Deuteronomy 23:19 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Charging interest on loans to fellow Israelites is forbidden.
The Context of Deuteronomy 23:19
Laws regulating lending within the covenant community.
What Does Deuteronomy 23:19 Mean?
Usury (neshekh) means charging interest or profit on a loan to a fellow covenant member. The law forbade this in all forms—whether lending money, food, or any other commodity. This protected the poor and reinforced community bonds by making loans acts of mercy rather than profit-seeking.
The repetition ('usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of anything') emphasized that the prohibition was absolute and covered all loan types. Interest-bearing loans often trapped the poor in cycles of debt, so this law freed Israelites from such exploitation within their own community.
Deuteronomy 23:19 in the Original Language
usury (נשך, neshekh) — literally 'bite' (from a root meaning to bite or sting); charging interest that 'bites' back at the borrower.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 23:19
What does Deuteronomy 23:19 mean?
Charging interest on loans to fellow Israelites is forbidden.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 23:19?
Laws regulating lending within the covenant community.