Exodus 22:25

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

If thou lend {H3867} money {H3701} to any of my people {H5971} that is poor {H6041} by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer {H5383}, neither shalt thou lay {H7760} upon him usury {H5392}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"If you loan money to one of my people who is poor, you are not to deal with him as would a creditor; and you are not to charge him interest.

Berean Standard Bible

If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.

American Standard Version

If thou lend money to any of my people with thee that is poor, thou shalt not be to him as a creditor; neither shall ye lay upon him interest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 22:25 is a pivotal commandment within the Mosaic Law, specifically addressing the ethical imperative concerning financial loans to the poor within the covenant community. It strictly prohibits the charging of interest (usury) when lending money to fellow Israelites who are in financial distress, thereby underscoring God's profound concern for social justice, the welfare of the vulnerable, and the establishment of an economic system rooted in compassion rather than exploitation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the "Book of the Covenant" ([Exodus 20:22-23:33](/exodus/20-22 "Exodus 20:22-23:33 - The Book of the Covenant")), which immediately follows the Ten Commandments ([Exodus 20:1-17](/exodus/20-1 "Exodus 20:1-17 - The Ten Commandments")). This section elaborates on the foundational moral principles given at Sinai, translating them into specific civil and social laws designed to govern the daily life, relationships, and economic interactions of the newly formed nation of Israel. The laws here, including the prohibition on usury, demonstrate how the broad ethical demands of the Decalogue were to be practically applied to foster a just and compassionate society, reflecting God's own righteous character and His covenant relationship with His people. The immediate preceding verses deal with personal injury, property rights, and social responsibilities, setting a tone of communal accountability and protection for the vulnerable.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was primarily an agrarian society where economic stability was precarious. Factors such as drought, famine, illness, or livestock loss could quickly plunge families into destitution, necessitating loans for survival (e.g., to buy seed, food, or avoid debt slavery). In the broader Ancient Near East, charging interest on loans was common practice, often leading to severe exploitation of the poor, sometimes even resulting in perpetual debt or enslavement. However, the Mosaic Law, as seen in [Exodus 22:25](/exodus/22-25 "Exodus 22:25 - Prohibition of Usury"), [Leviticus 25:35-37](/leviticus/25-35 "Leviticus 25:35-37 - Care for the Poor") and [Deuteronomy 23:19-20](/deuteronomy/23-19 "Deuteronomy 23:19-20 - Rules on Lending"), established a radically different economic ethic for Israel. Within the covenant community, lending to the poor was viewed not as a commercial opportunity for profit, but as an act of communal responsibility and mercy. This distinct approach aimed to prevent the wealthy from profiting from the desperation of their fellow Israelites, thereby upholding the dignity of the poor and ensuring that economic hardship did not lead to irreversible social stratification or oppression.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Usurer (Hebrew, _nashah'_):** This verb (נָשָׁה) means "to lend on interest" or "to be a creditor." When used in the context of "usurer," it refers to someone who acts as a lender specifically for the purpose of profiting from the interest charged, particularly to the detriment of the borrower. The prohibition is against adopting the *role* or *posture* of such a person when dealing with the poor, emphasizing that the lender's primary motivation should be assistance, not gain.
* **Usury (Hebrew, _neshek'_):** The noun (נֶשֶׁךְ) literally means "a bite" or "a sting." This vivid imagery conveys the painful, corrosive, and debilitating effect that interest could have on a poor borrower. It suggests that charging interest to someone already struggling is like a venomous bite, slowly consuming their meager resources and further entangling them in debt, rather than providing genuine relief. The KJV's use of "usury" here specifically refers to interest charged on loans to the poor, which was forbidden within the Israelite community.
* **Usury (Hebrew, _tarbith'_):** While not explicitly in Exodus 22:25, this related term (תַּרְבִּית), meaning "increase" or "gain," is found in other parallel passages (e.g., [Leviticus 25:36](/leviticus/25-36 "Leviticus 25:36 - No Interest or Profit")). It complements `neshek` by encompassing any form of increase or profit taken on a loan to a poor Israelite, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of the prohibition against exploiting the needy through financial means.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If thou lend money to [any of] my people [that is] poor by thee":** This opening clause establishes the specific context and recipient of the law. The loan is to "my people" (Israelites), emphasizing the covenantal bond and communal responsibility. Crucially, the recipient is "poor by thee," highlighting their vulnerable economic status and their proximity within the community. This is not a general commercial regulation but a specific directive concerning compassionate aid to the needy.
* **"thou shalt not be to him as an usurer":** This phrase forbids the lender from assuming the *role* or *character* of an exploitative creditor. It implies a mindset: the lender should not approach the transaction with the primary goal of financial gain from the poor person's distress. Instead, the lending is to be an act of mercy, not a business venture designed for profit at the expense of the vulnerable.
* **"neither shalt thou lay upon him usury":** This second prohibition explicitly forbids the *act* of charging interest. The term "usury" (neshek) here, with its imagery of a "bite," underscores the harmful nature of such a charge. It ensures that the loan, intended to alleviate suffering, does not become an additional burden that further impoverishes the borrower, trapping them in a cycle of debt. The divine command is clear: a loan to the poor must be without any financial increase.

#### Literary Devices
The language of Exodus 22:25 employs **Legal Mandate** to convey a direct and unambiguous divine command, establishing a non-negotiable ethical standard for financial interactions within the Israelite community. The use of the Hebrew word `neshek` (usury) functions as a powerful **Metaphor**, literally meaning "a bite" or "a sting." This vivid imagery effectively communicates the painful, corrosive, and detrimental effect that charging interest would have on a poor borrower, likening it to a venomous attack that slowly consumes their meager resources and compounds their distress. This metaphorical language serves to evoke empathy and underscore the severity of the prohibited act, making the divine disapproval of exploitation palpable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 22:25 is a profound expression of God's character as a protector of the poor and a champion of justice, a theme woven throughout the entire biblical narrative. It reveals that true worship of Yahweh involves not only ritual obedience but also ethical conduct, particularly in how the powerful interact with the vulnerable. This law establishes a foundational principle that economic systems within God's covenant community must prioritize human dignity and communal welfare over individual profit when the needy are involved. It challenges the inherent human tendency towards greed and exploitation, calling God's people to reflect His own compassion and generosity.

* [Leviticus 25:35-37](/leviticus/25-35 "Leviticus 25:35-37 - Care for the Poor and No Usury"): This passage reiterates and expands upon the prohibition of usury, emphasizing the duty to support a struggling Israelite brother so that he may "live with you."
* [Deuteronomy 15:7-8](/deuteronomy/15-7 "Deuteronomy 15:7-8 - Open Hand to the Poor"): This text commands generosity and open-handedness towards the poor, reinforcing the spirit of compassion that undergirds the usury law.
* [Nehemiah 5:1-11](/nehemiah/5-1 "Nehemiah 5:1-11 - Nehemiah Addresses Exploitation"): Nehemiah confronts and condemns the wealthy nobles and officials who were charging interest to their impoverished Jewish brethren, forcing them into debt slavery, demonstrating the practical violation and subsequent restoration of this very law.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 22:25 stands as a timeless call to ethical financial conduct and radical compassion. While the specific economic conditions of ancient Israel differ from our complex modern financial systems, the underlying principle remains profoundly relevant: the vulnerable should never be exploited for financial gain. For believers today, this verse challenges us to examine our own hearts and practices. Are we motivated by genuine care for our neighbor, especially the struggling, or by a desire for profit at any cost? It compels us to advocate for and participate in economic systems that uphold justice, alleviate poverty, and prioritize human dignity. This might involve supporting ethical lending institutions, contributing to poverty alleviation programs, or simply extending grace and practical help to those in our immediate sphere who are in financial distress, ensuring that our actions reflect the character of a God who cares deeply for the poor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the prohibition against usury in Exodus 22:25 challenge common attitudes towards money and profit in contemporary society?**
* **In what ways can believers today apply the spirit of this law to their personal financial decisions and their engagement with economic systems?**
* **How does God's concern for the poor, as expressed in this verse, shape our understanding of Christian charity and social justice?**

### FAQ
**What exactly is "usury" in the context of Exodus 22:25, and how does it differ from modern interest?**

Answer: In Exodus 22:25, "usury" (Hebrew: `neshek`) refers specifically to any interest or increase charged on a loan made to a fellow Israelite who is poor or in distress. The intent was to prevent exploitation within the covenant community, ensuring that a loan meant to alleviate suffering did not become an additional burden. This is distinct from modern interest, which is a standard charge for the use of borrowed money in commercial transactions. The biblical prohibition was not against all interest in all contexts (e.g., interest on loans to foreigners was permitted in [Deuteronomy 23:20](/deuteronomy/23-20 "Deuteronomy 23:20 - Lending to Foreigners")), but specifically against profiting from the desperate need of a fellow Israelite. The core principle is that financial aid to the poor should be an act of mercy, not a commercial venture.

**Does this verse mean all interest-bearing loans are forbidden for Christians today?**

Answer: No, not necessarily. While the literal application of "usury" in Exodus 22:25 was specific to loans to the poor within ancient Israel, the underlying ethical principle is vital. The New Testament does not explicitly forbid all interest, but it consistently emphasizes generosity, compassion for the poor, and avoiding exploitation. For example, Jesus' parable of the talents ([Matthew 25:27](/matthew/25-27 "Matthew 25:27 - Parable of the Talents")) implies that a reasonable return on investment is not inherently wrong. The key is the *spirit* of the law: avoiding predatory lending, not profiting from another's desperation, and ensuring that financial practices are just and compassionate. Christians are called to practice ethical lending, avoid excessive or exploitative interest rates, and prioritize helping the vulnerable over personal gain, reflecting the heart of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 22:25, with its stern prohibition against exploiting the poor through usury, finds its ultimate fulfillment and elevation in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. While the Mosaic Law provided external regulations for a covenant community, Christ embodies and perfects the spirit of radical generosity and self-sacrificial love that undergirds this command. Jesus consistently identified with the poor and marginalized, declaring that what is done for "one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Parable of the Sheep and Goats")). His teachings on giving without expecting return ([Luke 6:34-35](/luke/6-34 "Luke 6:34-35 - Lending Without Expectation")) and His parable of the Good Samaritan ([Luke 10:25-37](/luke/10-25 "Luke 10:25-37 - Parable of the Good Samaritan")) exemplify a boundless compassion that far exceeds mere legal compliance. The Old Testament law prevented exploitation; Christ calls His followers to active, costly love that seeks the welfare of the neighbor above personal gain, even to the point of laying down one's life. In Christ, the focus shifts from merely avoiding harm to actively seeking the flourishing of others, especially the vulnerable, thereby fulfilling the law's deepest intent through the Spirit of God poured into our hearts.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.