5110. tokos

Lexicon

tokos: Interest, usury

Original Word: τόκος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: tokos
Pronunciation: TO-kos
Phonetic Spelling: (tok'-os)
Definition: Interest, usury
Meaning: interest, usury.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

usury.

From the base of tikto; interest on money loaned (as a produce) -- usury.

see GREEK tikto

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from tiktó
Definition
a bringing forth, birth, fig. interest, usury
NASB Translation
interest (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5110: τόκος

τόκος, τόκου, ὁ (from τίκτω, perfect τέτοκα);

1. birth;

a. the act of bringing forth.

b. that which has been brought forth, offspring; (in both senses from Homer down).

2. interest of money, usury (because it multiplies money, and as it were 'breeds' (cf. e. g. Merchant of Venice 1:3)): Matthew 25:27; Luke 19:23 (so in Greek writings from Pindar and Aristophanes down; the Sept. for נֶשֶׁך).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb τίκτω (tiktō), meaning "to bring forth" or "to bear."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of interest or usury in the Hebrew Bible is often represented by the Hebrew word נֶשֶׁךְ (neshek), Strong's Hebrew 5392. This term is used in various Old Testament passages to discuss the ethical considerations of lending and the prohibition of charging interest to fellow Israelites.

Usage: The word "τόκος" is used in the New Testament to discuss financial practices, particularly in the context of lending and borrowing. It appears in discussions about ethical financial behavior and the moral implications of charging interest.

Context: The concept of "τόκος" in the New Testament is closely tied to the ethical teachings of Jesus and the apostles regarding wealth and financial dealings. In the ancient world, charging interest on loans was a common practice, but it was often viewed with suspicion and moral concern, especially when it led to the exploitation of the poor.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus addresses the issue of lending and interest in the context of love and generosity. Luke 6:34-35 (BSB) states, "And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High."

This teaching emphasizes the importance of selfless giving and the avoidance of financial practices that prioritize personal gain over the well-being of others. The early Christian community was encouraged to practice generosity and to avoid the pitfalls of greed and exploitation that could arise from charging interest.

The use of "τόκος" in the New Testament reflects a broader biblical theme that cautions against the love of money and the ethical responsibilities of those who have wealth. It aligns with Old Testament teachings that prohibit usury among the Israelites, as seen in passages like Exodus 22:25 and Leviticus 25:36-37.

Forms and Transliterations

τόκον τόκος τόκου τόκους τοκω τόκω τόκῳ τόκων τόλμη toko tokō tókoi tókōi

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 25:27 N-DMS
GRK: ἐμὸν σὺν τόκῳ
NAS: I would have received my [money] back with interest.
KJV: mine own with usury.
INT: my own with interest

Luke 19:23 N-DMS
GRK: ἐλθὼν σὺν τόκῳ ἂν αὐτὸ
NAS: I would have collected it with interest?'
KJV: mine own with usury?
INT: having come with interest anyhow it

Strong's Greek 5110
2 Occurrences

τόκῳ — 2 Occ.