Topical Bible: Money: Jews Forbidden to Take Usury For

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the concept of usury refers to the practice of charging excessive interest on loans. The Mosaic Law explicitly forbids the Israelites from taking usury from their fellow countrymen, emphasizing the importance of compassion, community, and justice within the covenant community. This prohibition is rooted in the broader ethical and theological framework of the Old Testament, which seeks to promote social equity and prevent the exploitation of the vulnerable.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 22:25 : "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 verse underscores the principle of mercy and support for the impoverished within the Israelite community. The prohibition against charging interest is a safeguard against further impoverishing those already in need.

2. Leviticus 25:35-37 : "If your brother becomes impoverished and cannot support himself among you, help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. You must not lend him your money at interest or sell him your food at a profit." This passage highlights the responsibility of the Israelites to support their fellow countrymen in times of need, reflecting the covenantal relationship and the call to fear God by acting justly and compassionately.

3. Deuteronomy 23:19-20 : "Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan. You may charge a foreigner interest, but you must not charge your brother interest, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land you are entering to possess." Here, the distinction between Israelites and foreigners is made clear, with the prohibition of usury applying specifically to fellow Israelites. The promise of divine blessing is linked to obedience to this command, reinforcing the idea that economic practices should reflect the values of the covenant community.

Theological and Ethical Implications:

The prohibition against usury among the Israelites is deeply connected to the broader biblical themes of justice, mercy, and community. It reflects God's concern for the well-being of all members of the covenant community, particularly the poor and vulnerable. By forbidding usury, the Law seeks to prevent the exploitation of those in financial distress and to promote a society where mutual aid and support are prioritized over personal gain.

This commandment also serves as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God and their responsibility to reflect His character in their dealings with one another. The call to "fear your God" in Leviticus 25:36 emphasizes that economic transactions are not merely secular activities but are deeply spiritual, with implications for one's relationship with God and neighbor.

In summary, the biblical injunction against taking usury from fellow Israelites is a testament to the ethical and theological priorities of the Old Testament, which seek to foster a just and compassionate society under God's covenant.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 25:37
You shall not give him your money on usury, nor lend him your victuals for increase.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether it is a Sin to Take Usury for Money Lent?
... Reply to Objection 2: The Jews were forbidden to take usury from their brethren,
ie from other Jews. ... Ps.14:5: "He that hath not put out his money to usury ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is a sin.htm

Commerce
... no sketch of commerce among the early Jews, however brief ... to charge a fixed discount
for light money, or to ... of the public, agriculturists were forbidden to sell ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

The Prophet Nehemiah
... God had forbidden them to intermarry with the heathen nations ... The Jews always got
into trouble when they married ... getting such a large amount of money for usury ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/iv the prophet nehemiah.htm

The Canons of the Holy and Altogether August Apostles.
... or deacon, shall obtain possession of that dignity by money, let both ... For the law
has forbidden this ... or layman shall enter into a synagogue of Jews or heretics ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the canons of the holy 4.htm

Matt. xvi. 28
... these things they trembled more than the Jews of old ... not that even in the old law
this is forbidden? ... For never doth the money-lender enjoy his possessions, nor ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lvi matt xvi 28.htm

The Ecclesiastical Canons of the Same Holy Apostles.
... If any bishop obtains that dignity by money, or even a ... him be deprived; for this
the law itself has forbidden. ... enters into a synagogue of the Jews or heretics ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/the ecclesiastical canons of the.htm

"Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. "
... holds the reins, and just what should be forbidden is taught ... and wide; whereby not
only is all money and wealth ... See, these are the three Jews, as men say, who ...
/.../luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt honor thy father.htm

Book ii.
... among mankind; for no other people but the Jews have avoided ... He that lends money
must not demand usury for its ... of strange gods, it having been forbidden so to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book ii.htm

The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ...
The Antiquities of the Jews. ... I should depart out of this life; and since God has
forbidden me to be ... the woman miscarry, [28] let him pay a fine in money, as the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the polity settled.htm

Summa Theologica
... ON THE WORK OF THE THIRD DAY (TWO ARTICLES). Whether it was fitting that the gathering
together of the waters should take place, as recorded, on the third day? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/