What does Leviticus 25:36 teach about charging interest to fellow believers? Text “Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may live among you.” (Leviticus 25:36) Immediate Literary Context Leviticus 25 forms part of the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17–26) and addresses the Sabbatical and Jubilee legislation. Verses 35–38 focus on an Israelite who becomes financially destitute. The command in v. 36 stands between the call to sustain the poor brother (v. 35) and the reminder of Israel’s redemption from Egypt (v. 38), framing the no-interest rule as a practical expression of covenant faithfulness. Old Testament Parallels Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 23:19–20; Psalm 15:5; Nehemiah 5:7–13 all prohibit charging interest to “brother” Israelites. Interest from foreigners, however, is permitted (Deuteronomy 23:20), distinguishing family-covenant relations from commercial relations with outsiders. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near-Eastern law codes (e.g., Hammurabi §§48–50) regulated but did not forbid interest, typically 20 % on grain and 33 % on silver. Israel’s total ban within the covenant community was therefore counter-cultural, emphasizing divine ownership of the land (Leviticus 25:23). Elephantine papyri (5th c. BC) show Jews in Egypt charging interest to non-Jews, but not to fellow Jews, reflecting continuity of this ethic. Theological Rationale 1. Divine Ownership: “The land is Mine” (Leviticus 25:23). Israelites were tenants, so exploitative profit off tenants was inconsistent. 2. Redemption Paradigm: Yahweh rescued Israel without cost (v. 38); they must mirror that grace. 3. Covenant Brotherhood: Economic relationships are framed as family care, not impersonal commerce. Economic and Social Function in Israel Interest-free loans acted as social safety nets preventing perpetual slavery and land loss between Jubilees. Archaeological surveys at Tel Dan and Hazor reveal crop-storage silos dated to Iron II that align with central granary-store concepts, supporting a redistribution economy rather than debt-driven landlordism. Integration with Jubilee and Sabbatical Regulations Leviticus 25 links the no-interest rule with the 7-year debt release (Deuteronomy 15:1–11) and 50-year land restoration. These institutions function together: (a) zero-interest loans provide short-term relief; (b) Sabbatical remission prevents long-term debt; (c) Jubilee resets land tenure. The triad preserved economic mobility and maintained tribal allotments. Moral and Ethical Principle Interest is not inherently evil; exploitation of vulnerable kin is. The principle is compassionate stewardship driven by “fear of God.” Proverbs 28:8 condemns interest that increases wealth “unjustly,” while Jesus calls His followers to “lend, expecting nothing in return” (Luke 6:35). New Testament Continuity While the NT era engages a commercial Roman economy, believers are re-cast as the new covenant household (Galatians 6:10). The Jerusalem church practiced interest-free generosity (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35). Paul urges Corinth to give willingly, “not under compulsion” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Though the NT does not reinstate Mosaic civil penalties, it intensifies the ethic of self-sacrificial giving. Early Church Reception Didache 1.5 and Basil’s Homily on Psalm 14: “He who lends at interest is like one who bites.” Church councils (Nicea 325 AD, Canon 17) forbade clergy to charge interest to anyone, reflecting Leviticus 25:36’s enduring moral weight. Systematic Theology Connection • Attributes of God: mercy, justice, and holiness intersect in economic directives. • Anthropology: humans as imago Dei are not commodities. • Soteriology: the no-interest command foreshadows Christ’s redeeming believers “not with silver or gold” (1 Peter 1:18). Practical Contemporary Application 1. Personal Lending: Christians today emulate covenant love by offering interest-free help within the church, particularly to the needy. 2. Church Benevolence Funds: Local bodies can structure zero-interest micro-loans or grants. 3. Business Ethics: Commercial interest in market settings may be permissible, but exploiting the financially weak violates the Levitical principle. 4. Advocacy: Supporting policies that curb predatory lending (e.g., payday loans >400 % APR) incarnates biblical justice. Common Objections and Clarifications • “The command is only for agrarian Israel.” Response: While civil specifics vary, the moral rationale (brotherly love grounded in divine grace) transcends culture. • “It bans all interest.” Response: Deuteronomy 23:20 and Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25:27) show legitimate commercial interest; the target is oppression of covenant family. • “Modern economies can’t function without interest.” Response: The text never prohibits profit; it prescribes generosity toward those reduced to need. Modern credit unions and community development models demonstrate viability of low/zero-interest aid. Conclusion Leviticus 25:36 teaches that believers must not profit from a brother’s hardship. The command embodies reverence for God, remembrance of redemption, and practical love. Scripture unfolds this ethic through Israel’s Jubilee, Christ’s self-giving, and the church’s mutual care, calling Christians in every age to economic practices that protect and uplift the vulnerable. |
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