it was about the heart.
This verse is a powerful reminder that our financial dealings should be guided by compassion, especially towards those struggling. God's law here is clear: when lending to a fellow Israelite who is poor, you are not to act like a 'moneylender' who squeezes every last cent, nor 'exact interest.'
The law distinguished between lending to Israelites and lending to foreigners. What does this tell us about God's heart and our responsibilities?
This verse, and others like it, reveals a nuanced approach to financial ethics in ancient Israel:
Understand the original words
nešek · Hebrew Noun
The legal or religious requirement to pay back a loan with additional fees. Biblical law strictly forbade charging interest to fellow Israelites in poverty to prevent economic enslavement and to encourage mercy.
This passage reinforces the principle of justice, stating, 'You shall not do injustice in judgment, nor in measurement, nor in weight, nor in measure.' It highlights that fairness, even in financial dealings, is a divine command, directly relating to the prohibition against usury for the poor.
Deuteronomy 15:7-8This passage speaks directly to the heart of lending to the poor, saying, 'If among you, one of your brothers should become poor... you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever that may be.' This echoes Exodus 22:25 by emphasizing generosity and provision for the needy, rather than exploitation.
Luke 6:34-35Jesus expands this principle, teaching, 'And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, seeking to get back the same. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great...' This reflects the spirit of Exodus 22:25 by calling for selfless giving, even when there's no expectation of personal gain.
Ezekiel 18:8This verse describes a righteous person as one 'who does not exact usury or take increase, but withdraws his hand from iniquity, executes true justice between man and man...' This shows how abstaining from usury, especially against the vulnerable, was seen as a hallmark of righteousness throughout Israel's history.
calvinExodus 22:25: "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury."
- If thou lend money to any of my people Humanity ought to be very greatly regarded in the matter of loans, especially when a person, being reduced to extremities, implores a rich man's compassion; for this is, in. point of fact, the genuine trial of our charity, when, in accordance with Christ's precept, we lend to those of whom we expect…
bensonExodus 22:25: "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury."
Exodus 22:25 . If thou lend — 1st, They must not receive use for money from any Israelite that borrowed for necessity. And such provision the law made for the preserving estates to their families by the years of jubilee, that a people who had little concern in trade could not be supposed to borrow money but for necessity; therefore it was gen…
This verse isn't just about not charging interest; it's a direct command to act as a support, not a drain, on those struggling. God calls His people to strengthen the weak, not to profit from their desperation by "biting" them with debt.
This passage is part of God's instructions to the Israelites, outlining laws for community well-being and justice, following the more detailed laws about sacrifices and other religious matters. It addresses how people should treat one another, particularly when it comes to financial matters involving those in need, and builds on principles of compassion and fairness previously given.
This passage is part of God's instructions to the Israelites, outlining laws for community well-being and justice, following the more detailed laws about sacrifices and other religious matters. It addresses how people should treat one another, particularly when it comes to financial matters involving those in need, and builds on principles of compassion and fairness previously given.
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"“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him." — This verse isn't just about not charging interest; it's a direct command to act as a support, not a drain, on those struggling. God calls His people to strengthen the weak, not to profit from their d…
