Lexical Summary
neshek: Interest, usury
Original Word:נֶשֶׁךְ
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:neshek
Pronunciation:NEH-shek
Phonetic Spelling:(neh'-shek)
KJV: usury
NASB:interest
Word Origin:[fromH5391 (נָשַׁך - To bite)]
1. interest on a debt
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
usury
Fromnashak; interest on a debt -- usury.
see HEBREWnashak
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
nashakDefinitioninterest, usury
NASB Translationinterest (10).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(literally
something bitten off); — absolute
Exodus 22:24 +; construct
Deuteronomy 23:20; — with
Exodus 22:24 (E); with
Leviticus 25:36,
Ezekiel 18:17,
Ezekiel 22:12 (no preposition),
Leviticus 25:37at interest, so
Psalm 15:5;
Ezekiel 18:8,13;
Proverbs 28:8by usury; as accusative of congnate meaning with verb
Deuteronomy 23:20 (3 t. in verse).
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Overviewנֶשֶׁךְ describes the taking of interest on a loan, figuratively a “bite” that diminishes the borrower’s life and resources. Scripture treats the practice as a moral issue, not a mere financial tool, because it reveals either mercy or exploitation toward the vulnerable.
Covenantal Prohibitions in the Torah
•Exodus 22:25 commands Israel, “If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest”.
•Leviticus 25:36–37 extends the ban to any Israelite facing poverty, grounding the ethic in reverence for God and promising blessing when the poor are upheld.
•Deuteronomy 23:19–20 differentiates between family within the covenant and foreigners: no interest may be taken from a brother, while commercial lending to outsiders is permitted. The distinction protects internal solidarity without hindering legitimate trade.
Together these texts form a comprehensive covenantal policy: covenant members are a family; charging interest to exploit a brother or sister is a violation of that family bond. This ethic is reinforced by Sabbath-year debt remission and the Year of Jubilee, creating a society where cyclical poverty is broken.
Purpose of the Commandments
1. Protect the poor from perpetual indebtedness.
2. Reflect God’s character of generosity.
3. Maintain communal equality so that land and labor remain productive for every household.
Wisdom and Worship Perspective
Psalm 15 presents the righteous worshiper, “who does not lend his money at interest” (Psalm 15:5), showing that freedom from נֶשֶׁךְ is a mark of one who may “dwell in the tent of the LORD.”Proverbs 28:8 warns, “He who increases his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for one who is kind to the poor,” portraying unjust gain as ultimately futile. Wisdom literature internalizes the Torah’s social legislation into personal ethics.
Prophetic Indictments
Ezekiel fiercely condemns interest as evidence of covenant unfaithfulness:
•Ezekiel 18:8; 18:17 identify the righteous as those who “does not lend at interest or take a profit.”
•Ezekiel 18:13 pronounces death on the man who “lends at interest and takes a profit.”
•Ezekiel 22:12 lists interest-taking beside bloodshed and idolatry, proving that economic sin invites divine judgment on the nation.
The prophets reveal that systemic exploitation, not merely private misdeeds, provoked exile.
Theological Themes
1. God’s ownership of all resources (Leviticus 25:23).
2. Mercy triumphs over exploitation (James 2:13 reflects the same principle).
3. Holiness includes financial conduct (cf.Hebrews 13:16).
Continuity in the New Covenant
While the New Testament never legislates a blanket ban on interest, the spirit of נֶשֶׁךְ shapes teaching on generosity (Luke 6:34–35) and condemns greed (1 Timothy 6:10). Early believers pooled resources so “there was no needy one among them” (Acts 4:34), embodying the Torah ideal.
Historical Practice in Israel
Extra-biblical contracts from the ancient Near East show exorbitant rates (20–50 percent). Israel’s law was counter-cultural, limiting profit to commercial, not personal, lending. By the Second Temple period, rabbis debated acceptable rates even with foreigners, illustrating ongoing tension between economic opportunity and covenant mercy.
Ministry Applications Today
• Lending ministries: Churches and Christian nonprofits can model interest-free microloans within the body of Christ.
• Financial discipleship: Teaching believers to avoid predatory gain and to extend generosity reflects God’s heart.
• Advocacy: Speaking against exploitative lending practices honors the prophetic tradition of Ezekiel.
Christological Fulfillment
Jesus, though rich, “for your sakes became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9), meeting the deepest debt of sin. His self-giving sets the pattern: the strong relieve the weak, not profit from them.
Related Concepts
• Jubilee economics (Leviticus 25).
• Forgiveness of debts (Matthew 6:12).
• Compassion for the poor (Proverbs 19:17).
In every age, the prohibition of נֶשֶׁךְ calls God’s people to reflect His generous justice, offering economic relationships that heal rather than harm.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּנֶ֑שֶׁךְ בְּנֶ֣שֶׁךְ בְּנֶשֶׁךְ֮ בַּנֶּ֣שֶׁךְ בַּנֶּ֧שֶׁךְ בנשך נֶ֕שֶׁךְ נֶ֣שֶׁךְ נֶ֤שֶׁךְ נֶ֥שֶׁךְ נֶ֧שֶׁךְ נֶֽשֶׁךְ׃ נשך נשך׃ ban·ne·šeḵ bannešeḵ banNeshech bə·ne·šeḵ bənešeḵ beNeshech ne·šeḵ nešeḵ Neshech
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