Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 25:36
What does Leviticus 25:36 mean?
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Leviticus 25:36
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This isn't just about money; the commands against "usury" and "increase" cover any kind of lending where the borrower is taken advantage of. The core idea is ensuring your struggling brother, whether Israelite or even a non-Israelite living among them, can actually survive and continue living beside you, not be driven out by debt.
Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse sits within a larger section about how Israelites should treat their impoverished brothers and sisters. It follows instructions on how to support a fellow Israelite who has fallen into hardship, ensuring they can continue to live within the community. The focus is on preventing those who have fallen on hard times from being further exploited by those who lend them money or goods, urging compassion and generosity instead.
When the Bible talks about 'usury' and 'increase,' it's not just about bank loans. It's about how we can exploit others, even with everyday goods.
Beyond a Financial Transaction
The verse prohibits taking 'usury' (often referring to money) and 'increase' (often referring to goods like food). This wasn't just to prevent financial ruin for a struggling brother, but to guard against any form of exploitation.
This law reminds us that our generosity should extend to the practical details of how we interact with those in need, ensuring our actions truly reflect God's heart for the vulnerable.
Why should we forgo profit when our neighbor is struggling? The answer isn't just about empathy; it's about a profound respect for God.
A Higher Law
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The core command isn't just "don't exploit the poor." It's "fear your God." This fear isn't terror, but a deep reverence and awe that leads to obedience.
When we truly fear God, our decisions about lending, business, and helping others are shaped not by potential profit, but by a desire to honor Him.
This law isn't just about preventing loss; it's about fostering life. What does a community built on generosity look like?
Life Beside You
The ultimate purpose stated in the verse is profound: "that your brother may live beside you." This points to the vision God has for His people.
This vision calls us to see our brothers and sisters not as potential sources of profit, but as individuals whose well-being is essential for the health of the entire community.
Understand the original words
neshek · Hebrew Noun
Refers to gain or increase charged on a loan, specifically the act of charging interest on money lent to a fellow Israelite, which was prohibited under the Mosaic law to prevent exploitation.
yare · Hebrew Verb
The reverent fear, awe, and submission directed toward God, acknowledging His holiness, authority, and sovereignty over one's life.
This passage lays the groundwork for the prohibition against usury, establishing the principle of not acting as a creditor towards the poor, which Leviticus 25:36 expands upon by specifically forbidding interest and profit.
Deuteronomy 23:19-20This text reiterates the prohibition against taking interest from fellow Israelites, explicitly mentioning both money and other goods, reinforcing the concern for the economic well-being of the community found in Leviticus.
Nehemiah 5:7-11This passage shows the practical consequences of violating the principles of Leviticus 25, as Nehemiah confronts the wealthy Israelites for oppressing the poor with usury and excessive land seizure, leading to their repentance and restoration.
Proverbs 28:8This proverb contrasts ill-gotten gains with righteousness, directly addressing the danger of accumulating wealth through usury or unjust profit, a behavior condemned in Leviticus 25:36 and condemned by the admonition to 'fear your God'.
pooleLeviticus 25:36: "Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee."
i.e. Of thy brother, whether he be Israelite or proselyte. Increase: this some conceive relates to the fruits of the earth, food, &c., as usury doth to money. But here may rather seem’ to be two words expressing the same thing, (1.) To meet with the subtle evasions of crafty and covetous men, who made gain of their poor brethren (for of such only he speaks here, as is evident from L…
clarkeLeviticus 25:36: "Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee."
Take thou no usury of him - Usury, at present, signifies unlawful interest for money. Properly, it means the reward or compensation given for the use of a thing, but is principally spoken of money. For the definition of the original term, See the note on Exodus 22:25 .
This isn't just about money; the commands against "usury" and "increase" cover any kind of lending where the borrower is taken advantage of. The core idea is ensuring your struggling brother, whether Israelite or even a non-Israelite living among them, can actually survive and continue living beside you, not be driven out by debt.
This verse sits within a larger section about how Israelites should treat their impoverished brothers and sisters. It follows instructions on how to support a fellow Israelite who has fallen into hardship, ensuring they can continue to live within the community. The focus is on preventing those who have fallen on hard times from being further exploited by those who lend them money or goods, urging compassion and generosity instead.
This verse sits within a larger section about how Israelites should treat their impoverished brothers and sisters. It follows instructions on how to support a fellow Israelite who has fallen into hardship, ensuring they can continue to live within the community. The focus is on preventing those who have fallen on hard times from being further exploited by those who lend them money or goods, urging compassion and generosity instead.
"Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you." — This isn't just about money; the commands against "usury" and "increase" cover any kind of lending where the borrower is taken advantage of. The core idea is ensuring your struggling brother, whether…
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Last reviewed October 2026