In the context of biblical teachings, usury refers to the practice of charging excessive interest on loans. The Bible addresses the issue of usury and interest in various passages, often highlighting the moral and ethical considerations associated with lending practices. The Israelites were given specific instructions regarding lending and borrowing, particularly among themselves, to ensure fairness and compassion within the community.

Biblical Instructions on Usury

The Mosaic Law provided clear guidelines on lending practices among the Israelites. In Exodus 22:25 , it is written: "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 command underscores the importance of compassion and support for the less fortunate, prohibiting the exploitation of those in need through excessive interest.

Similarly, Leviticus 25:35-37 instructs: "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." These verses emphasize the need for community support and the avoidance of financial gain at the expense of a fellow Israelite's hardship.

Historical Context and Practice

Despite these clear instructions, historical accounts and biblical narratives suggest that the Israelites, at times, were guilty of engaging in usurious practices. Nehemiah 5:1-13 provides an account of such practices during the time of Nehemiah. The passage describes a situation where the Jewish nobles and officials were charging their fellow Jews interest, leading to widespread poverty and distress. Nehemiah confronted them, saying, "What you are doing is not right. Should you not walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies?" (Nehemiah 5:9). This rebuke led to a commitment to cease the practice and restore what had been taken.

The prophets also spoke against the practice of usury. Ezekiel 18:13 condemns those who "lends at interest or takes a profit," declaring such actions as abominable and unjust. The prophet's words reflect the broader biblical theme of justice and righteousness, urging the people to adhere to God's commandments and treat one another with fairness and integrity.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, while the specific term "usury" is not frequently addressed, the principles of love, generosity, and selflessness in financial dealings are emphasized. Jesus' teachings in the Gospels encourage believers to lend without expecting anything in return, as seen in Luke 6:34-35 : "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."

Conclusion

The biblical stance on usury and interest, particularly among the Jewish people, reflects a broader ethical framework that prioritizes compassion, justice, and community welfare. While historical instances of usurious practices are noted, the overarching biblical narrative calls for a spirit of generosity and fairness in financial dealings, aligning with the character and commandments of God.Nehemiah 5:6,7
And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 22:12
In you have they taken gifts to shed blood; you have taken usury and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten me, said the Lord GOD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

A Rebuke against Extortion
... them money, but had exacted a high rate of interest. ... and others had ransomed certain
of the Jews who had ... them; and to lend to them without security or usury. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

Letter Xciii. (AD 408. )
... Are you not afraid lest the Jews should say to you, "If ... by artful dishonesty obtained
their possessions, or by usury, at exorbitant interest, increased them ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xciii a d 408.htm

Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ...
... Hence it is for their interest also that their iniquity ... bitterly against the hypocrisy
of the Jews, in thinking ... or in feasting; let none engage in usury or in ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 of the discipline.htm

Concerning Persecution
... Augustine calls this the best and greatest usury. ... mocked him, saying, Hail, King
of the Jews' (Matthew 27 ... that we would be true to Christ's interest and fight ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/21 concerning persecution.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... In the interest of his own power, as well as ... for the girl's mother, whom she believed
guilty of instigating ... restored to order, and, as was often customary in ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... All these are inquiries of the deepest interest"the most ... Paul tells us 'he was in
watchings often' (2 Corinthians ... Esther begged the life of the Jews, and the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... This man knows well how often I have done the same ... are conscious; yet we neither
blush like the Jews nor are ... kind which he now reproves in the interest of the ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... felonious actions; to all which he heartily confessed guilty, and so ... if his father
on such days, as often he did ... it was given in particular to the Jews, but as ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

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

What does the Bible say about lending money? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian mortgage a home? | GotQuestions.org

Usury: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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