Definition and Context
Debt, in biblical terms, refers to the obligation to repay something borrowed, typically money, goods, or services. The concept of debt is both literal and metaphorical in the Bible, encompassing financial obligations as well as spiritual and moral responsibilities.

Old Testament References
The Old Testament provides various laws and guidelines regarding debt, emphasizing fairness, compassion, and the protection of the poor. In Exodus 22:25, the Israelites are instructed, "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest." This reflects a concern for the welfare of the impoverished and a prohibition against exploiting those in need.

The Year of Jubilee, described in Leviticus 25, is a significant concept related to debt. Every fiftieth year, debts were to be forgiven, and land returned to its original owners, symbolizing a reset of economic disparities and a reminder of God's provision and ownership of the land.

Deuteronomy 15:1-2 further elaborates on debt forgiveness: "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed."

New Testament Teachings
In the New Testament, debt takes on a broader spiritual meaning. Jesus' teachings often use debt as a metaphor for sin and forgiveness. In the Lord's Prayer, found in Matthew 6:12, Jesus instructs His followers to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Here, debt symbolizes moral and spiritual failings, and forgiveness is presented as a divine and human responsibility.

The parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:23-35 illustrates the importance of forgiveness. A servant, forgiven a massive debt by his master, refuses to forgive a fellow servant a much smaller debt. This parable underscores the expectation that those who receive mercy should extend it to others.

Romans 13:8 advises believers, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." This passage highlights love as the ultimate obligation, surpassing all other debts.

Moral and Ethical Implications
The Bible's teachings on debt emphasize ethical lending practices, compassion for the poor, and the importance of forgiveness. Believers are encouraged to avoid excessive debt and to act justly and mercifully in financial dealings. The spiritual dimension of debt, as a metaphor for sin, calls for a life of repentance and forgiveness, reflecting God's grace and mercy.

Practical Considerations
While the Bible does not prohibit borrowing, it warns against the dangers of excessive debt and the potential for it to lead to bondage. Proverbs 22:7 states, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." This serves as a cautionary note about the power dynamics inherent in debt relationships.

In summary, the biblical perspective on debt encompasses both practical financial advice and profound spiritual truths, urging believers to live responsibly, extend forgiveness, and prioritize love above all obligations.Romans 13:8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 37:21
The wicked borrows, and pays not again: but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.
Topicalbible.org

Luke 14:28
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Topicalbible.org

Exodus 22:25-27
If you lend money to any of my people that is poor by you, you shall not be to him as an usurer, neither shall you lay on him usury.
Topicalbible.org

Nehemiah 5:3
Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 22:26
Be not you one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
Topicalbible.org

The Mosaic law encouraged the practice of lending (Deuteronomy 15:7; Psalm 37:26; Matthew 5:42); but it forbade the exaction of interest except from foreigners. Usury was strongly condemned (Proverbs 28:8; Ezek. 18:8, 13, 17; 22:12; Psalm 15:5). On the Sabbatical year all pecuniary obligations were cancelled (Deuteronomy 15:1-11). These regulations prevented the accumulation of debt. 1. (n.) That which is due from one person to another, whether money, goods, or services; that which one person is bound to pay to another, or to perform for his benefit; thing owed; obligation; liability.

2. (n.) A duty neglected or violated; a fault; a sin; a trespass.

3. (n.) An action at law to recover a certain specified sum of money alleged to be due.

DEBT; DEBTOR

det, det'-er: It is difficult nowadays to think of debt without associating with it the idea of interest, and even usury. Certain it is that this idea is associated with the Old Testament idea of the word, at least in the later period of Old Testament history. This is true of the New Testament entire. The Hebrew word (neshi) always carries with it the idea of "biting interest" (compare 2 Kings 4:7). The Greek words daneion (Matthew 18:27), and opheile (Matthew 18:32), may point only to the fact of indebtedness; the idea of interest, however, is clearly taught in the New Testament (compare Matthew 25:27).

Quite extensive legislation is provided in the Old Testament governing the matter of debt and debtors. Indebtedness and loaning had not, however, the commercial aspect among the Jews so characteristic of the nations surrounding Palestine. Indeed the Mosaic legislation was seemingly intended to guard against just such commercialism. It was looked upon as a misfortune to be in debt; it indicated poverty brought on probably by blighted harvests; consequently those in debt were to be looked upon with pity and dealt with in leniency. There must be no oppression of the poor under such circumstances (Exodus 22:25 Deuteronomy 23:19, 20 Ezekiel 18:18). Even where a pledge is given and received, certain restrictions are thrown around it, e.g. the creditor must not take a mill, nor a necessary garment, nor a widow's ox, etc., in pledge (Exodus 22:25-27 Deuteronomy 24:6, 10-13 Job 22:6 Amos 2:8). And further, the pledge is to be restored in some instances "before the sun goeth down" (Exodus 22:26, 27), and in all cases full redemption in the seventh and jubilee years (Nehemiah 10:31, etc.). The Jews were strictly exhorted to take no interest at all from their own nation (Exodus 22:25 Deuteronomy 23:19, 20). Strangers, however, might be charged interest (ibid.). A devout Jew would not lend money to another Jew on interest.

It would seem that as Israel came into contact with the surrounding nations, debt became increasingly a commercial matter. The Mosaic laws regarding clemency toward the poor who were compelled for the time being to become debtors were utterly disregarded, and the poor were oppressed by the rich. An illustration of the severity with which debtors came to be dealt with is to be found in 2 Kings 4:1-7, in which, because of the inability of a widow to pay a small debt contracted by her dead husband, the woman complains to the prophet that the creditors have come to sell her two children in order that the debt might be paid. Strangely the prophet, while helping the widow by miraculously multiplying the oil in order that the debt might be paid, says nothing by way of condemnation of such conduct on the part of the creditors. Are we to understand by this that commercialism had already so powerful a grip upon Israel that even to a prophet the practice had come to seem proper, or at least expected? The debtor himself or his family might be sold for debt, or the debtor might become a slave for a certain length of time until the debt was paid (Leviticus 25:39, 47 Isaiah 50:1). So oppressive had the commercial system in Israel become that the debtor cursed the creditor and the creditor the debtor (Jeremiah 15:10). Sometimes debtors were outlawed, as in the case of the men who came to David in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:2). That the matter of borrowing and lending had assumed very grievous proportions is evident from the very sharp warnings concerning the matter in the Book of Proverbs (Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 20:16, etc.).

The teaching of the New Testament on this subject is confined very largely to the parables of our Lord. Some think that the expression, "Owe no man anything" (Romans 13:8), is an absolute warning against indebtedness. Quite a noticeable advance in the matter of debts and debtors is noticed as we enter the time of the New Testament. We read of bankers, exchangers, moneychangers, interest, investments, usury (Matthew 25:16-27 John 2:13-17). The taking of interest does not seem to be explicitly condemned in the New Testament. The person of the debtor, as well as his family and lands, could be seized for non-payment of debt (Matthew 18:21-26). Indeed, the debtor was often cast into prison and tormented because of non-payment (Matthew 18:30, 34). That compassion and leniency should be exercised toward those in debt is the clear teaching of Christ in the parables of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:23-35) and the Two Debtors (Luke 7:41-43).

Figurative: Debt and debtor are used in a moral sense also as indicating the obligation of a righteous life which we owe to God. To fall short in righteous living is to become a debtor. For this reason we pray, "Forgive us our debts" (Matthew 6:12). Those who are ministered to in spiritual things are said to be debtors to those who minister to them (Romans 15:27). To make a vow to God is to put one's self in debt in a moral sense (Matthew 23:16-18; the Revised Version, margin "bound by his oath"). In a deeply spiritual sense the apostle Paul professed to be in debt to all men in that he owed them the opportunity to do them good (Romans 1:14).

The parables of Jesus as above named are rich with comforting truth. How beautiful is the willingness of God, the great and Divine Creditor, to release us from our indebtedness! Just so ought we to be imitators of the Father in heaven who is merciful.

William Evans

3782. opheile -- a debt
... a debt. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: opheile Phonetic Spelling:
(of-i-lay') Short Definition: a debt, duty Definition: a debt, a duty, what ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3782.htm - 6k

3783. opheilema -- that which is owed, a debt
... that which is owed, a debt. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: opheilema
Phonetic Spelling: (of-i'-lay-mah) Short Definition: a debt, offense, sin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3783.htm - 6k

1458. egkaleo -- to call in (as a debt or demand), ie bring to ...
... to call in (as a debt or demand), ie bring to account. Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: egkaleo Phonetic Spelling: (eng-kal-eh'-o) Short Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1458.htm - 7k

1156. daneion -- a loan
... a loan. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: daneion Phonetic Spelling:
(dan'-i-on) Short Definition: a loan, debt Definition: a loan, debt. ... debt. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1156.htm - 6k

3784. opheilo -- to owe
... Definition: I owe, ought. 3784 (a primitive verb, dictionary) -- to owe, be ,
ie obliged to rectify a debt ("ought"). 3784 ("owe") refers ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3784.htm - 8k

5533. chreopheiletes -- a debtor
... debtor. Word Origin probably a comp. of chreos (debt) and opheiletes Definition
a debtor NASB Word Usage debtors (2). debtor. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5533.htm - 6k

1843. exomologeo -- to agree, confess
... admit, acknowledge (cf. the early Hellenistic sense of the middle: I
acknowledge a debt), (c) I give thanks, praise. 1843 (from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1843.htm - 8k

3085. lutrosis -- a ransoming, a redemption
... Spelling: (loo'-tro-sis) Short Definition: liberation, deliverance, release Definition:
(in the Old Testament: ransoming from imprisonment for debt, or from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3085.htm - 7k

859. aphesis -- dismissal, release, fig. pardon
... Cognate: 859 (from 863 , "send away, forgive" ) -- properly, "something "; ie remission
("forgiveness"), releasing someone from obligation or debt. See 863 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/859.htm - 7k

5498. cheirographon -- a (handwritten) document, legal note, bond
... Word Origin from cheir and grapho Definition a (handwritten) document, legal note,
bond NASB Word Usage certificate of debt (1). manuscript, record of debts. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5498.htm - 6k

5386. neshi -- a debt
... a debt. Transliteration: neshi Phonetic Spelling: (nesh-ee') Short Definition: debt.
Word Origin from nashah Definition a debt NASB Word Usage debt (1). debt. ...
/hebrew/5386.htm - 6k

2326. chob -- debt
... chob. 2327 . debt. Transliteration: chob Phonetic Spelling: (khobe) Short Definition:
debtor. Word Origin from chub Definition debt NASB Word Usage debtor (1) ...
/hebrew/2326.htm - 5k

5378. nasha -- to beguile, deceive
... deceived (3), deluded (1), utterly deceived (1). debt, exact, giver of usury.
A primitive root (perhaps identical with nasha', through ...
/hebrew/5378.htm - 6k

4859. mashshaah -- a loan
... of mashsha Definition a loan NASB Word Usage debts (1), loan (1). loan, debt. Feminine
of mashsha'; a loan -- X any(- thing), debt. see HEBREW mashsha'. ...
/hebrew/4859.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... 1), coast (1), command (3), compulsion* (3), consecrate* (3), consecrated* (4),
control (1), courage* (1), creditor* (1), custody (4), debt (1), defiantly* (1 ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

8059. shemittah -- a letting drop, a (temporary) remitting
... release. From shamat; remission (of debt) or suspension of labor) -- release. see
HEBREW shamat. 8058, 8059. shemittah. 8060 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8059.htm - 6k

4855. mashsha -- lending on interest, usury
... exaction, usury. From nashah; a loan; by implication, interest on a debt -- exaction,
usury. see HEBREW nashah. 4854, 4855. mashsha. 4856 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/4855.htm - 6k

2254a. chabal -- to bind, pledge
... root Definition to bind, pledge NASB Word Usage debt (1), ever take (1), hold him
in pledge (2), labor (2), pledge (4), retain (1), take (3), take a pledge (1 ...
/hebrew/2254a.htm - 5k

2258. chabol -- a pledge
... pledge. Or (feminine) chabolah {khab-o-law'}; from chabal; a pawn (as security for
debt) -- pledge. see HEBREW chabal. 2257, 2258. chabol. 2259 . ...
/hebrew/2258.htm - 6k

4874. mashsheh -- a loan
... Word Origin from nashah Definition a loan NASB Word Usage creditor* (1). creditor.
From nashah; a debt -- + creditor. see HEBREW nashah. 4873, 4874. ...
/hebrew/4874.htm - 6k

Whether the Debt of Punishment is an Effect of Sin?
... OF THE DEBT OF PUNISHMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the debt of punishment
is an effect of sin? Objection 1: It would seem that the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the debt of punishment.htm

Whether it is Forbidden to Demand the Debt on Holy Days?
... OF THE THINGS ANNEXED TO MARRIAGE, AND FIRST OF THE PAYMENT OF THE MARRIAGE DEBT
(TEN ARTICLES) Whether it is forbidden to demand the debt on holy days? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is forbidden to.htm

Of the Debt of Punishment (Eight Articles)
... OF THE DEBT OF PUNISHMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES). We must now consider the debt of
punishment. ... (1) Whether the debt of punishment is an effect of sin? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the debt of punishment.htm

Whether the Debt of Punishment Remains after the Guilt Has Been ...
... OF THE EFFECT OF PENANCE, AS REGARDS THE PARDON OF MORTAL SIN (SIX ARTICLES) Whether
the debt of punishment remains after the guilt has been forgiven through ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the debt of punishment 3.htm

Whether the Debt of Punishment that Arises through Ingratitude in ...
... OF THE RETURN OF SINS WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY BY PENANCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
the debt of punishment that arises through ingratitude in respect of a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the debt of punishment 4.htm

The Debt of Israel
... CHAPTER X THE DEBT OF ISRAEL. ... Seti paid the debt to him by sparing his small lands
and his little treasure and himself when he put Israel to toil. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter x the debt of.htm

Whether the Debt of Punishment Remains after Sin?
... OF THE DEBT OF PUNISHMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the debt of punishment remains
after sin? ... But sin is the cause of the debt of punishment. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the debt of punishment 2.htm

Wesley's Debt of 1236
... Chapter 10. Retirement in Paddington; Wesley Slandered; Premonitions; A Dream
Wesley's Debt of 1236. Wednesday, 25."We rode on to Bristol. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesleys debt of f 1236.htm

Whether any Sin Incurs a Debt of Eternal Punishment?
... OF THE DEBT OF PUNISHMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether any sin incurs a debt of eternal
punishment? ... Therefore it does not incur a debt of eternal punishment. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether any sin incurs a.htm

The Debt of Iren??us to Justin Martyr
... ST IREN??US. THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING. INTRODUCTION II
THE DEBT OF IREN??US TO JUSTIN MARTYR. If we are to proceed ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/ii the debt of irenaeus.htm

Debt (48 Occurrences)
... 11). These regulations prevented the accumulation of debt. Noah Webster's
Dictionary. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DEBT; DEBTOR. det ...
/d/debt.htm - 28k

Debtor (7 Occurrences)
... (3.) A debt could not be exacted during the Sabbatic year (Deuteronomy 15:1-15). ...
(n.) One who owes a debt; one who is indebted; -- correlative to creditor. ...
/d/debtor.htm - 16k

Discharge (30 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To of something weighing upon or impeding over one, as a debt, claim,
obligation, responsibility, accusation, etc.; to absolve; to acquit; to clear. ...
/d/discharge.htm - 18k

Amount (66 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:5 And sending for every one who was in debt to his lord he said to
the first, What is the amount of your debt to my lord? (BBE). ...
/a/amount.htm - 27k

Release (61 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Relief from care, pain, or any burden. 8. (n.) Discharge from obligation
or responsibility, as from debt, penalty, or claim of any kind; acquittance. ...
/r/release.htm - 26k

Debts (10 Occurrences)
... him? (BBE NIV). Deuteronomy 15:1 At the end of every seven years there is to
be a general forgiveness of debt. (See NAS NIV). Deuteronomy ...
/d/debts.htm - 9k

Debit (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A debt; an entry on the debtor (Dr.) side of an
account; -- mostly used adjectively; as, the debit side of an account. ...
/d/debit.htm - 7k

Due (93 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Owed, as a debt; that ought to be paid
or done to or for another; payable; owing and demandable. ...
/d/due.htm - 35k

Mortgage
... 1. (n.) A conveyance of property, upon condition, as security for the payment of
a debt or the performance of a duty, and to become void upon payment or ...
/m/mortgage.htm - 7k

Bilhan (3 Occurrences)
... (2) A question much discussed is, Was "the bond" (the Revised Version (British and
American)) merely an acknowledgment of debt, or was it an obligation to pay ...
/b/bilhan.htm - 10k

Is it right for a church to go into debt? | GotQuestions.org

I am a Christian in debt. What should I do? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about going into debt? | GotQuestions.org

Debt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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