If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poorThis phrase emphasizes the communal responsibility among the Israelites. Lending to the poor reflects God's concern for social justice and care for the needy. The Israelites were a covenant community, and this command underscores the importance of mutual support. The poor were often vulnerable, and God's law provided protection for them. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to care for one another (
Galatians 6:10).
you must not act as a creditor to him
In ancient times, creditors had significant power over debtors, often leading to exploitation. This command restricts the lender's power, ensuring that the relationship remains one of compassion rather than oppression. The term "creditor" implies a formal, business-like transaction, which is not the intended relationship among God's people. This reflects God's character, who is merciful and just, and calls His people to emulate these attributes.
you are not to charge him interest
Charging interest, or usury, was prohibited in lending to fellow Israelites, as it could lead to further impoverishment of the poor. This law aimed to prevent the rich from exploiting the poor, promoting economic equality and community solidarity. The prohibition of interest is also seen inLeviticus 25:35-37 andDeuteronomy 23:19-20, reinforcing its importance. This principle can be seen as a type of Christ's sacrificial love, where He gives freely without expecting repayment, embodying grace and mercy.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The IsraelitesThe primary audience of the laws given in Exodus, including this commandment about lending practices.
2.
The PoorSpecifically mentioned in this verse as the recipients of loans, highlighting God's concern for the vulnerable in society.
3.
MoneylendersThose who lend money at interest, a practice that God warns against in this context.
4.
Mount SinaiThe location where God delivered the laws to Moses, including this commandment.
5.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received and communicated God's laws to the people.
Teaching Points
God's Heart for the PoorGod’s command not to charge interest to the poor reflects His compassion and justice. Believers are called to mirror this concern in their own financial dealings.
Community ResponsibilityThe Israelites were to care for one another, especially the vulnerable. In the church today, we are called to support and uplift those in need within our community.
Ethical Financial PracticesThis verse challenges us to consider how we handle money and treat others in financial transactions. Are we acting in ways that honor God and reflect His values?
Generosity Over GreedThe prohibition against interest encourages a spirit of generosity rather than exploitation. Christians are encouraged to give freely and help those in need without seeking personal gain.
Trust in God's ProvisionBy not charging interest, the Israelites were to trust in God’s provision rather than relying on financial gain from others. This principle encourages believers to trust God in their financial decisions.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 22:25?
2.How does Exodus 22:25 guide us in lending money to others today?
3.What does "charge him interest" teach about compassion in financial dealings?
4.How can we apply Exodus 22:25 to modern financial practices and policies?
5.Which New Testament teachings align with Exodus 22:25 on lending and generosity?
6.How does Exodus 22:25 reflect God's concern for the vulnerable in society?
7.What does Exodus 22:25 teach about lending and interest in ancient Israelite society?
8.How does Exodus 22:25 reflect God's concern for the poor and vulnerable?
9.Why was charging interest prohibited in Exodus 22:25?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 22?
11.What does the Bible say about handling debt?
12.What does the Bible say about Christian debt?
13.Should we avoid owing anything to anyone?
14.How does “whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit” (Proverbs 28:8) align with modern banking systems that seem beneficial yet charge interest?What Does Exodus 22:25 Mean
If you lend money“ If you lend money …” (Exodus 22:25a)
• The verse opens by assuming that lending will happen. God is not prohibiting loans; He’s guiding the heart behind them.
• Throughout Scripture, lending to meet a need is treated as a gracious act—seeDeuteronomy 15:7–8 where the Lord commands Israel to “open your hand” to a needy brother, and Jesus’ words inMatthew 5:42, “Give to the one who asks you.”
• We are stewards, not owners.Psalm 24:1 reminds us “The earth is the LORD’s,” so lending is simply redistributing what already belongs to Him.
to one of My people among you“… to one of My people among you …” (22:25a)
• The phrase roots this command inside covenant community life. The Lord expects family-level compassion.
• Galatians 6:10 echoes the same priority: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.”
• Acts 2:44–45 andActs 4:34–35 show the early church taking this seriously, selling property so “there was no needy person among them.”
who is poor“… who is poor …” (22:25a)
• Poverty is not a moral failure but a situational reality God cares about deeply (Proverbs 14:31;James 2:5).
• Deuteronomy 15:11 acknowledges, “There will never cease to be poor people in the land,” yet the command is to keep hearts tender and hands open.
• Jesus reaffirmed this ongoing need inMark 14:7, “You will always have the poor with you,” underscoring continual responsibility.
you must not act as a creditor to him“… you must not act as a creditor to him …” (22:25b)
• The Lord forbids turning a benevolent loan into a business transaction packed with pressure.
• Deuteronomy 24:10–11 instructs lenders not to barge into a borrower’s house to seize collateral, protecting dignity.
• Nehemiah 5:7 records Nehemiah rebuking nobles for exacting interest and seizing fields, illustrating how “acting as a creditor” destroys community.
• Jesus’ parable inMatthew 18:28 portrays the hardness of a servant who grabbed his fellow servant by the throat over a debt—precisely the attitude condemned here.
you are not to charge him interest“… you are not to charge him interest.” (22:25b)
• Interest on a survival loan exploits weakness.Leviticus 25:35–37 repeats this ban, calling interest “usury.”
• Deuteronomy 23:19–20 makes a distinction: interest from foreigners could be permitted, but never from a brother in need.
• Psalm 15:5 describes the righteous person as one “who does not lend his money at interest,” highlighting this as a hallmark of integrity.
• Ezekiel 18:8, 13 lists interest-taking among sins that bring judgment, showing God’s ongoing concern.
• Jesus broadens the heart behind the command inLuke 6:34–35—“lend, expecting nothing in return… and your reward will be great.”
summaryExodus 22:25 calls God’s people to compassionate lending that protects the vulnerable. Loans inside the covenant family are meant to lift, not burden; therefore, no predatory stance, no squeezing for profit, and absolutely no interest is allowed. The verse reminds us that possessions are God-given tools for mercy, and withholding mercy misrepresents His generous heart.
(25-27) The Mosaic law of borrowing and lending was strange and peculiar. It was absolutely forbidden to exact any interest from those borrowers who were Israelites. The wording of the present passage, and of some others (
Leviticus 25:35;
Deuteronomy 15:7), construed strictly, prohibits interest only on loans to the poor; but, as in a primitive state of society only the poor wish to borrow, the qualifying expression lost its force, and to exact any interest of any Israelite was regarded as wrong. (See
Psalm 15:5;
Proverbs 28:8;
Nehemiah 5:7;
Nehemiah 5:11;
Ezekiel 18:13;
Ezekiel 22:12.) And some prohibitions, as
Deuteronomy 23:19, were expressed in the most general terms. On the other hand, the lending of money upon interest to foreigners was distinctly allowed (
Deuteronomy 23:20), and no limit placed upon the amount of interest that might be taken. . . .
Verses 25-27. -
The law of lending money and borrowing. It is peculiar to the Jewish law to forbid the lending of money at interest by citizen to citizen. In the present passage, and in some others (
Leviticus 25:35;
Deuteronomy 15:7), it might seem that interest was only forbidden in the case of a loan to one who was poor; but the general execration of usury (
Job 24:9;
Proverbs 28:8;
Ezekiel 18:13;
Ezekiel 22:12), and the description of the righteous man as "he that hath not given his money upon usury" (
Psalm 15:5;
Ezekiel 18:8), seem rather to imply that the practice, so far as Israelites were concerned, was forbidden altogether. On the other hand, it was distinctly declared (
Deuteronomy 23:20) that interest might be taken from strangers. There does not seem to have been any rate of interest which was regarded as excessive, and "usurious," in the modern sense. In Scripture usury means simply interest.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Ifאִם־(’im-)Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notyou lendתַּלְוֶ֣ה(tal·weh)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3867:To twine, to unite, to remain, to borrow, to lendmoneyכֶּ֣סֶף ׀(ke·sep̄)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701:Silver, moneyto [one of] my peopleעַמִּ֗י(‘am·mî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockamong youעִמָּ֔ךְ(‘im·māḵ)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5973:With, equally with[who is] poor,הֶֽעָנִי֙(he·‘ā·nî)Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6041:Poor, afflicted, humbleyou must notלֹא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noactתִהְיֶ֥ה(ṯih·yeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, beas a creditorכְּנֹשֶׁ֑ה(kə·nō·šeh)Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5383:To lend, borrow on security, interestto him;ל֖וֹ(lōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrewyou are not to chargeתְשִׂימ֥וּן(ṯə·śî·mūn)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 7760:Put -- to put, place, sethimעָלָ֖יו(‘ā·lāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstany interest.נֶֽשֶׁךְ׃(ne·šeḵ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5392:Interest on a, debt
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OT Law: Exodus 22:25 If you lend money to any (Exo. Ex) 
