Ezekiel 18:8
does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This passage emphasizes that true righteousness isn't just about avoiding outright sin, but also about actively foregoing unfair gain, particularly by not profiting from a neighbor's hardship through interest or other exploitative practices. It calls for meticulous fairness in all dealings, ensuring justice isn't just a principle, but the actual practice between people.
Ezekiel is directly addressing the people of Judah who believe they are suffering because of their ancestors' sins. To counter this excuse, the prophet lays out a list of righteous actions that demonstrate a genuine walk with God, contrasting them with sinful behavior. This verse is part of that description, highlighting how a truly righteous person avoids exploiting others financially and acts with integrity in all dealings.
The Bible talks about 'usury' and 'increase,' but what does that really mean for us today? It's more than just avoiding high interest rates.
In Ezekiel's time, the law distinguished between lending to fellow Israelites and lending to foreigners. When lending to a fellow Israelite, especially one in distress, charging any interest ('usury' or 'biting') was forbidden. The goal wasn't to regulate commercial loans for profit, but to encourage compassion and support for those struggling within the community.
Think of it this way: it was about preventing people from taking advantage of a neighbor's desperation. The principle wasn't necessarily against all interest for all time, but it strongly emphasized that when dealing with someone in need, our primary motivation should be love and support, not personal financial gain. The 'increase' mentioned alongside usury refers to other forms of unfair profit gained from transactions.
What does 'true justice' look like in our everyday interactions? It's about more than just following rules.
Ezekiel emphasizes executing 'true justice.' This means more than just avoiding outright corruption or fraud. It calls for impartiality and integrity in all dealings between people.
This applies whether you're in a formal position of judgment, like a judge, or in everyday transactions where you might influence or mediate between others. It's about fairness, truthfulness, and upholding what's right, regardless of personal feelings, fear, or favor towards anyone involved. It requires actively withdrawing your hand from any injustice, ensuring your actions and decisions are grounded in genuine equity.
Ezekiel is speaking to exiled Judeans who are grappling with the destruction of their nation and questioning God's justice. The prophet emphasizes that their suffering is due to their own generations' sins, not the sins of their ancestors, and outlines the righteous life that would have averted disaster.
c. 1400-1200 BC
The Law is Given
The Torah, including laws against usury and commands for justice, is given to Israel. These laws were foundational to their social and economic life.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of many Israelites. This event served as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins deporting Judeans to Babylon, including members of the royal family and educated elite. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation to Babylon
Babylon deports more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel himself, after a rebellion. They were taken to Babylon and settled in communities along the Chebar River.
This passage directly echoes Ezekiel's prohibition against lending at interest to a fellow Israelite, framing it as an act of compassion rooted in God's covenant love.
Leviticus 25:36Here, the command against taking usury or profit is laid out as part of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the principle of supporting the poor within the community without personal gain.
Deuteronomy 23:20This verse reiterates the prohibition of taking interest from a fellow Israelite, allowing it only with foreigners, highlighting the unique ethical standards God set for His people.
Psalm 15:5The Psalmist lists 'not lending at usury or taking any increase' as a characteristic of one who dwells in God's presence, showing this principle of economic fairness as a mark of genuine righteousness.
Luke 6:35Jesus expands on this principle, urging his followers to 'lend, expecting nothing in return,' which aligns with Ezekiel's depiction of a righteous person who doesn't profit from the needy.
ellicottEzekiel 18:8: "He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,"
(8) Given forth upon usury.— In Scripture usury does not mean excessive interest, as often in modern legislation, but any interest at all. This was strictly forbidden in the law to be taken of any Hebrew, though allowed, without limit as to amount, from foreigners. It had nothing to do with the regulation of commer…
cambridgeEzekiel 18:8: "He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,"
8 . On usury cf. the humane law, Leviticus 25:35-37 . The case supposed is that of lending to the poor, Exodus 22:25 ; Deuteronomy 23:20 . executed true judgment ] When acting as judge, or as umpire between man and man.
This passage emphasizes that true righteousness isn't just about avoiding outright sin, but also about actively foregoing unfair gain, particularly by not profiting from a neighbor's hardship through interest or other exploitative practices. It calls for meticulous fairness in all dealings, ensuring justice isn't just a principle, but the actual practice between people.
Ezekiel is directly addressing the people of Judah who believe they are suffering because of their ancestors' sins. To counter this excuse, the prophet lays out a list of righteous actions that demonstrate a genuine walk with God, contrasting them with sinful behavior. This verse is part of that description, highlighting how a truly righteous person avoids exploiting others financially and acts with integrity in all dealings.
Ezekiel is directly addressing the people of Judah who believe they are suffering because of their ancestors' sins. To counter this excuse, the prophet lays out a list of righteous actions that demonstrate a genuine walk with God, contrasting them with sinful behavior. This verse is part of that description, highlighting how a truly righteous person avoids exploiting others financially and acts with integrity in all dealings.
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586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Kingdom of Judah and leading to a final, larger deportation of its people. This was a devastating national catastrophe.
"does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man," — This passage emphasizes that true righteousness isn't just about avoiding outright sin, but also about actively foregoing unfair gain, particularly by not profiting from a neighbor's hardship through…
