Do not take any interest or profit from himThis command is part of the broader Levitical law given to the Israelites, emphasizing social justice and compassion. The prohibition against charging interest, or usury, on loans to fellow Israelites reflects God's desire for His people to care for one another, especially the poor and needy. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, charging interest was common, but God set His people apart with this command. This principle is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as
Exodus 22:25 and
Deuteronomy 23:19-20, highlighting the importance of community support and the avoidance of exploitation.
but fear your God
The fear of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, signifying reverence, awe, and obedience to His commandments. This phrase underscores that the motivation for ethical behavior, such as not charging interest, should stem from a deep respect for God.Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," indicating that true understanding and righteous living start with acknowledging God's authority. This fear is not about terror but about recognizing God's holiness and justice, leading to a life that honors Him.
that your countryman may live among you
This phrase emphasizes the communal aspect of Israelite society, where the well-being of each individual affects the whole community. The goal is to ensure that every member of the community can live with dignity and security. This reflects the broader biblical principle of loving one's neighbor, as seen inLeviticus 19:18, which Jesus later cites as the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39). The idea is that by following God's laws, the Israelites create a society where everyone can thrive, prefiguring the kingdom of God where justice and compassion reign.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
IsraelitesThe primary audience of the Levitical laws, including the instructions in
Leviticus 25, which were given to guide their community life and ensure justice and compassion among them.
2.
MosesThe prophet through whom God delivered the laws to the Israelites. He served as the mediator between God and the people.
3.
Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The laws in Leviticus were intended to govern the Israelites' conduct in this land.
4.
Jubilee YearA significant event in Israel's calendar, occurring every 50th year, where debts were forgiven, and land was returned to original owners. This context is crucial for understanding the economic and social principles in
Leviticus 25.
5.
GodThe ultimate authority and lawgiver, whose character and holiness are reflected in the laws given to Israel.
Teaching Points
Fear of God as a Guiding PrincipleThe command to "fear your God" underscores the importance of reverence for God in ethical decision-making. Our actions towards others should reflect our respect for God's authority and character.
Community and CompassionThe prohibition against charging interest is rooted in the value of community support and compassion. Christians are called to prioritize relationships and mutual aid over personal gain.
Economic JusticeThis verse highlights God's concern for economic justice and the well-being of all community members. Believers are encouraged to advocate for fair economic practices and support those in financial distress.
Living Out Faith in Practical WaysThe practical application of faith involves tangible actions that reflect God's love and justice, such as helping those in need without expecting profit.
Trust in God's ProvisionBy not charging interest, Israelites were to trust in God's provision rather than relying on financial exploitation. Christians are similarly called to trust in God's faithfulness and provision.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 25:36?
2.How does Leviticus 25:36 guide us in treating others financially and ethically?
3.What does "fear your God" imply about our relationship with money?
4.How can Leviticus 25:36 be applied in modern financial practices?
5.Compare Leviticus 25:36 with Proverbs 22:7 on lending and borrowing principles.
6.How does Leviticus 25:36 reflect God's character and expectations for His people?
7.What does Leviticus 25:36 teach about charging interest to fellow believers?
8.How does Leviticus 25:36 reflect God's view on economic justice?
9.Why is usury prohibited in Leviticus 25:36?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 25?
11.What is the Bible's stance on usury?
12.How does “whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit” (Proverbs 28:8) align with modern banking systems that seem beneficial yet charge interest?
13.Nehemiah 5:7 suggests interest-taking was widespread despite Mosaic Law prohibitions (e.g., Exodus 22:25); how can this contradiction be reconciled?
14.Why does Numbers 36 emphasize preserving land within a tribe if elsewhere (e.g., Leviticus 25:23) all land is deemed to belong ultimately to God?What Does Leviticus 25:36 Mean
Do not take any interest or profit from himLeviticus 25:36 opens with a clear financial boundary: “Do not take any interest or profit from him”.
• The command targets situations where an Israelite brother has fallen into poverty (v. 35). God forbids turning that vulnerability into personal gain.
• This reflects a broader principle already voiced inExodus 22:25 and echoed inDeuteronomy 23:19 andPsalm 15:5—loans among covenant family must be compassionate, not exploitative.
• In practice, it protected family landholdings (vv. 25–28) and prevented generational debt.
• Jesus renews the spirit of this command inLuke 6:34–35, urging His followers to lend “expecting nothing in return.”
The verse therefore calls believers to treat needy brothers and sisters as family, not customers.
but fear your GodThe motive clause shifts the focus from money to worship: “but fear your God.”
• Every social ethic in Scripture is anchored in reverence for the LORD (Proverbs 1:7;Leviticus 19:14, 32).
• “Fear” here is not terror but a wholehearted acknowledgment of God’s authority that governs daily choices (Deuteronomy 6:13).
• Refusing interest may seem economically foolish, yet honoring God takes priority over maximizing profit (Colossians 3:23–24 supports this heart posture in the workplace).
When God’s people live by holy awe rather than market logic, their relationships become testimonies to His character.
that your countryman may live among youThe outcome is communal flourishing: “that your countryman may live among you.”
• The goal is not merely survival but full participation in Israel’s life—free from crushing debt or servitude (compareDeuteronomy 15:7–11 andIsaiah 58:6–7).
• A society shaped by mercy keeps the vulnerable within the circle of fellowship instead of pushing them to the margins (Acts 4:34–35;James 2:15–16;1 John 3:17).
• By helping a brother “live,” the lender mirrors the LORD, who brought Israel out of Egypt so they could live in the promised land (Leviticus 25:55).
The verse thus ties economic righteousness to the health of the whole covenant community.
summaryLeviticus 25:36 stitches together three inseparable threads: (1) refuse to profit from a brother’s hardship, (2) act out of holy reverence for God, and (3) aim for your neighbor’s thriving within the family of faith. Taken literally and lived out practically, the command turns finance into fellowship and converts fear of God into tangible love for people.
(36)
Take thou no usury of him, or increase.--The first thing to be done to the impoverished Israelite is to supply him with the means to recover himself without any interest. The authorities during the second Temple defined the words which are translated "usury" (
nesheck) and "increase" (
tarbith,or
marbith) as follows: If a person lends to another a shekel worth four denarii, and gets in return five denarii, or if he lends him two sacks of wheat, and receives back three, this is usury. If one buys wheat for delivery at the market price of 25 denarii a measure, and when it rises to 30 denarii he says to the vendor, "Deliver me the wheat, for I want to sell it and buy wine," and the vendor replies," I will take the wheat at 30 denarii and give thee wine for it," though he has no wine, this is increase. The "increase" lies in the fact that the vendor has no wine at the time, and that he may possibly lose again by the rise in wine. Accordingly the former is a charge upon money, whilst the latter is on products.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Do notאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Nottakeתִּקַּ֤ח(tiq·qaḥ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947:To takeany interestנֶ֣שֶׁךְ(ne·šeḵ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5392:Interest on a, debtor profitוְתַרְבִּ֔ית(wə·ṯar·bîṯ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8635:Multiplication, progenyfrom him,מֵֽאִתּוֹ֙(mê·’it·tōw)Preposition-m | Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative casebut fearוְיָרֵ֖אתָ(wə·yā·rê·ṯā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3372:To fear, to revere, caus, to frightenyour God,מֵֽאֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ(mê·’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativethat your countrymanאָחִ֖יךָ(’ā·ḥî·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 251:A brother, )may liveוְחֵ֥י(wə·ḥê)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2421:To live, to reviveamong you.עִמָּֽךְ׃(‘im·māḵ)Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5973:With, equally with
Links
Leviticus 25:36 NIVLeviticus 25:36 NLTLeviticus 25:36 ESVLeviticus 25:36 NASBLeviticus 25:36 KJV
Leviticus 25:36 BibleApps.comLeviticus 25:36 Biblia ParalelaLeviticus 25:36 Chinese BibleLeviticus 25:36 French BibleLeviticus 25:36 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Leviticus 25:36 Take no interest from him or profit (Le Lv Lev.) 
