A usurer, in biblical terms, refers to an individual who lends money at interest, particularly at an exorbitant or unethical rate. The practice of usury is addressed multiple times in the Bible, often with a negative connotation, as it is seen as exploiting the poor and needy. The concept of usury is significant in understanding biblical teachings on justice, compassion, and economic ethics.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains several prohibitions against usury, especially 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 within the community, emphasizing that financial assistance should not become a burden to those in need.

Leviticus 25:35-37 further elaborates on this principle: "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." Here, the focus is on maintaining the dignity and well-being of fellow Israelites, reflecting God's desire for a just and caring society.

Deuteronomy 23:19-20 provides additional guidance: "Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, 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." This passage distinguishes between lending practices within the covenant community and those involving outsiders, highlighting the special bond and responsibility among God's people.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, while the term "usurer" is not explicitly mentioned, the principles of generosity and selflessness in financial dealings are reinforced. Jesus' teachings often emphasize the importance of helping the poor and avoiding the love of money. In Luke 6:34-35 , Jesus instructs: "And 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; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

This teaching encourages believers to adopt a spirit of generosity and to prioritize relationships over financial gain. The early Christian community, as described in Acts 4:32-35, exemplified this ideal by sharing possessions and ensuring that no one among them was in need.

Historical and Theological Context

Historically, the Church has grappled with the issue of usury, particularly as economic systems evolved. Early Church Fathers, such as Augustine and Aquinas, condemned usury, aligning with biblical teachings that prioritize the welfare of the community over personal profit. Theological discussions have often centered on the balance between fair economic practices and the exploitation of the vulnerable.

In summary, the biblical perspective on usury is rooted in a broader ethical framework that values justice, mercy, and community support. The consistent message across both Testaments is one of caution against exploiting others for financial gain and a call to embody God's love through acts of generosity and kindness.1. (n.) One who lends money and takes interest for it; a money lender.

2. (n.) One who lends money at a rate of interest beyond that established by law; one who exacts an exorbitant rate of interest for the use of money.

5383. nashah -- to lend, become a creditor
... make (1), make the loan (1). creditor, exact, extortioner, lend, usurer,
lend on taker on usury. A primitive root (rather identical ...
/hebrew/5383.htm - 6k

Whether it is Lawful to Borrow Money under a Condition of Usury?
... sins, "but they also that consent to them that do them." Now he that borrows money
under a condition of usury consents in the sin of the usurer, and gives him ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 17.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 21,"Go, Sell that Thou Hast ...
... Give the rein now to thy avarice, imagine thyself an usurer. If thou ... other's
tears. But now be an usurer, no one will hinder thee. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxvi on the words.htm

The Eighth Commandment
... That no man go beyond, and defraud his brother.' 1 Thess 4: 6. (6) The usurer,
who takes by extortion from others. ... The usurer is a robber. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 8 the eighth commandment.htm

On the Third Part of the Psalm.
... Again, on the other hand, I myself, nay rather our God Himself bids thee be an usurer,
and says to thee, "Lend unto God." If thou lendest to man, hast thou hope ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/on the third part of.htm

Six Years in North Bengal --Missionary and Indigo Planter
... Destitute in Calcutta"Bandel and Nuddea"Applies in vain to be under-superintendent
of the Botanic Garden"Housed by a native usurer"Translation and ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iv six years in.htm

What Carey did for Science --Founder of the Agricultural and ...
... rack-rented or plundered by powerful middlemen, both squeezed or literally tortured
by the Government of the day, and driven to depend on the usurer for even ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xii what carey did.htm

Brief Outline of Ancient Jewish Theological Literature
... of the Sanhedrim must be wise, modest, God-fearing, truthful, not greedy of filthy
lucre, given to hospitality, kindly, not a gambler, nor a usurer, nor one ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 18 brief outline of.htm

Of Martyrs, and their Intercession on Behalf of Scandalous ...
... inhabitant of the world [987] supplicating? pence in hand? subject to physician
and usurer? Suppose, now, (your "martyr") beneath the ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xxii of martyrs and their.htm

The Unrighteous Mammon
... I think, that if I had been an usurer or a grinder of the poor all my life, I should
not save my soul by founding almshouses with my money when I died, or even ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxiv the unrighteous mammon.htm

A Rebuke against Extortion
... God had also instructed through Moses: "If thou lend money to any of My people that
is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer." "Thou shalt no ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

Usurer (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Usurer (2 Occurrences). ... Psalms 109:11 Let the usurer cast
the net over all that he hath, and let strangers despoil his labour; (DBY). ...
/u/usurer.htm - 7k

Usually (6 Occurrences)

/u/usually.htm - 8k

Usurers (1 Occurrence)

/u/usurers.htm - 6k

Usury (17 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Exodus 22:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee,
thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. ...
/u/usury.htm - 15k

Thick (129 Occurrences)
... (Habakkuk 2:6) is correctly rendered in the Revised Version "pledges." The Chaldean
power is here represented as a rapacious usurer, accumulating the wealth ...
/t/thick.htm - 38k

Despoil (13 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Psalms 109:11 Let the usurer cast the net over all that he hath,
and let strangers despoil his labour; (DBY). Proverbs ...
/d/despoil.htm - 10k

Clay (50 Occurrences)
... (Habakkuk 2:6) is correctly rendered in the Revised Version "pledges." The Chaldean
power is here represented as a rapacious usurer, accumulating the wealth ...
/c/clay.htm - 25k

Net (91 Occurrences)
... them. (BBE). Psalms 109:11 Let the usurer cast the net over all that he
hath, and let strangers despoil his labour; (DBY). Psalms ...
/n/net.htm - 36k

What is usury in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Usurer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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