Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Historical Context:Usury, in biblical terms, refers to the practice of charging interest on loans, particularly at exorbitant or unethical rates. In ancient times, lending and borrowing were common practices, often necessary for survival in agrarian societies. However, the ethical implications of charging interest, especially to those in dire need, were a significant concern in biblical teachings.
Old Testament References:The Old Testament provides clear guidelines regarding usury, particularly 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 directive emphasizes compassion and community support, discouraging the exploitation of the poor through interest.
Leviticus 25:35-37 further elaborates, "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." This passage underscores the importance of maintaining familial and communal bonds without the burden of financial exploitation.
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." This distinction highlights a protective measure for the Israelite community while allowing for different economic interactions with outsiders.
New Testament Insights:The New Testament does not explicitly address usury in the same manner as the Old Testament, but it continues to emphasize the principles of generosity and love. In
Luke 6:34-35 , Jesus teaches, "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 passage encourages believers to lend without expecting repayment, reflecting a spirit of selflessness and divine love.
Theological Implications:The biblical stance on usury reflects a broader theological concern for justice, mercy, and the well-being of the community. The prohibition against charging interest to fellow Israelites is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people, emphasizing mutual care and support. The teachings on usury serve as a reminder of the ethical responsibilities that accompany financial transactions, urging believers to prioritize compassion over profit.
Practical Applications:In contemporary Christian thought, the principles surrounding usury continue to inform discussions on economic justice and ethical lending practices. While modern economies operate differently from ancient Israelite society, the call to protect the vulnerable and act with integrity remains relevant. Christians are encouraged to consider the impact of their financial dealings on others, striving to reflect Christ's love and justice in all aspects of life.
Topical Bible Verses
Ezekiel 22:12In you have they taken gifts to shed blood; you have taken usury and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten me, said the Lord GOD.
Topicalbible.orgExodus 22:25
If you lend money to any of my people that is poor by you, you shall not be to him as an usurer, neither shall you lay on him usury.
Topicalbible.org
Deuteronomy 23:19
You shall not lend on usury to your brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent on usury:
Topicalbible.org
Luke 6:35
But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.
Topicalbible.org
Ezekiel 18:17
That has taken off his hand from the poor, that has not received usury nor increase, has executed my judgments, has walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
Topicalbible.org
Psalm 15:5
He that puts not out his money to usury, nor takes reward against the innocent. He that does these things shall never be moved.
Topicalbible.org
Proverbs 28:8
He that by usury and unjust gain increases his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Topicalbible.org
Ezekiel 18:8
He that has not given forth on usury, neither has taken any increase, that has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true judgment between man and man,
Topicalbible.org
Ezekiel 18:13
Has given forth on usury, and has taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be on him.
Topicalbible.org
Matthew 25:27
You ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received my own with usury.
Topicalbible.org
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The sum paid for the use of money, hence interest; not, as in the modern sense, exorbitant interest. The Jews were forbidden to exact usury (
Leviticus 25:36, 37), only, however, in their dealings with each other (
Deuteronomy 23:19, 20). The violation of this law was viewed as a great crime (
Psalm 15:5;
Proverbs 28:8;
Jeremiah 15:10). After the Return, and later, this law was much neglected (
Nehemiah 5:7, 10).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The practice of lending money at an excessive rate of interest.
2. (v. t.) Interest in excess of a legal rate charged to a borrower for the use of money.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
USURYu'-zhu-ri:
1. In the Old Testament:
The Hebrew law concerning exaction of interest upon loans was very humane. Hebrews were to lend to their brethren without interest (Exodus 22:25Leviticus 25:36Deuteronomy 23:19 f). This, however, did not apply to a stranger (Deuteronomy 23:20). Two stems are used in the Old Testament, rendered in the King James Version "usury," in the Revised Version (British and American) better rendered "interest":
(1) verb nashah (Exodus 22:25Isaiah 24:2Jeremiah 15:10), and the noun form, mashsha' (Nehemiah 5:7, 10);
(2) a stronger and more picturesque word, nashakh, "to bite," "to vex," and so "to lend on interest" (Deuteronomy 23:19, 20); noun form neshekh (Exodus 22:25Leviticus 25:36Psalm 15:5Proverbs 28:8Ezekiel 18:8, 13, 17;Ezekiel 22:12).
It would be easy to go from a fair rate of interest to an unfair rate, as seen in the history of the word "usury," which has come to mean an exorbitant or unlawful interest. Abuses arose during the exile. Nehemiah forced the people after the return to-give back exactions of "one hundredth," or 1 percent monthly which they took from their brethren (Nehemiah 5:10; compareEzekiel 22:12). A good citizen of Zion is one who did not put out his money to usury (Psalm 15:5). One who is guilty of this comes to disaster (Proverbs 28:8).
2. In the New Testament:
The Greek word is tokos, literally, "offspring," interest springing out of the principal. Money lenders were numerous among the Jews in Christ's day, and, in the parable of the Talents, He represents the lord of the unprofitable servant as rebuking the sloth in the words, "I should have received mine own with interest" (Matthew 25:27Luke 19:23 the Revised Version (British and American)).
Edward Bagby Pollard
Greek
5110. tokos -- a bringing forth, birth, fig. interest,usury... interest,
usury. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: tokos Phonetic
Spelling: (tok'-os) Short Definition: interest,
usury Definition: interest
...Strong's Hebrew
4855. mashsha -- lending on interest,usury... 4854, 4855. mashsha. 4856 . lending on interest,
usury. Transliteration:
mashsha Phonetic Spelling: (mash-shaw') Short Definition:
usury.
...5392. neshek -- interest,usury
... 5391b, 5392. neshek. 5393 . interest,usury. Transliteration: neshek Phonetic
Spelling: (neh'-shek) Short Definition: interest....usury....
8636. tarbith -- increment, interest,usury
... 8635, 8636. tarbith. 8637 . increment, interest,usury. Transliteration: tarbith
Phonetic Spelling: (tar-beeth') Short Definition: increase....
5391. nashak -- to bite
... bite, lend uponusury A primitive root; to strike with a sting (as a serpent);
figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan -- bite, lend uponusury....
5378. nasha -- to beguile, deceive
... 3), deluded (1), utterly deceived (1). debt, exact, giver ofusury. A
primitive root (perhaps identical with nasha', through the...
5383. nashah -- to lend, become a creditor
... 1), make the loan (1). creditor, exact, extortioner, lend, usurer, lend
on taker onusury. A primitive root (rather identical with...
Library
Excursus onUsury.
... Excursus onUsury. The famous canonist Van Espen definesusury thus: "Usura
definitur lucrum ex mutuo exactum aut speratum;" [96...
Whether it is a Sin to TakeUsury for Money Lent?
... (E) BY SINS COMMITTED IN LOANS (Q ) Whether it is a sin to takeusury
for money lent? Objection 1: It would seem that it is not...
Concerning Loans Prohibition ofUsury and the Usurious Spirit. The...
... In Which Tertullian Pursues His Argument. Jesus is the Christ of the Creator. Chapter
XVII."Concerning Loans Prohibition ofUsury and the Usurious Spirit....
That we must not TakeUsury.
... That we must not takeusury. In the thirteenth Psalm: [4429] "He that hath not given
his money uponusury, and has not received gifts concerning the innocent....
Whether a Man is Bound to Restore Whatever Profits He Has Made Out...
... (E) BY SINS COMMITTED IN LOANS (Q ) Whether a man is bound to restore whatever
profits he has made out of money gotten byusury?...
Whether it is Lawful to Borrow Money under a Condition ofUsury?
... (E) BY SINS COMMITTED IN LOANS (Q ) Whether it is lawful to borrow money
under a condition ofusury? Objection 1: It would seem...
They who are of the Sacerdotal Order Ought not to Lend and Receive...
... Canon IV. They who are of the sacerdotal order ought not to lend and receive
usury?... A priest is not to receiveusury nor hemioli??....
A Bishop, or Presbyter, or Deacon who ReceivesUsury...
... Canon X. A bishop, or presbyter, or deacon who receivesusury?... A bishop, presbyter,
or deacon who takesusury shall be deposed unless he stops doing so....
Forasmuch as Many Enrolled among the Clergy, Following...
... among the Clergy, following covetousness and lust of gain, have forgotten the divine
Scripture, which says, "He hath not given his money uponusury," and in...
By Sins Committed in Loans
... OF THE SIN OFUSURY (FOUR ARTICLES) We must now consider the sin ofusury, which
is committed in loans: and under this head there are four points of inquiry:...
Thesaurus
Usury (17 Occurrences)... The Jews were forbidden to exact
usury (Leviticus 25:36, 37), only, however, in
their dealings with each other (Deuteronomy 23:19, 20).
...USURY.
...Victuals (32 Occurrences)
... (ASV WBS). Leviticus 25:37 Thou shalt not give him thy money uponusury, nor
lend him thy victuals for increase. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)....
Usurious (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Practicingusury; taking illegal or exorbitant
interest for the use of money; as, a usurious lender....
Loan (9 Occurrences)
... At a later period of the Hebrew commonwealth, when commerce increased, the practice
of exactingusury or interest on loans, and of suretiship in the commercial...
Lend (21 Occurrences)
... lend" (Deuteronomy 24:11 Jeremiah 15:10); nashah (same root as last, though different
verb stem, Hiphil), "to cause to bite," "lend onusury" (Deuteronomy 15:2...
Interest (35 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew words are usually translated "usury," but this meant the same as interest,
all interest being reckoned asusury.... See alsoUSURY. JJ Reeve....
Banking
... (3) "Usury" in English Versions of the Bible is simply Old English for what we today
call "interest," ie the sum paid for the use of money, Latin usura; and...
Debt (48 Occurrences)
...Usury was strongly condemned (Proverbs 28:8; Ezek.... We read of bankers, exchangers,
moneychangers, interest, investments,usury (Matthew 25:16-27 John 2:13-17)....
Bank (28 Occurrences)
... (3) "Usury" in English Versions of the Bible is simply Old English for what we today
call "interest," ie the sum paid for the use of money, Latin usura; and...
Lender (4 Occurrences)
... as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as
with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker ofusury, so with...
Resources
What is usury in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian use a credit card? | GotQuestions.orgThe Christian and Money ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgUsury: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
