Topical Bible: Usury or Interest: The Jews: Required to Restore

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Topical Encyclopedia

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 several passages, particularly concerning the Israelites' conduct towards one another. The Mosaic Law provided specific guidelines on lending and borrowing, emphasizing fairness and compassion within the community.

Biblical Instructions on Usury

The Law of Moses explicitly prohibited the Israelites from charging interest on loans to their fellow countrymen. This directive was rooted in the principle of brotherhood and the desire to prevent exploitation among the people of God. In Exodus 22:25 , the command is clear: "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."

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 brother can continue to live among you. You must not lend him your money at interest or sell him your food at a profit."

These passages underscore the importance of compassion and support within the community, ensuring that the poor and needy are not further burdened by financial hardship.

Restoration and Repentance

The requirement to restore what was unjustly taken through usury is highlighted in the prophetic writings. Ezekiel 18:7-8 describes a righteous man as one who "does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. He does not lend at interest or take a profit; he withholds his hand from injustice and judges fairly between two men."

Furthermore, Ezekiel 18:13 warns against the consequences of engaging in usury: "He lends at interest and takes a profit. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these abominations, he will surely die; his blood will be on his own head."

The call to restore and repent is also evident in the account of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who, upon encountering Jesus, pledged to restore fourfold what he had taken unjustly (Luke 19:8). This act of restitution reflects the biblical principle of making amends for wrongs committed, particularly in financial dealings.

Historical Context and Application

In ancient Israel, the prohibition against charging interest was intended to foster a sense of community and mutual aid. The Israelites were reminded that they were once slaves in Egypt and were called to treat each other with kindness and equity. The practice of usury was seen as contrary to the spirit of the Law, which emphasized justice, mercy, and humility before God.

While the prohibition against usury was specific to loans among Israelites, the broader principle of fair and ethical financial practices remains relevant. The biblical teachings on usury encourage believers to consider the impact of their financial dealings on others and to prioritize compassion and justice in all aspects of life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 5:9-13
Also I said, It is not good that you do: ought you not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Historical Books.
... putting an end to the practice of usury, and of ... made after Nehemiah's death as a
matter of public interest. ... severe decree, or to deny that the Jews may have ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.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

Book ii.
... feel that it, like money borrowed at interest, grows more ... restores multiplied as
it were by usury the seeds ... The carnal Jews had the shadow, the likeness is ours ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book ii.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 to soothe his wounded pride, a ... during
the whole year, as well as the 120,000 medimni of wheat required for the ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... serpent or the ant, to clear the sterile tracts, to restore impoverished land ... to
the offerer without reserving any of them, for Ahura-mazda required nothing but ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... this time forward they took but a slight interest in the ... all oppressed them in turn,
and repaid with usury the ills ... or to the period when the Jews, without any ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... of which we ourselves are conscious; yet we neither blush like the Jews nor are ... nothing
advanced of the 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,
... keep holy the Sabbath day'; which, by Christ, is not abrogated, but changed, into
the first of the week, not as 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