Lexical Summary neshek: Interest, usury Original Word: נֶשֶׁךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance usury From nashak; interest on a debt -- usury. see HEBREW nashak NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nashak Definition interest, usury NASB Translation interest (10). Brown-Driver-Briggs נֶ֫שֶׁךְ noun [masculine] interest, usury (literally something bitten off); — ׳נ absolute Exodus 22:24 +; construct Deuteronomy 23:20; — with שִׂים עַלֿ Exodus 22:24 (E); with לָקַח מִן Leviticus 25:36, הֵשִׁיב מִן Ezekiel 18:17, לָקַח Ezekiel 22:12 (no preposition), בְּנֶשֶׁךְ Leviticus 25:37 at interest, so Psalm 15:5; Ezekiel 18:8,13; ׳בְּנ Proverbs 28:8 by usury; as accusative of congnate meaning with verb Deuteronomy 23:20 (3 t. in verse). Topical Lexicon Definition and Overview נֶשֶׁךְ describes the taking of interest on a loan, figuratively a “bite” that diminishes the borrower’s life and resources. Scripture treats the practice as a moral issue, not a mere financial tool, because it reveals either mercy or exploitation toward the vulnerable. Covenantal Prohibitions in the Torah • Exodus 22:25 commands Israel, “If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest”. Together these texts form a comprehensive covenantal policy: covenant members are a family; charging interest to exploit a brother or sister is a violation of that family bond. This ethic is reinforced by Sabbath-year debt remission and the Year of Jubilee, creating a society where cyclical poverty is broken. Purpose of the Commandments 1. Protect the poor from perpetual indebtedness. Wisdom and Worship Perspective Psalm 15 presents the righteous worshiper, “who does not lend his money at interest” (Psalm 15:5), showing that freedom from נֶשֶׁךְ is a mark of one who may “dwell in the tent of the LORD.” Proverbs 28:8 warns, “He who increases his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for one who is kind to the poor,” portraying unjust gain as ultimately futile. Wisdom literature internalizes the Torah’s social legislation into personal ethics. Prophetic Indictments Ezekiel fiercely condemns interest as evidence of covenant unfaithfulness: The prophets reveal that systemic exploitation, not merely private misdeeds, provoked exile. Theological Themes 1. God’s ownership of all resources (Leviticus 25:23). Continuity in the New Covenant While the New Testament never legislates a blanket ban on interest, the spirit of נֶשֶׁךְ shapes teaching on generosity (Luke 6:34–35) and condemns greed (1 Timothy 6:10). Early believers pooled resources so “there was no needy one among them” (Acts 4:34), embodying the Torah ideal. Historical Practice in Israel Extra-biblical contracts from the ancient Near East show exorbitant rates (20–50 percent). Israel’s law was counter-cultural, limiting profit to commercial, not personal, lending. By the Second Temple period, rabbis debated acceptable rates even with foreigners, illustrating ongoing tension between economic opportunity and covenant mercy. Ministry Applications Today • Lending ministries: Churches and Christian nonprofits can model interest-free microloans within the body of Christ. Christological Fulfillment Jesus, though rich, “for your sakes became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9), meeting the deepest debt of sin. His self-giving sets the pattern: the strong relieve the weak, not profit from them. Related Concepts • Jubilee economics (Leviticus 25). In every age, the prohibition of נֶשֶׁךְ calls God’s people to reflect His generous justice, offering economic relationships that heal rather than harm. Forms and Transliterations בְּנֶ֑שֶׁךְ בְּנֶ֣שֶׁךְ בְּנֶשֶׁךְ֮ בַּנֶּ֣שֶׁךְ בַּנֶּ֧שֶׁךְ בנשך נֶ֕שֶׁךְ נֶ֣שֶׁךְ נֶ֤שֶׁךְ נֶ֥שֶׁךְ נֶ֧שֶׁךְ נֶֽשֶׁךְ׃ נשך נשך׃ ban·ne·šeḵ bannešeḵ banNeshech bə·ne·šeḵ bənešeḵ beNeshech ne·šeḵ nešeḵ NeshechLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 22:25 HEB: תְשִׂימ֥וּן עָלָ֖יו נֶֽשֶׁךְ׃ NAS: to him; you shall not charge him interest. KJV: neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. INT: lay and interest Leviticus 25:36 Leviticus 25:37 Deuteronomy 23:19 Deuteronomy 23:19 Deuteronomy 23:19 Psalm 15:5 Proverbs 28:8 Ezekiel 18:8 Ezekiel 18:13 Ezekiel 18:17 Ezekiel 22:12 12 Occurrences |
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