Leviticus 25:36
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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This verse isn't just about money; it's a profound call to see your brother's survival as the ultimate goal. "Take no usury or increase" isn't merely a financial regulation, but a directive to ensure that by lending to a struggling brother, you're actually helping him live, not pushing him further into the grave.
This command is part of a larger section about caring for impoverished fellow Israelites, especially within the context of the Jubilee year. It follows instructions on how to support a struggling brother so he doesn't fall into deeper poverty or servitude. The prohibition against taking usury or profit is therefore directly linked to ensuring the survival and well-being of those in desperate need within the community.
Imagine seeing a neighbor struggling, their business failing, their family hungry. What's your first instinct?
This verse hits us with a powerful command regarding how to treat a brother or sister in the faith who has fallen on hard times. It's not just about not oppressing them, but about actively helping them recover.
Lending with Love
The core instruction is "Take no interest from him or profit." This wasn't about denying loans altogether, but about the terms of the loan. When an Israelite (or even a sojourner living among them) was poor and needed to borrow, fellow Israelites were forbidden from charging interest or seeking any kind of financial gain from that loan.
The Purpose: Life, Not Loss
Why this strict rule? The verse tells us plainly: "that your brother may live beside you." The goal was to prevent the poor from being further crushed by debt, allowing them the space to get back on their feet and continue to be a part of the community. It’s about sustaining life, not extracting it.
What truly motivates your financial dealings, especially with those less fortunate?
The verse doesn't just lay out a rule; it points to the deeper motivation behind it.
Beyond the Letter of the Law
Ancient commentators noted that "interest" and "increase" could encompass various forms of financial gain beyond simple monetary interest, including gains on food or other goods. This shows a concern for all forms of exploitation that could harm a struggling brother.
The Ultimate Authority
But the command doesn't stop at defining forbidden practices. It anchors everything in "fear your God." This isn't about a cowering, superstitious fear, but a deep, reverent awe and respect for God's character and His commands. It means recognizing that God sees everything, understands our hearts, and cares deeply about how we treat the vulnerable.
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 directly precedes Leviticus 25:36 in the Law and establishes the prohibition against charging interest, laying the groundwork for this specific command within the context of caring for the poor.
Deuteronomy 23:19This verse reiterates the prohibition against taking interest from fellow Israelites, broadening the scope and emphasizing the underlying principle of communal care and avoiding exploitation.
Luke 6:35Jesus teaches to 'lend, expecting nothing in return,' which strongly echoes the spirit of Leviticus 25:36, highlighting the generosity and selfless love that should characterize our financial dealings with those in need.
1 Timothy 6:10While not directly about lending, this verse warns that the 'love of money' leads to various evils, providing a foundational understanding of the greed that Leviticus 25:36 seeks to curb by prioritizing human dignity over profit.
Proverbs 19:17This proverb states that 'whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,' offering a divine perspective on such acts of kindness and reinforcing the idea that supporting a struggling brother is ultimately an investment with heavenly returns, not a commercial transaction.
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 verse isn't just about money; it's a profound call to see your brother's survival as the ultimate goal. "Take no usury or increase" isn't merely a financial regulation, but a directive to ensure that by lending to a struggling brother, you're actually helping him live, not pushing him further into the grave.
This command is part of a larger section about caring for impoverished fellow Israelites, especially within the context of the Jubilee year. It follows instructions on how to support a struggling brother so he doesn't fall into deeper poverty or servitude. The prohibition against taking usury or profit is therefore directly linked to ensuring the survival and well-being of those in desperate need within the community.
This command is part of a larger section about caring for impoverished fellow Israelites, especially within the context of the Jubilee year. It follows instructions on how to support a struggling brother so he doesn't fall into deeper poverty or servitude. The prohibition against taking usury or profit is therefore directly linked to ensuring the survival and well-being of those in desperate need within the community.
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A Divine Perspective
When we truly fear God, our actions – even in seemingly small financial transactions – align with His will. This fear motivates us to act justly and compassionately, ensuring our brothers and sisters can survive and thrive within the community.
"Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you." — This verse isn't just about money; it's a profound call to see your brother's survival as the ultimate goal. "Take no usury or increase" isn't merely a financial regulation, but a directive to ensure…
