Definition and Context
Usurers, in biblical terms, are individuals who lend money at interest, often at exorbitant rates. The practice of usury is frequently addressed in the Bible, where it is generally viewed with disfavor, particularly when it exploits the poor and needy. The term "usury" in biblical times referred to any interest charged on loans, not just excessive interest as it is often understood today.

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 fairness in financial dealings, particularly towards those in vulnerable positions.

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

Deuteronomy 23:19-20 distinguishes between lending practices among Israelites and foreigners: "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."

Wisdom Literature
The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also addresses the issue of usury. Proverbs 28:8 warns, "He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor." This verse suggests that wealth gained through unjust means will ultimately benefit those who are righteous and compassionate.

Prophetic Warnings
The prophets also spoke against the practice of usury. Ezekiel 18:13 lists charging interest among the sins that lead to death: "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 upon him."

New Testament Perspective
While the New Testament does not explicitly address usury as frequently as the Old Testament, the principles of love, generosity, and care for the poor are emphasized. Jesus' teachings encourage believers to lend without expecting anything in return, as seen in Luke 6:34-35 : "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."

Historical and Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, the prohibition against usury was rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The Israelites were called to reflect God's justice and mercy in their social and economic interactions. The laws against usury were designed to prevent the exploitation of the poor and to promote a community where mutual support and care were paramount.

Theological Implications
The biblical stance on usury reflects broader theological themes of justice, mercy, and the proper use of wealth. The Bible consistently calls believers to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Charging interest, particularly to those in need, is seen as contrary to these values, as it prioritizes personal gain over communal well-being and compassion.

Conclusion
The biblical teachings on usury challenge believers to consider their financial practices in light of God's call to justice and mercy. While the economic systems of today differ from those of ancient Israel, the underlying principles of fairness, generosity, and care for the vulnerable remain relevant for Christians seeking to live out their faith in all areas of life.

Excursus on Usury.
... lib. v.), and adds, "with what severe laws the French Kings coerced usurers is evident
from the edicts of St. Louis, Philip IV., Charles IX., Henry III., etc." ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on usury.htm

The Bishop at Work
... meant that he was going to squeeze them, but which his people interpreted into a
permission to wreak their hatred, malice, and revenge upon the favoured usurers ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter v the bishop at.htm

Back to Memphis
... number. His fellows were unjust public weighers, usurers, rioters, habitual
tax-evaders, broken debtors, forgers and housebreakers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxiii back to memphis.htm

Epistle viii. To Cyprian, Deacon.
... "Per angarias intelliguntur vexationes et injuri?? qu??libet." Du Cange. It may be
used here for exorbitant interest on loans obtained from usurers. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle viii to cyprian deacon.htm

Righteousness
... Who lends, not to be paid,". And gives full aid. Without that bribe which usurers
impose. Who never looks on [117] Man. Fearful and wan,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cx righteousness.htm

Also Another Aurelius of Chullabi Said: "The Apostle John Has Laid ...
... eat; [1880] and yet Cyprian used to admit to fellowship, not with his private table,
but with the altar of God, his colleagues who were usurers, and treacherous ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 45 88 also.htm

"As My Father Hath Sent Me," Says Our Lord...
... For the Lord would not say to robbers and usurers, "Whose soever sins ye remit,
they shall be remitted to him; and whose soever sins ye retain, they shall be ...
/.../chapter 1823 as my father.htm

Wherefore, Since it is Manifest that the Baptism Remains in the ...
... Esau lost his birthright from his lust after a mess of pottage, [1511] we are yet
to hold that it is retained by defrauders, robbers, usurers, envious persons ...
/.../chapter 16 wherefore since it.htm

Whether Treachery, Fraud, Falsehood, Perjury, Restlessness ...
... tight-fisted, skinflints [*{kyminopristes}], misers [*{kimbikes}], who do illiberal
deeds," and of those who "batten on whoredom, usurers, gamblers, despoilers ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether treachery fraud falsehood perjury.htm

Whether the Priest Ought to Deny the Body of Christ to the Sinner ...
... I answer that, A distinction must be made among sinners: some are secret; others
are notorious, either from evidence of the fact, as public usurers, or public ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the priest ought to.htm

Usurers (1 Occurrence)
...Usurers (1 Occurrence). Habakkuk 2:7 Do not thy usurers instantly rise up, And those
shaking thee awake up, And thou hast been for a spoil to them? (YLT). ...
/u/usurers.htm - 6k

Usurer (2 Occurrences)

/u/usurer.htm - 7k

Usurious (1 Occurrence)

/u/usurious.htm - 6k

Witness (295 Occurrences)
... Among those not qualified to be witnesses were the near relations of the accuser
or the accused, friends and enemies, gamesters, usurers, tax-gatherers, heathen ...
/w/witness.htm - 44k

Rapacious (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Avaricious; grasping; extortionate; also, greedy; ravenous; voracious; as,
rapacious usurers; a rapacious appetite. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/r/rapacious.htm - 7k

Awaken (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS NAS RSV NIV). Habakkuk 2:7 Do not thy usurers instantly rise up, And those
shaking thee awake up, And thou hast been for a spoil to them? (See NAS). ...
/a/awaken.htm - 9k

Instantly (39 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 2:7 Do not thy usurers instantly rise up, And those shaking thee
awake up, And thou hast been for a spoil to them? (YLT). ...
/i/instantly.htm - 18k

Taxing (3 Occurrences)
... tribute was so heavy that the Jewish common people were compelled to borrow money
upon mortgages, and in so doing fell into the hands of usurers of their own ...
/t/taxing.htm - 35k

Tax (43 Occurrences)
... tribute was so heavy that the Jewish common people were compelled to borrow money
upon mortgages, and in so doing fell into the hands of usurers of their own ...
/t/tax.htm - 47k

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