King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Do not take interest when you loan him money or take a profit when you sell him food.
Berean Standard Bible:
You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.
American Standard Version:
Thou shalt not give him thy money upon interest, nor give him thy victuals for increase.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt not give{H5414} him thy money{H3701} upon usury{H5392}, nor lend{H5414} him thy victuals{H400} for increase{H4768}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Leviticus 25:37
1. Themes:
- Economic Justice: The verse emphasizes fairness in economic dealings, particularly concerning lending practices. It prohibits the exploitation of the poor through exorbitant interest rates (usury).
- Compassion and Charity: It reflects the importance of treating fellow Israelites with kindness and generosity, especially when they are in need.
- Community Responsibility: The verse underscores the responsibility of the community to support its members without taking advantage of their misfortunes.
2. Historical Context:
- The verse is part of the Holiness Code in Leviticus, which outlines laws to maintain the ritual and moral purity of the Israelite community.
- The Israelites were an agrarian society, and economic hardship could easily lead to debt and enslavement. This law was designed to protect the vulnerable from falling into a cycle of debt and poverty.
- The Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) is also introduced in this context, where debts are to be forgiven, and land returned to its original owners every 50 years, ensuring economic equity.
- Usury, or charging interest on loans, was viewed negatively in many ancient societies and was often regulated by religious and civil laws.
- The verse reflects broader ancient Near Eastern concerns about economic exploitation, but within the context of Israel's covenant relationship with God, it also carries a moral and religious imperative to uphold justice and righteousness within the community.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H3701
There are 343 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֶּסֶף
Transliteration: keçeph
Pronunciation: keh'-sef
Description: from כָּסַף; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money; money, price, silver(-ling). - Strong's Number: H5392
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶשֶׁךְ
Transliteration: neshek
Pronunciation: neh'-shek
Description: from נָשַׁךְ; interest on a debt; usury. - Strong's Number: H400
There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹכֶל
Transliteration: ʼôkel
Pronunciation: o'-kel
Description: from אָכַל; food; eating, food, meal(-time), meat, prey, victuals. - Strong's Number: H4768
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַרְבִּית
Transliteration: marbîyth
Pronunciation: mar-beeth'
Description: from רָבָה; a multitude; also offspring; specifically interest (on capital); greatest part, greatness, increase, multitude.